ADVANCED CLINICALS Retinol Advanced Firming Cream
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing10 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Retinol Advanced Firming Cream”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, butylene glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, isopropyl myristate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: paraffinum liquidum
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Quantity Buy now with Shop Pay Buy with Description Retinol Advanced Firming Cream reduces the visible signs of aging as it helps replenish your moisture barrier.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinol, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamateMedium risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Paraffinum liquidum~6.1–9.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumCetearyl alcohol~3.2–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate se~2.5–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seIsopropyl myristate~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateGlycerin~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinButylene glycol~1.4–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCeteareth-20~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Caprylic/capric triglyceride~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideRetinol~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractAnthemis nobilis flower extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that one one hand, can contain compounds that can help calm down skin irritation, but, on the other hand, its other compounds (especially fragrant ones) can themselves be irritating
More about Anthemis nobilis flower extractAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerDisodium edta~0.15–0.65%
Maltodextrin~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Paraffinum liquidum, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate se, Isopropyl myristate, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Ceteareth-20, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Retinol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Anthemis nobilis flower extract, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Disodium edta, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium hydroxide
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Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ADVANCED CLINICALSRetinol Advanced Firming CreamYOUR PRODUCT | BiopelleEmepelle Night Cream | RevuelleMultivitamin weather barrier cream baby | Elizabeth ArdenGreen Tea Honey Drops Body Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 78% | 78% |
| Price | $4.99 | $195.00+$190.01 | — | $16.33+$11.34 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Lactic Acid | Chondrus Crispus Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Judging from the ingredient list, "ADVANCED CLINICALS - Retinol Advanced Firming Cream" works well for improving skin hydration To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. ADVANCED CLINICALS - Retinol Advanced Firming Cream ticks this box. Glycerin, butylene glycol and caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Paraffinum liquidum, isopropyl myristate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl alcohol and caprylyl glycol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 0.85% - 1.25%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily. Because of the irritation risk of Retinoids, we recommend to have another, retinoid-free moisturizer in your routine to use on the alternate days or when your skin feels dry.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 4.99$ up to 29.99$ in the United States, for 94.09A$ in Australia and for 37.43£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oilncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2
- 3
- 4Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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