Works for
Anti-agingLactic acid ~0.2–0.4%Under-dosed
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Evens skin toneLactic acid ~0.2–0.4%Under-dosed
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
ExfoliationLactic acid ~0.2–0.4%Under-dosed
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Glycine soja oil + 11 moreWorks
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.
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: squalane, glycine soja oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy19 flagged ingredients — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.7–5.7%
- 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 GlycerinGlycine soja oil~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilGlyceryl stearate~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateChlorella vulgaris extract~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
More about Chlorella vulgaris extractDipentaerythrityl pentaisononanoate~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCeteareth-20~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Propanediol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAcacia senegal gum~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture
More about Acacia senegal gumSqualane~0.75–1.15%
- 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 SqualaneTocopherol~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolXanthan gum~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumEthylhexylglycerin~0.5–0.7%
Allantoin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCetearyl alcohol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCetyl palmitate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateCeteareth-12~0.4–0.6%
Avena sativa kernel oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel oilTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 acetateDisodium edta~0.25–0.5%
Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize the product formulation
More about Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonateLecithin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideLactic acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidSodium chloride~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideSaccharomyces lysate extract filtrate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alpha-isomethyl ionone~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeCoumarin~0.15–0.3%
Cinnamyl alcohol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Limonene~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.15–0.25%
Citronellol~0.1–0.2%
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCi 17200~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Glycine soja oil, Glyceryl stearate, Chlorella vulgaris extract, Dipentaerythrityl pentaisononanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ceteareth-20, Propanediol, Acacia senegal gum, Squalane, Tocopherol, Xanthan gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl palmitate, Ceteareth-12, Avena sativa kernel oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Disodium edta, Diethylhexyl syringylidenemalonate, Lecithin, Sodium hydroxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Lactic acid, Sodium chloride, Saccharomyces lysate extract filtrate, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Coumarin, Cinnamyl alcohol, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Parfum, Ci 17200
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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.
| DermacolBio RetinolYOUR PRODUCT | IOPERetinol Expert 0.3% | TopicalsFaded Brightening & Clearing Serum Mini | Lise WatierAge Control Supreme Sublime Advanced Night Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 42% | 41% | 40% |
| Price | — | $79.00 | $33.63 | $92.89 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11 | Azelaic Acid | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0ZO Skin Health Exfoliation Accelerator
Product summary
"Dermacol - Bio Retinol" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (glycerin 4.70% - 5.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 4
- 5Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
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