What happens to our skin at night?

Our skin runs on a circadian rhythm, a natural 24-hour clock that regulates biological functions. During the day, skin focuses on defence, protecting us from UV, pollution, and environmental stressors. At night, it switches into repair mode, regenerating and restoring itself. These rhythms influence everything from DNA repair to collagen synthesis, barrier strength, and hydration.

But there’s a challenge. While the skin is renewing itself, its barrier becomes weaker at night. This means transepidermal water loss, the evaporation of water through the skin, is at its highest, especially between 11pm and 4am. The skin is more permeable, which makes it more receptive to active ingredients, but also more vulnerable to dehydration and irritation if not supported properly.

As we get older, the skin’s internal clock becomes less precise. The repair signals aren’t as strong. Melatonin levels, which act as a natural overnight antioxidant fall. Cell turnover slows and collagen synthesis weakens. This means our skin doesn’t recover as efficiently overnight, and signs of ageing like lines, dullness, and loss of firmness become more visible.

This is why targeted nighttime skincare is essential to support regeneration, lock in moisture and strengthen the skin while you sleep.

 

How does Age Benefit Night Renewal Cream work?

At the heart of the Gatineau Age Benefit Night Renewal Cream are three revolutionary ingredients, each carefully chosen to target different aspects of skin ageing and repair. One ingredient to synchronise and optimise the circadian rhythm, one to restore firmness and elasticity, and one to smooth lines by stimulating renewal.

RegenightTM

As we get older, our melatonin levels naturally drop. This is important because melatonin has a protective role in the skin. It helps repair DNA, protects against environmental stress, regulates the skin barrier and keeps inflammation under control.

RegenightTM reactivates that pathway in the skin, helping to bring back what time takes away. It supports regeneration overnight by strengthening the barrier, improving hydration, boosting antioxidant defences and stimulating collagen.

The overall effect is skin that is healthier at a molecular level and looks more rested and refreshed by morning

 

NEPHORIATM

This is plant derived alternative to retinol. It comes from the rambutan leaf, where a powerful youth molecule called corilagin is concentrated fifteen-fold.

NEPHORIATM is rich in this molecule, which helps maintain collagen balance and stimulates elastin production. That means smoother skin with better elasticity.

It goes further by acting not only on the production of collagen and elastin fibres but also on how those fibres are properly assembled, strengthening the skin’s structural network.

So, with a retinol like action, NEPHORIATM delivers renewal, reduces fine lines and restores firmness, while remaining gentle and very well tolerated.

 

PLANKTON EXTRACT

This is a true marine biotech powerhouse. Our skin is a strong protective shield, but its balance is fragile. When it is stressed, its natural regeneration slows, and we start to see a loss of tone and firmness.

Plankton extract helps to counter this by reducing the activity of enzymes known as MMP2 and MMP3, which are responsible for breaking down collagen, elastin and barrier proteins. By calming that process, it helps the skin repair itself and restores its natural balance.

It also rebuilds Lumican levels, which reorganise the extracellular matrix, boosting elasticity and firmness.

At the same time, it reinforces and rebuilds the skin matrix at the molecular level, tightening and firming while keeping the skin hydrated, supple and radiant.

 

 Dr. Derrick Phillips