Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-aging
- Moisturizing
- Anti-oxidation
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Product Summary
"Caudalie - Instant Firming Retinol Alternative Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging and Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- Peptides (acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester 0.25% - 0.50%). 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. They 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.
- Adenosine 0.30% - 0.55%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
- Humectants (hyaluronic acid 0.35% - 0.60%, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid 0.35% - 0.65% and glycerin 4.20% - 5.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Works for
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
This potent, yet gentle formula leaves skin looking more youthful without irritation. Suitable for all skin types.
Source: N/A
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester.
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.
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
An extract from grape plant that can contain a potent antioxidant resveratrol. The manufacturer (Caudalie) claims that this particular extract is effective against hyperpigmentation. This effect would be explained by the resveratrol content. However, there is no independent research confirming the manufacturer's claim beside the potential for anti-oxidant activity
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Formulated with Caudalie’s exclusive patented blend of Resveratrol, Hyaluronic Acid & Vegan Collagen 1, it is 3x more effective than retinol to firm and lift the appearance of the skin.
Source: N/A
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, hyaluronic acid.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
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
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (palmitoyl grapevine shoot extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
An extract from grape plant that can contain a potent antioxidant resveratrol. The manufacturer (Caudalie) claims that this particular extract is effective against hyperpigmentation. This effect would be explained by the resveratrol content. However, there is no independent research confirming the manufacturer's claim beside the potential for anti-oxidant activity
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Caudalie Instant Firming Retinol Alternative Serum | Current | $-1.00 | |
 Kiehl's Retinol Skin Renewing Daily Micro Dose Serum Duo | 61% | - | |
La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Serum | 59% | $41.99 | |
Algenist ELEVATE Firming & Lifting Contouring Serum | 59% | - | |
 APRIL SKIN 40% Collagen Peptide Plumping Serum | 58% | $20.90 | |
 Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Fix Facial Serum Roller Uplift & Firm | 57% | $78.00 |
Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Hexyldecanol, Hexyldecyl laurate, Squalane, Tocopheryl acetate, Unknown, Potassium phosphate, Palmitoyl grapevine shoot extract, C20-22 alcohols, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Sodium dehydroacetate, Hyaluronic acid, Adenosine, Sodium hydroxide, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Pentylene glycol, Sodium phytate, Khaya senegalensis bark extract, Maltodextrin, Linalool, Limonene, Paeonia lactiflora root extract, Coumarin, Nicotiana benthamiana hexapeptide-40 sh-polypeptide-47
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- Potent antioxidative activity of Vineatrol30 grapevine-shoot extract
- Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care
- Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egypt
- Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin
- Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countries
- Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans
- Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic review
- 4 Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
- Evaluation of anti-wrinkle efficacy of adenosine-containing products using the FOITS technique
- The skin-depigmenting potential of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin: in vitro evaluation using reconstructed pigmented human epidermis