Azure Skincare

Azure Skincare Hyaluronic and Retinol Facial Serum

Name: Azure Skincare - Hyaluronic and Retinol Facial Serum
Brand: Azure Skincare

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-aging

Retinol, Beta-glucan

Works well

What the product description says

“Hyaluronic Acid hydrates skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Source: Target

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.

RetinolHeroEffect: HighTwo 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~0.4–0.9%

Beta-glucanEffect: LowHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles~1.2–1.8%

Moisturizing

Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl urea + 8 more

Works well

What the product description says

“PRODUCT BENEFITS: Anti-aging formula helps moisturize and rejuvenate skin.”

Source: Target

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.2–0.75%

Hydroxyethyl ureaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighA derivative of urea, a compound that is naturally present in skin. Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients~3.4–5.1%

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.7–4%

BetaineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~2.1–3.1%

Beta-glucanKey activeEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles~1.2–1.8%

CollagenKey activeEffect: MediumCannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products~0.9–1.35%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.15–0.5%

Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~4.7–7%

Glyceryl polymethacrylate· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowUsed to create a nice product texture~1.6–2.5%

Aloe barbadensis leaf extract· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowTraditionally 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~0.85–1.3%

Evens skin tone

Retinol

Works well

What the product description says

“Retinol helps even skin tone and lightens appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.”

Source: Target

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.

In addition, this product contains hydroxyethyl urea. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.

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-oxidation

Side benefit · Retinol, Beta-glucan

Works well

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).

RetinolKey activeEffect: HighTwo 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~0.4–0.9%

Anti-blemish

Side benefit · Retinol, Beta-glucan

Works well

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.

Exfoliation

Side benefit · Hydroxyethyl urea, Retinol

Works well

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: hydroxyethyl urea, retinol.

Hydroxyethyl ureaKey activeEffect: HighA derivative of urea, a compound that is naturally present in skin. Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients~3.4–5.1%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Retinol

Medium risk

We flagged 4 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~4.7–7%est.

RetinolTwo 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 irritatingHigh~0.4–0.9%est.

Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTraditionally 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 skinMedium~0.85–1.3%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Propylene glycol~4.7–7%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol

Hydroxyethyl urea~3.4–5.1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

ExfoliationMoisturizing

A derivative of urea, a compound that is naturally present in skin. Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients

More about Hydroxyethyl urea

Glycerin~2.7–4%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Glycerin

Betaine~2.1–3.1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Betaine

Glyceryl polymethacrylate~1.6–2.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Used to create a nice product texture

More about Glyceryl polymethacrylate

Beta-glucan~1.2–1.8%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryReduces irritationMoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-blemish

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles

More about Beta-glucan

Collagen~0.9–1.35%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products

More about Collagen

Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.85–1.3%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

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 extract

Retinol~0.4–0.9%

Hero · Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemishIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Evens skin toneAnti-agingMattifyingExfoliationAnti-oxidationAnti-blemish

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 Retinol

Panthenol~0.2–0.75%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.5%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Xanthan gum~0.05–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum

Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Ingredient list view

Water, Propylene glycol, Hydroxyethyl urea, Glycerin, Betaine, Glyceryl polymethacrylate, Beta-glucan, Collagen, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Retinol, Panthenol, Sodium hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol

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Target1.69 fl oz

$8.99

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	Azure SkincareHyaluronic and Retinol Facial SerumYOUR PRODUCT	SKIN&LABVitamin C Brightening Serum	ilsoER Firming Serum 30ml	Biovène BarcelonaADVANCED RETINOL Extra Smoothing Facial Serum Treatment
Match	—	93%	93%	91%
Price	$8.99	$13.89+$4.90	$24.54+$15.55	$13.32+$4.33
Shared key ingredients	—	6 of 7	6 of 7	5 of 7
Key difference	—	Niacinamide	Niacinamide	Vitamin C
Irritancy	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

More alternatives: Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum Kiehl's Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing 0.3% Retinol Night Serum

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Product summary

"Azure Skincare - Hyaluronic and Retinol Facial Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Exfoliation and Anti-blemish

This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 0.40% - 0.90%. 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.
Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.15% - 0.50%, hydroxyethyl urea 3.40% - 5.10%, glycerin 2.70% - 4.00% and betaine 2.10% - 3.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.