Alpha-H might be familiar to those who keep a close eye on cutting-edge skincare, but for anyone who hasn’t yet stumbled upon this Aussie brand, here’s a quick blast of what it promises through its intriguingly named Beauty Sleep Power Peel. According to Alpha-H, this night cream is designed to exfoliate, rejuvenate, and repair your skin while you catch some z’s, thanks to a blend of 14% Glycolic Acid and 0.5% Retinol, among other active goodies. Over the course of a week, I put it on nightly to figure out if it’s truly deserving of your hard-earned money.
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of my experience, here’s a quick disclaimer: this is not a paid or sponsored review, and my opinions are entirely my own. Everyone’s skin is different, so it’s worth noting that your mileage may vary when it comes to results.
What Is Beauty Sleep Power Peel?
Beauty Sleep Power Peel is a night cream by Alpha-H formulated to work while you sleep. Night creams in general are designed to support your skin overnight, taking advantage of the body’s natural repair cycle to address issues like dullness, dehydration, and signs of aging. Alpha-H’s version emphasizes exfoliation and rejuvenation, featuring 14% Glycolic Acid to help clear away dead surface cells, and 0.5% Retinol to support new collagen and elastin production. These ingredients aim to brighten skin, reduce blemishes, and gradually minimize the appearance of scars or dark spots.
Classified as a high-strength treatment, it’s meant to be used at bedtime so that the potent actives have hours to get to work before you start your day. The brand positions it as a multi-purpose product, tackling common concerns such as fine lines, uneven texture, and clogged pores, with the convenience of a single application. Essentially, it’s a concentrated overnight option for those who want a more intensive approach to their nightly routine.
Did It Work?
I pressed pause on my usual night cream for the seven days I tried Beauty Sleep Power Peel, quite the scientific approach, if I do say so myself. Each evening, I applied a pea-sized amount after cleansing, making sure to avoid my eye area. From the very first night, I sensed a light tingle (probably the glycolic acid) that subsided quickly. I woke up to my skin feeling a bit smoother, though nothing too dramatic on day one.
By the halfway mark, I started to see a gentle brightening effect. My skin looked a little more refined, especially around the nose and chin, where I often get clogged pores. I also noticed that my T-zone seemed less dull than usual. There was a slight dryness on my cheeks from time to time, likely the retinol at play, so I followed up with a soothing moisturizer on a few mornings to keep any flaking at bay.
By the final day, my complexion appeared slightly more even-toned, and some minor blemishes I had seemed to heal a touch faster than normal. Overall, the product did live up to most of its promises: it gently exfoliated, reduced some congestion, and gave my skin a more rested look. Still, while I’m happy with the results, it didn’t entirely blow me away or edge out other formulas I love. I’d give it a solid 7/10, but I’m not racing to add it to my permanent skincare lineup just yet.
Beauty Sleep Power Peel’s Main Ingredients Explained
This powerful night cream relies on a blend of Glycolic Acid and Retinol to do most of the heavy lifting. Glycolic Acid (14%) is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps slough off any lurking dead skin cells. This gentle resurfacing action not only brightens your complexion but also paves the way for the other ingredients, like Retinol (0.5%), to dive deeper and work more effectively. Retinol, a form of Vitamin A, is widely hailed for helping to boost collagen production and soften the look of fine lines, which is great for anyone keen on addressing signs of aging.
Alongside these powerhouse actives, you’ll see oils and butters such as Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (jojoba) and Butyrospermum Parkii (shea), as well as Mangifera Indica (mango) seed butter. These add some much-needed hydration and moisture, especially as exfoliating ingredients can be drying if used too frequently. There’s also Vitis Vinifera (grape) seed oil, known for its antioxidant properties, and tanacetum annuum (blue tansy) flower oil that may help calm reactive skin types.
The formula appears to be largely plant-based, but Retinol sources can vary, so it’s worth confirming with Alpha-H if the product is fully suitable for vegans. Still, from the ingredient list, there aren’t any obvious animal-derived components, so vegetarians are likely in the clear. As for those concerned about breakouts, none of the main oils in here are considered highly comedogenic (meaning they’re not known to clog pores), though everyone’s skin behaves a bit differently. Finally, it’s worth noting the inclusion of wheat flour-derived brighteners (“Axolight”) and algae extracts, which add unique skin-supporting benefits and help enhance the formula’s overall rejuvenating effect.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
Here’s a quick overview of the positives and points to keep in mind if you’re considering Beauty Sleep Power Peel:
What Works Well:
- Provides a gentle exfoliation that helps refine skin texture
- Feels comfortable on most nights, with minimal dryness
- Encourages brighter, more even-looking skin over time
- Contains nourishing plant oils and butters to help balance the actives
What to Consider:
- The potency of Glycolic Acid and Retinol may be too much for very sensitive skin
- Routine layering with a soothing moisturizer could be necessary for dryness
- Effectiveness is noticeable but not dramatically life-changing
- The presence of “Parfum” may not appeal to those who prefer fragrance-free formulas
My Final Thoughts
After a solid week of nightly use, Beauty Sleep Power Peel managed to check a few crucial boxes for me: it gently refined my skin texture, helped brighten my overall complexion, and offered some noticeable exfoliation benefits overnight. Comparatively speaking, it wasn’t a magical skin-transformer, but it did enough to stand out, just not enough to dethrone the other night creams I’ve tried over the years. The rating still lands at a respectable 7/10, and I wouldn’t discourage anyone seeking a potent exfoliating cream from giving it a go. I found it relatively easy to incorporate into my routine, though it leaned a bit heavy on tingly acids and retinol, so sensitive skin folks might tread carefully.
This product is best suited for people who are comfortable with intermediate-level chemical exfoliation. If your skin can handle both glycolic acid and retinol without too much fuss, you might appreciate how it streamlines multiple active ingredients into one step. However, if you’re very sensitive or only just dipping your toes into retinol territory, the Power Peel’s formula might be a little aggressive at first. For me, the results were real enough that I’d recommend it to a skincare-curious friend who’s ready to level up their overnight routine but aware that it’s still not a one-stop solution for everyone.
Alpha-H’s bold claims about “plumped and glowing” skin do come with a tinge of nighttime fairytale flair, but I can’t deny that the retinol and acids do work when used consistently. The brand’s statement about collagen and elastin production might raise an eyebrow or two, but in truth, these ingredients are known to help with skin renewal, just don’t expect fleeting youth in a jar.
In my search for perfect sleep-time skincare, I’ve tested plenty of decent alternatives. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is an excellent all-rounder that feels incredibly nourishing, has minimal fuss, and is accessible price-wise for most budgets. Another favorite of mine is the Bouncy & Firm Sleeping Mask by LANEIGE, which offers deeply hydrating benefits without feeling overly rich, I love how it plumps my skin by morning. If you’re dealing with mature or drier complexions, Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Night by Eucerin provides a marked boost in firmness and hydration levels. And for anyone craving a luxurious, all-in-one blend of actives, Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep by IT Cosmetics is a superb option that glides on comfortably and has never disappointed me in the glow department.
Finally, a few parting words of caution: as with any potent active product, do a patch test first to make sure there are no negative surprises lurking in the wings. Maintaining visible results often demands sticking with the product for longer than a week, and any improvements you see can require regular upkeep to remain noticeable. In other words, the night cream fairy won’t swoop in and magically fix everything overnight, consistency and patience are always key.