PRODUCT REVIEW
Dr. Brandt 2% Retinol Complex Serum
Buy from Amazon Australia A$189.20
More options from: $69.00
Price as of 2/6/2023 14:47 GMT.
More info
Add to Compare
Cheaper alternatives
What can the product work for?
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
An overnight serum that harnesses the power of a time-released 2% retinol complex to improve firmness, texture and tone while reducing the look of wrinkles, blemishes and pores, so you awake to a brighter, revitalized complexion.
retinol
0.35% -
0.65%
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-aging
What does the product description say?
Dr. Brandt's 2% Retinol Complex Serum is an immediate and long-term release of a 2% retinol complex that works the night shift to improve skin texture and tone, counteract dullness, and soften the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores.
retinol
0.35% -
0.65%
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
butyrospermum parkii butter
2% -
2.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
tocopherol
1.1% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Dr. Brandt's 2% Retinol Complex Serum is an immediate and long-term release of a 2% retinol complex that works the night shift to improve skin texture and tone, counteract dullness, and soften the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores.
retinol
0.35% -
0.65%
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
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Meanwhile, a synergistic combination of lemon tree honey, phospholipids and an amino-acid derived from sugarbeets creates a veil over the skin that simultaneously delivers and seals in moisture.
triheptanoin
1.4% -
1.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
betaine
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
butyrospermum parkii butter
2% -
2.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
Show more
Exfoliation
retinol
0.35% -
0.65%
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
0.35% -
0.65%
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
butyrospermum parkii butter
2% -
2.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
tocopherol
1.1% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
93/100.
Buy now
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
US Retailers
AU Retailers
Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
retinol
0.35% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Mattifying,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone
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
Comodogenic ingredients
butyrospermum parkii butter
2% -
2.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
glycine soja oil
0.15% -
0.25%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
User reviews (0)
Similar products & dupes
| Dr. Brandt - 2% Retinol Complex Serum |  Oz Naturals - 2.5 Retinol Acid Serum Sponsored |  Sothys - Cosmeceutique RX Retinol Dermobooster |  innisfree - Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum |  CeraVe - Skin Renewing Retinol Serum |  SVR - ABC Ampoule Lift A |  No7 - Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate |  Ella Baché - Retinol Night Treatment Serum |  PCA SKIN - Intensive Age Refining Treatment 0.5 Percent Pure Retinol Night |  Exuviance Professional - 0.3% Retinol Serum |  The INKEY List CA - Retinol Serum |  Riversol - New: Retinol Treatment | |
| Price | ||||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
80%
|
91%
|
87%
|
86%
|
86%
|
86%
|
86%
|
86%
|
86%
|
86%
|
85%
| |
| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: |
| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
|
| Potential Irritants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| All ingredients |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
retinol
0.35% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Mattifying,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone
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
tocopherol
1.1% -
1.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
Potential irritants
retinol
0.35% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Mattifying,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone
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
Comodogenic ingredients
butyrospermum parkii butter
2% -
2.4%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
glycine soja oil
0.15% -
0.25%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
All ingredients
glycerin
4.7% -
5.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
dicaprylyl carbonate
4.1% -
5.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Isoamyl laurate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Shea butter cetyl esters, Triheptanoin, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Behenyl alcohol, Methylpropanediol, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Polysorbate 20, Sodium acrylates copolymer, Retinol, Glyceryl stearate, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Xanthan gum, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-3 stearate, Citrus paradisi peel oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Limonene, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Lecithin, Glycine soja sterols, Hydrogenated lecithin, Maslinic acid, Lysolecithin, Phenylpropanol, Bht, Sodium phytate, Dimethiconol, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Mel, Honey, Pectin, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-10 stearate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glycine soja oil
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Acrylates Copolymer and 33 Related Cosmetic Ingredients
- 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
- Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel on the safety assessment of Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene as used in cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Polyglyceryl Fatty Acid Esters as Used in Cosmetics
- Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care
- Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egypt
- Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin