Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about Nocturnal Skincare, our products, and your order. Can't find what you're looking for? Email us at [email protected].
About Nocturnal
What is Nocturnal Skincare?
Nocturnal Skincare is a luxury skincare brand built around the science of your skin's circadian rhythm, the natural 24-hour cycle that shapes how skin protects itself by day and renews itself by night. Our formulas are designed for skin's nighttime repair window, and our aesthetic is rooted in Japandi, a blend of Japanese and Scandinavian design. Nocturnal was founded in 2024 in Los Angeles by Daniel Kiyoi and Katey Hassan, and our products have been recognized in the Real Simple Beauty Awards and the Robb Report Grooming Awards. See our press coverage.
What is circadian skincare?
Circadian skincare means matching your routine to your skin's 24-hour rhythm: protective products in the morning, reparative treatment products at night, when skin cell renewal activity is at its peak. Read our full guide to circadian skincare.
What does Japandi mean?
Japandi combines the Japanese and Scandinavian design traditions: simplicity, natural materials, quiet beauty and everyday ritual. It shapes everything from our packaging to our ingredients, which draw on Japanese formulation expertise and resilient Nordic botanicals.
Polar Night Renewal Serum
What is Polar Night Renewal Serum?
Polar Night Renewal Serum is a circadian night serum that releases gold-encapsulated peptides, 2.5% niacinamide and Nordic oat lipids gradually throughout the night. In a six-week third-party clinical study of 30 participants, skin firmness increased 43% and skin moisture increased 20%.
How do I use Polar Night?
Each night, cleanse your face, then apply 2 pumps to face and neck as your first step. Follow with moisturizer or oil.
How long does a bottle of Polar Night last?
A 30mL bottle is about a 4-week supply and a 15mL bottle is about a 2-week supply, based on 2 pumps nightly.
Can I use Polar Night in the morning?
Polar Night is designed for your nighttime routine, when skin is in its natural repair phase. It can also be used in the morning as part of your daytime routine. Always follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day.
Can I use Polar Night with retinol or other actives?
Yes. Polar Night is formulated to be gentle and compatible with potent actives, including its niacinamide at a skin-friendly 2.5%. If you use prescription retinoids, follow your dermatologist's guidance on layering, and introduce one new product at a time.
Is Polar Night suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes. Polar Night is fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested, and it is formulated for all skin types, including sensitive skin. As with any new product, we recommend a patch test first.
What is the Okosu™ delivery system?
Okosu™ is our patent-pending transepidermal delivery system. It encapsulates fragile signal peptides in colloidal gold and pairs them with carrier peptides, protecting them from breakdown and releasing them gradually throughout the night.
Is the Polar Night bottle refillable?
Yes. Polar Night comes in a refillable glass bottle. When you run out, twist a Polar Night Refill into the pump, place it in your glass bottle, and recycle the refill cartridge when it's empty.
Spring Awakening Japanese Cleansing Powder
What is Spring Awakening?
Spring Awakening is a water-activated Japanese powder cleanser made with three enzymes (papain, protease and lipase), Japanese rice powder and three gentle amino-acid cleansers. Add water and the powder transforms into a soft, cushioning cream that lifts buildup, excess oil and daily impurities without scrubbing.
Is Spring Awakening an exfoliator?
Not in the traditional sense. It's a daily cleanser that provides gentle enzymatic exfoliation as you cleanse, with no abrasive particles or harsh acids.
How long does a bottle of Spring Awakening last?
About 2½ to 3 months when used once daily as directed.
How do I use Spring Awakening with Polar Night?
At night, cleanse with Spring Awakening, then apply Polar Night as your first treatment step, followed by moisturizer. Together they make up our Renewal Ritual.
Ingredients and Values
Are your products fragrance-free?
Yes. Both Polar Night Renewal Serum and Spring Awakening Japanese Cleansing Powder are fragrance-free.
Are your products vegan?
Yes. All Nocturnal formulas, including Polar Night Renewal Serum and Spring Awakening Japanese Cleansing Powder, are 100% vegan. Polar Night is also never tested on animals.
What are your products formulated without?
Polar Night is formulated without parabens, fragrance, mineral oil, triclosan and gluten.
Where are your products made?
Polar Night Renewal Serum is made in the USA. Spring Awakening Japanese Cleansing Powder was developed, formulated and made in Japan. Our refillable glass bottles are crafted in Italy.
Orders and Returns
What is your return policy?
For orders in the US and Canada, you can return unused or gently used products within 14 days of purchase. A $5.95 return fee is deducted from your refund, and orders that shipped free are also charged $7.99 for return shipping. Original shipping charges are not refundable. Please allow up to 21 business days for processing. See our full shipping and returns policy.
How do I contact customer service?
Email us at [email protected]. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time, and we aim to respond within 24 to 48 hours. Emails sent over the weekend are answered the following Monday.