Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Key Ingredients Retinol expedites skin renewal to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections Sodium Hyaluronate retains moisture deep within skin layers to increase suppleness and elasticity Sodium PCA delivers hydration and boosts skin's natural retention ability”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: retinyl acetate.
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.
Anti-blemish1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“If you're looking for a facial treatment that will improve your complexion's texture and tone while minimizing breakouts, you'll love Cos Medix Refine.”
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.
Moisturizing12 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Refine Moisturiser”
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:
galactoarabinan, glycerin.
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: dimethicone, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Alcohol + 5 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.
Water~40–60%
Hamamelis virginiana water~5.3–8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterGlycerin~3.4–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 GlycerinAlcohol~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholSodium lactate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateRetinyl acetate~1.6–2.5%
Sodium pca~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaRetinol~1.2–1.8%
- 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 RetinolGalactoarabinan~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GalactoarabinanHydroxyproline~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is helpful in restoring skin barrier function supporting its moisture levels. Is claimed to stimulte collagen production in skin but evidence is lacking
More about HydroxyprolineSqualane~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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.
More about SqualaneCassia angustifolia seed polysaccharide~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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)
More about Cassia angustifolia seed polysaccharideSorbitol~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilProline~0.2–0.8%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateGlucuronolactone~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.4%
Dimethicone~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeAniba rosaeodora wood oil~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilCarbomer~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerSodium hydroxymethylglycinate~0.05–0.15%
Polysorbate 20~0.05–0.15%
Citric 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, Hamamelis virginiana water, Glycerin, Alcohol, Sodium lactate, Retinyl acetate, Sodium pca, Retinol, Galactoarabinan, Hydroxyproline, Squalane, Cassia angustifolia seed polysaccharide, Sorbitol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Proline, Sodium hyaluronate, Glucuronolactone, Potassium sorbate, Dimethicone, Aniba rosaeodora wood oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Carbomer, Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, Polysorbate 20, Citric acid
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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.
| CosMedixRefine MoisturiserYOUR PRODUCT | NaturiumRetinol Complex Cream | PRIORI SkincarePRIORI Q+ SOD - Moisturizing Cream | BlissYouth Got This Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 90% | 90% | 89% |
| Price | $66.00 | $15.99−$50.01 | $158.63+$92.63 | $27.76−$38.24 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 12 | 5 of 12 | 6 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Bakuchiol | Lactic Acid | Anhydroxylitol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5
- 6
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