PRODUCT REVIEW
Cosmedica 2.5% Retinol Facial Serum
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Price as of 2/11/2023 2:47 GMT.
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What can the product work for?
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
5% Retinol Serum contains active retinol, a powerful form of Vitamin A, and offers the ultimate targeted correction of discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles with visible results.
retinol
1.2% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.5% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
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
hyaluronic acid
4.2% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
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
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Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
5% Retinol Serum contains active retinol, a powerful form of Vitamin A, and offers the ultimate targeted correction of discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles with visible results.
retinol
1.2% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.5% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
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
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Retinol and hyaluronic acid combine to boost collagen and balance hydration.
triticum vulgare germ oil
1% -
1.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).
cassia angustifolia seed polysaccharide
6.2% -
7.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is sometimes referred to as "natural" hyaluronic acid (even though hyaluronic acid is not unnatural and is present in human skin)
glycerin
2.1% -
2.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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Anti-blemish
retinol
1.2% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.5% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
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
centella asiatica extract
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
Exfoliation
retinol
1.2% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
Anti-oxidation
retinol
1.2% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
camellia sinensis extract
0.45% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
Tea extract. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.5% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
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
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
91/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
hamamelis virginiana water
3% -
3.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
hamamelis virginiana extract
2.4% -
2.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
triticum vulgare germ oil
1% -
1.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).
carrageenan
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
User reviews (0)
Similar products & dupes
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
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HIGH
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HIGH
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HIGH
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
centella asiatica extract
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory,
Moisturizing,
Reduces redness,
Reduces irritation,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
retinol
1.2% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Mattifying,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
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
Show more
Potential irritants
hamamelis virginiana water
3% -
3.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
hamamelis virginiana extract
2.4% -
2.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
triticum vulgare germ oil
1% -
1.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).
carrageenan
0.2% -
0.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
All ingredients
cassia angustifolia seed polysaccharide
6.2% -
7.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is sometimes referred to as "natural" hyaluronic acid (even though hyaluronic acid is not unnatural and is present in human skin)
hyaluronic acid
4.2% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Cassia angustifolia seed polysaccharide, Hyaluronic acid, Hamamelis virginiana water, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Aloe barbadensis extract, Retinol, Triticum vulgare germ oil, Triticum vulgare germ, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Camellia sinensis extract, Propolis extract, Centella asiatica extract, Equisetum arvense extract, Taraxacum officinale extract, Geranium maculatum extract, Hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Unknown, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin
Sources
- Safety Assessment of Polysaccharide Gums as Used in Cosmetics
- Anaphylaxis Due to Senna (Cassia angustifolia)
- Contact Burn with Blister Formation in Children Treated with Sennosides
- Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans
- Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic review
- Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy of Topical Preparations with 10% Hamamelis Distillate in a UV Erythema Test
- Anti-inflammatory activity of hamamelis distillate applied topically to the skin
- ASSESSMENT REPORT ON HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA L., CORTEX HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA L., FOLIUM HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA L., FOLIUM ET CORTEX AUT RAMUNCULUS DESTILLATUM
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
- Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)
- A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Propolis: A Wonder Bees Product and Its Pharmacological Potentials
- Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Titrated Extract of Centella asiatica in Phthalic Anhydride-Induced Allergic Dermatitis Animal Model
- Centella asiatica in cosmetology
- Triterpene Composition and Bioactivities of Centella asiatica
- Asiaticoside induction for cell-cycle progression, proliferation and collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts
- Assessment report on Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, herba
- Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overview
- The Effects of a Standardized Extract of Centella asiatica on Postlaser Resurfacing Wound Healing on the Face: A Split-Face, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
- Dandelion Extracts Protect Human Skin Fibroblasts from UVB Damage and Cellular Senescence