BFFECT Granactive Retinoid Emulsion 2% + GABA Serum
Works for
Anti-agingHydroxypinacolone retinoate, Aminobutyric acidWorks well
“Rely on the anti-aging power of retinoid, GABA (amino acids) and bisabolol (chamomile extract) from this emulsion to soothe blemishes, improve skin elasticity, promote cell turnover, fade dark spots and refine rough skin!”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
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 toneHydroxypinacolone retinoateWorks well
“Rely on the anti-aging power of retinoid, GABA (amino acids) and bisabolol (chamomile extract) from this emulsion to soothe blemishes, improve skin elasticity, promote cell turnover, fade dark spots and refine rough skin!”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
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-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Hydroxypinacolone retinoateWorks well
“Rely on the anti-aging power of retinoid, GABA (amino acids) and bisabolol (chamomile extract) from this emulsion to soothe blemishes, improve skin elasticity, promote cell turnover, fade dark spots and refine rough skin!”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: hydroxypinacolone retinoate. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Diethylhexyl carbonate + 3 moreWorks
“Oat kernel oil- contains essential fatty acids, due to which this oil helps to soothe sensitive and damaged skin and nourish the skin.”
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:
aminobutyric acid, caprylyl 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: simmondsia chinensis seed oil, diethylhexyl carbonate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Hydroxypinacolone retinoateMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
This product helped me clear my acne and fade difficult scars which were caused by an allergic reaction (mint...salicylic acid). It's not irritating and quite moisturising. 10/10
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propanediol~4.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~3.6–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilDimethyl isosorbide~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbidePolyacrylate-13~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Polyacrylate-13Diethylhexyl carbonate~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Diethylhexyl carbonatePolyisobutene~1.3–1.9%
Aminobutyric acid~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Has been shown to support wound healing and skin barrier function when used topically in rats. Is likely to be effective in supporting skin's hydration and barrier function, but research for human skin is missing. Might have some anti-aging properties but the research is missing
More about Aminobutyric acidPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydroxypinacolone retinoate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A derivative of the most potent form of vitamin A, retinoic acid. The ingredient can be sold under name Granactive Retinoid. Note that if a skincare brand discloses the concentration of Granactive Retinoid in a product, the concentration refers to a diluted form of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate: 1% of Granactive Retinoid corresponds to 0.1% of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate. Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) is a unique derivative of retinoic acid because it can directly work in the skin and does not require additional conversion steps. According to studies done by the manufacturer on models of human skin (not real people), this derivative is more effective than other cosmetic versions of retinoids (such as retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate), and, at the same time, causes less irritation. It has been also demonstrated to be more stable than retinol which makes formulating with easier and increases the chances that a product with it will maintain its effectiveness after opening. The packaging should still ideally be air-tight. HPR is available over the counter in the EU, UK, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, but is only with a prescription in Canada.
More about Hydroxypinacolone retinoateBisabolol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Sodium polyacrylate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateXanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAvena sativa kernel oil~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel oilPolysorbate 20~0.1–0.35%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateCaprylyl glycol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCitric acid~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Dimethyl isosorbide, Polyacrylate-13, Diethylhexyl carbonate, Polyisobutene, Aminobutyric acid, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, Bisabolol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium polyacrylate, Xanthan gum, Avena sativa kernel oil, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan isostearate, Caprylyl glycol, Citric acid
Compare prices
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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.
| BFFECTGranactive Retinoid Emulsion 2% + GABA SerumYOUR PRODUCT | The Garden Of WisdomGranactive Retinoid 5% Serum | Nø CosmeticsMulti Purpose Retinol Serum | THE ROUTEThe Golden Rule - Next Generation Retinoid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 82% | 81% | 81% |
| Price | $25.89 | $29.48+$3.59 | — | $85.00+$59.11 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Ergothioneine | Glycine Soja Oil | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in SqualaneJosh Rosebrook Active Infusion Oil
Product summary
"BFFECT - Granactive Retinoid Emulsion 2% + GABA Serum" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): hydroxypinacolone retinoate 0.15% - 0.55%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- Humectants (aminobutyric acid 1.10% - 1.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
Price
The product retails for 2499.99KSH in Kenya and from 17.37$ up to 25.89$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Wound healing activity of gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in ratspubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Moisturizing effect of Gamma-aminobutyric acid for cosmetic applicationam-2017.weebly.com
- 6Stimulation of human fibroblast collagen synthesis in vitro by gamma-aminobutyric acidpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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