
“A gentle yet effective retinol serum that smooths fine lines, refines skin texture, and delivers a radiant glow.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains hydroxypinacolone retinoate, adenosine, niacinamide.
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.
“Infused with Niacinamide and Tranexamic Acid to enhance brightness and even skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
In addition, this product contains niacinamide, tranexamic acid. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
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.
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:
betaine, 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: chondrus crispus extract, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: hydroxypinacolone retinoate, niacinamide. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideAn 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 SqualaneAn amino acid that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone. It can also help in skin barrier recovery. It is used to treat melasma, especially with injections and when taken orally
More about Tranexamic acidA type of silicone that helps create a silky product finish and dissolve other ingredients
More about Methyl trimethiconeUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolOne 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 GlycerinHelps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated ethylhexyl olivateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineActs as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolUsed to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideA non-drying alcohol that helps stabilize product formulations
More about C14-22 alcoholsAn active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolA 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 acetateRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus extractA gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateHelps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateHelp soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiablesSugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractHelps water and oil mix together
More about C12-20 alkyl glucosideHelps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerA derivative of the most potent form of vitamin A, retinoic acid. The ingredient can be sold under name Granactive Retinoid. Note that if a skincare brand discloses the concentration of Granactive Retinoid in a product, the concentration refers to a diluted form of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate: 1% of Granactive Retinoid corresponds to 0.1% of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate. Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) is a unique derivative of retinoic acid because it can directly work in the skin and does not require additional conversion steps. According to studies done by the manufacturer on models of human skin (not real people), this derivative is more effective than other cosmetic versions of retinoids (such as retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate), and, at the same time, causes less irritation. It has been also demonstrated to be more stable than retinol which makes formulating with easier and increases the chances that a product with it will maintain its effectiveness after opening. The packaging should still ideally be air-tight. HPR is available over the counter in the EU, UK, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, but is only with a prescription in Canada.
More about Hydroxypinacolone retinoateUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumMight help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineAn emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidHelps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidHelps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin, calm down inflammation and irritation, restore the barrier function and support wound healing. It can be helpful in reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Beta-glucanPure 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 TocopherolWater, Butylene glycol, Niacinamide, Squalane, Tranexamic acid, Methyl trimethicone, Pentylene glycol, Glycerin, Hydrogenated ethylhexyl olivate, Betaine, Propanediol, Dimethyl isosorbide, C14-22 alcohols, Bisabolol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl acetate, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol, Chondrus crispus extract, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables, Saccharum officinarum extract, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, 1,2-hexanediol, Carbomer, Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan gum, Adenosine, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Sorbitan isostearate, Sodium hyaluronate, Paeonia suffruticosa root extract, Beta-glucan, Tocopherol
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.Reju-AllAdvanced Retino-Mela SerumYOUR PRODUCT | ROUND LABCamellia Deep Collagen Ampoule | IOPEExpert Retinol RX 2% Reti-Jection Serum for Wrinkles | StackedSkincareAdvanced Retinol Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 85% | 78% |
| Price | $31.90 | $16.93−$14.97 | $54.00+$22.10 | $29.99−$1.91 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 6 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Np | Retinol | Ferulic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Beauty Pie Super Retinal Rejuvenating Serumepii HPR Pro Shot
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 30 studies and safety reviews.
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