Functionalab Retinol 0,5% Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneRetinol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidWorks well
“This advanced treatment helps diminish the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores, while refining skin texture and imperfections for a younger-looking face and a more even, luminous skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic 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.
MoisturizingCaprooyl phytosphingosine, Ceramide np + 14 moreWorks well
“These essential lipids work in synergy with a powerful natural source of hyaluronic acid to ensure optimal hydration.”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cholesterol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: caprooyl phytosphingosine, ceramide np
Anti-agingRetinol, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Retinol 0.5% is a high-performance serum made with pure encapsulated retinol, specially formulated to reduce the first visible signs of aging and reveal a more radiant complexion.”
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.
ExfoliationSide benefit · 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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Retinol + 4 moreWorks 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).
The following ingredients - 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Retinol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractWorks well
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.6–5.6%
- 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 GlycerinVitis vinifera seed oil~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
More about Vitis vinifera seed oil3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidShea butter ethyl esters~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Shea butter ethyl estersGlyceryl stearate~2–2.5%
- 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 stearateNeopentyl glycol diheptanoate~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Neopentyl glycol diheptanoateDicaprylyl carbonate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.3–1.5%
- 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 triglyceridePeg-100 stearate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateIsododecane~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneGlyceryl dilaurate~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Glyceryl dilaurateHydrolyzed plukenetia volubilis seed extract~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Steareth-21~0.6–0.9%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.5–0.8%
- 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 acetateRetinol~0.5–0.75%
- 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 RetinolInulin lauryl carbamate~0.45–0.7%
Methylglucoside phosphate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Copper lysinate/prolinate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cichorium intybus root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractCholesterol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolCaprooyl phytosphingosine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A component of ceramides. 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 Caprooyl phytosphingosineCeramide np~0.3–0.6%
- 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 npSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateButyrospermum parkii butter~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
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
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateCetyl alcohol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.5%
Polysorbate 20~0.3–0.55%
Steareth-2~0.3–0.55%
Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPeg-75 stearate~0.2–0.35%
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAcrylates/acrylamide copolymer~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to increase stability of product formulations
More about Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamateParaffinum liquidum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mineral oil. One of the most effective and well studied occlusive and emollient moisturizing ingredients. Helps reduce moisture loss in skin and repair skin barrier function
More about Paraffinum liquidumCeteth-20~0.25–0.5%
Steareth-20~0.2–0.35%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.15%
Sorbic acid~0.05–0.15%
Behentrimonium chloride~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sucrose laurate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Sucrose lauratePolysorbate 85~0.05–0.1%
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Benzoic acid~0.05–0.1%
Dehydroacetic acid~0.05%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Vitis vinifera seed oil, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Shea butter ethyl esters, Glyceryl stearate, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Peg-100 stearate, Isododecane, Glyceryl dilaurate, Hydrolyzed plukenetia volubilis seed extract, Steareth-21, Tocopheryl acetate, Retinol, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Methylglucoside phosphate, Copper lysinate/prolinate, Cichorium intybus root extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Cholesterol, Caprooyl phytosphingosine, Ceramide np, Sodium hyaluronate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Cetyl alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Steareth-2, Caprylyl glycol, Peg-75 stearate, Xanthan gum, Acrylates/acrylamide copolymer, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Paraffinum liquidum, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Disodium edta, Sorbic acid, Behentrimonium chloride, Sucrose laurate, Polysorbate 85, Sodium hydroxide, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Phenoxyethanol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| FunctionalabRetinol 0,5% SerumYOUR PRODUCT | The Purest SolutionsYouth Radiant Renewal Retinol Serum | Ella BachéRetinol Night Treatment Serum | PRCeretin Serum Age-Defying Concentrate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 78% | 73% | 72% |
| Price | ≈ $94.68 | $6.63≈ −$88.05 | $105.85≈ +$11.17 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 12 | 6 of 12 | 5 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Ceramide Eop |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Goodal Black Carrot Vita-A Retinol Firming AmpouleDr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster Deluxe
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Allergic contact dermatitis induced by rosemary leaf extract in a cleansing gelpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.