Works for
Anti-agingRetinol, Niacinamide + 1 moreWorks well
“Cos De BAHA Retinol 2.5 Serum contains Vitamin E and Retinol to provide anti-aging effects.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol, niacinamide.
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Sodium hyaluronate + 2 moreWorks well
“Reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": sodium hyaluronate, aloe barbadensis leaf extract.
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: niacinamide
Evens skin toneRetinol, Niacinamide + 1 moreWorks well
“Improves skin texture and uneven skin tone.”
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 niacinamide. 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-oxidationSide benefit · Retinol, Tocopheryl acetate + 2 moreWorks 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).
ExfoliationSide benefit · RetinolWorks 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: retinol.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Retinol, Niacinamide + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, retinol. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Retinol, Rosa damascena extract + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~23–34%
- 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 extractRetinol~5.5–8.2%
- 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 RetinolSodium hyaluronate~4.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateNiacinamide~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about Niacinamide1,2-hexanediol~0.4–0.95%
Polysorbate 20~1.7–2.6%
Tocopheryl acetate~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Tocopheryl acetateRosa damascena extract~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractLavandula angustifolia flower extract~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Essential oil that can be irritating
More about Lavandula angustifolia flower extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.4–0.9%
- 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 extractMelissa officinalis leaf extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is added for its fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Melissa officinalis leaf extractArtemisia vulgaris extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It can be irritating
More about Artemisia vulgaris extractDisodium edta~0.05–0.25%
Ingredient list view
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Retinol, Sodium hyaluronate, Niacinamide, 1,2-hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Tocopheryl acetate, Rosa damascena extract, Lavandula angustifolia flower extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Artemisia vulgaris extract, Disodium edta
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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.
| Cos De BAHARetinol 2.5 SerumYOUR PRODUCT | MedicubePDRN Pink Exosome Shot Serum 2000 | HydroPeptideRetinol Routine Booster | SKIN&LABVitamin C Brightening Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 84% | 83% | 83% |
| Price | — | $3.38 | $78.87 | $13.89 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 | Retinyl Linoleate | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dr Dennis Gross DRx BioRejuvenation SerumPCA SKIN Intensive Age Refining Treatment 0.5 Percent Pure Retinol Night
Product summary
"Cos De BAHA - Retinol 2.5 Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Exfoliation and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.50% - 5.20%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 5.50% - 8.20%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 4.10% - 6.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 21.50A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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