Avène Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Professional Cream
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing7 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Complete with a soothing blend of Hyaluronic acid and Thermal Spring Water, the anti-ageing gel delivers a veil of essential moisture to skin, leaving the complexion soft and calm.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride, oenothera biennis oil.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: oleoyl dipeptide-15, oleoyl tetrapeptide-31
Anti-aging4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Benefits Retrin AL 0.1 Intensive Cream RENEWS Visibly smoothes and reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles and furrows Skin appears plump and firm with even skin tone while brightening the skin DEFENDS Provides antioxidant protection and helps neutralize free radicals”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinal.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: oleoyl dipeptide-15, oleoyl tetrapeptide-31.
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.
Evens skin tone1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Benefits Retrin AL 0.1 Intensive Cream RENEWS Visibly smoothes and reduces the appearance of deep wrinkles and furrows Skin appears plump and firm with even skin tone while brightening the skin DEFENDS Provides antioxidant protection and helps neutralize free radicals”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinal.
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinal. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: RetinalMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Triethylhexanoin~8.8–10.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriethylhexanoinCyclopentasiloxane~5–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneCeteareth-20~3.4–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Polymethyl methacrylate~2.7–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to enhance product texture and can help to optically mask skin imperfections
More about Polymethyl methacrylateCeteareth-33~2.3–2.8%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2–2.5%
- 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 triglycerideAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerBenzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Bht~1.1–1.4%
Caramel~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Mica~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaOenothera biennis oil~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about Oenothera biennis oilOleoyl dipeptide-15~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Oleoyl dipeptide-15Oleoyl tetrapeptide-31~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Oleoyl tetrapeptide-31Phenoxyethanol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCi 17200~0.35–0.6%
Retinal0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal 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. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
More about RetinalSilica~0.35–0.65%
Sodium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Titanium dioxide~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideTocopherol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolTocopheryl glucoside~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Antioxidant that helps stabilize product formulations and, if used in higher concentration, might help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Tocopheryl glucosideIngredient list view
Water, Triethylhexanoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Polymethyl methacrylate, Ceteareth-33, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Benzoic acid, Bht, Caramel, Disodium edta, Mica, Oenothera biennis oil, Oleoyl dipeptide-15, Oleoyl tetrapeptide-31, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 17200, Retinal, Silica, Sodium hydroxide, Titanium dioxide, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl glucoside
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Worth comparing, line by line.
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.
| AvèneRetrinal 0.1 Intensive Professional CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Eau Thermale AveneYstheal Anti-Wrinkle Emulsion | GlossierUniversal Pro-Retinol | AbsoricaRetinal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 79% | 63% | 62% |
| Price | $56.00 | $42.00−$14.00 | $35.00−$21.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 1 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Mineral Oil | Betaine | Mineral Oil |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Avène - Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Professional Cream" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Moisturizing, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinal 0.10% (declared). Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily. Because of the irritation risk of Retinoids, we recommend to have another, retinoid-free moisturizer in your routine to use on the alternate days or when your skin feels dry.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (oleoyl tetrapeptide-31 0.45% - 0.70% and oleoyl dipeptide-15 0.55% - 0.80%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. Peptides might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
Price
The product retails from 56.00$ up to 79.00$ in the United States.
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Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 5
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