Works for
Evens skin toneRetinolWorks well
“Reduces the appearance of sunspots, fine lines, and wrinkles”
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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, LecithinWorks well
“The addition of Vitamin B5 provides deep moisture, leaving the skin more even, smooth, and youthful.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": panthenol.
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: panthenol
Anti-agingRetinolWorks well
“The addition of Vitamin B5 provides deep moisture, leaving the skin more even, smooth, and youthful.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
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-blemishRetinolWorks well
“A must-have for any anti-ageing routine, this booster increases elasticity and cell turnover, while minimising the effects of UV-induced skin damage and acne.”
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · RetinolWorks 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).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: RetinolMedium 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%
Propanediol~4.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolBabassu oil glycereth-8 esters~3.1–4.6%
Polysorbate 20~2.4–3.6%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPanthenol~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolBenzyl alcohol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholEthylhexylglycerin~0.85–1.25%
Lecithin~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinRetinol~0.35–0.85%
- 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 RetinolDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.3%
Bht~0.05–0.1%
Bha~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Babassu oil glycereth-8 esters, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Benzyl alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Retinol, Dehydroacetic acid, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Sodium hydroxide, Bht, Bha
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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.
| Cowshed8% Retinol Complex BoosterYOUR PRODUCT | Skin NutritionsDouble Strength Retinol Night Repair Serum | DermaceuticActiv Retinol 1.0 | Formula 10.0.6In The Deep Vitamin A Nourishing Retinol Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 95% | 94% | 94% |
| Price | — | $28.86 | $63.56 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: NUTRISHE Advanced Retinol Concentrated Serum X Danang WisnuSKIN&LAB Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 2
- 3
- 4Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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