Works for
MoisturizingCeramide eop, Ceramide np + 20 moreWorks well
“Ectoin and Allantoin can have soothing, antioxidant, and intensely moisturizing effects. It's absolutely amazing!”
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, lactic acid.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8, ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide np, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, phytosphingosine
Evens skin toneLactic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid
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-agingLactic acid, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 + 3 moreMay help
“The combination of active ingredients consisting of 0.05% retinal, 5 peptides, and soothing agents such as 10% pre, and postbiotics is specifically designed to improve skin elasticity, counteract fine lines and wrinkles, and provides a foundation to combat impurities.”
This product contains acetyl hexapeptide-8, lactic acid, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Anti-blemishPhytosphingosine, AllantoinNot delivered
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Lactic acid, AllantoinWorks 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: lactic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.8%
- 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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate~3.2–4.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearateEctoin~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinLactic acid~2–3%
- 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 acidSclerotium gum~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumChondrus crispus~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispusXanthan gum~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolyglyceryl-10 stearate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together and softens the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-10 stearatePolyglyceryl-6 behenate~0.85–1.25%
Propanediol~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCaprylyl glycol~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolGlyceryl caprylate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateSqualane~0.35–0.85%
- 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 SqualaneLecithin~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinCeramide eop~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eopCeramide np~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npCeramide ap~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide apCholesterol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolPhytosphingosine~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
More about PhytosphingosineAllantoin~0.1–0.45%
- 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~0.15–0.6%
- 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 alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.15–0.55%
- 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 stearateHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.1–0.45%
- 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 oilC18-36 acid triglyceride~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-1Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7Acetyl hexapeptide-8~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl hexapeptide-8Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, Ectoin, Lactic acid, Sclerotium gum, Chondrus crispus, Xanthan gum, Polyglyceryl-10 stearate, Polyglyceryl-6 behenate, Propanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Glyceryl caprylate, Squalane, Lecithin, Ceramide eop, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Allantoin, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, C18-36 acid triglyceride, Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, Acetyl hexapeptide-8
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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.
| Dr. Emi ArpaAbsolut A Retinal SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Makeup Artists' ChoiceTransforming Anti Aging Serum V2 | DRMTLGYNeedle-less Serum | Dr Dennis GrossDermInfusions Fill + Repair Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 50% | 49% | 47% |
| Price | — | — | $69.00 | $72.36 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 15 | 8 of 15 | 11 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | Bakuchiol | Niacinamide | Colloidal Oatmeal |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Daughters of Malay Post-Breakout Recovery SerumEqqualberry Bakuchiol Plumping Serum
Product summary
"Dr Emi Arpa - Absolut A Retinal Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 2.00% - 3.00%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Ceramides (phytosphingosine 0.15% - 0.65%, ceramide ap 0.20% - 0.70%, ceramide np 0.30% - 0.75% and ceramide eop 0.35% - 0.80%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- Peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.05% - 0.10%, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.05% - 0.25%, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 0.05% - 0.20% and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.10% - 0.35%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that theynare helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
- Humectants (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.05% - 0.10%, lactic acid 2.00% - 3.00% and glycerin 3.90% - 5.80%). 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5
- 6
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