PRODUCT REVIEW
Functionalab Retinol + Serum
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Able to repair problematic and photodamaged skin, it reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and blemishes.
retinol
0.45% -
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
rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract
0.25% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
The skin is rapidly rejuvenated and hydrated and photodamage is repaired to deliver youthful, healthy, glowing skin.
retinol
0.45% -
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
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1.9% -
2.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
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
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Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
SERUM | 30 m L RETINOL 1%, VITAMINS E AND C Reduces the damage caused by photoaging Evens out complexion and softens the skin Reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots and imperfections Offers protection against environmental factors All skin types Ideal for all skin types and conditions, this clarifying, vitamin-enriched serum evens skin tone and smooths the skin's surface.
retinol
0.45% -
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
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1.9% -
2.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
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
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
The action of pure retinol stimulates the natural process of exfoliation getting rid of dead skin cells and impurities, which has the effect of improving other active ingredient absorption for maximum results.
retinol
0.45% -
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?
The skin is rapidly rejuvenated and hydrated and photodamage is repaired to deliver youthful, healthy, glowing skin.
vitis vinifera seed oil
0.4% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
caprylic/capric triglyceride
4.2% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
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Anti-oxidation
retinol
0.45% -
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
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1.9% -
2.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
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
vitis vinifera seed oil
0.4% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A great emollient that can also have anti-oxidant properties
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Exfoliation | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1.9% -
2.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
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
retinol
0.45% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation,
Mattifying,
Anti-oxidation
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
0.3% -
0.55%
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
User reviews (0)
Similar products & dupes
| Functionalab - Retinol + Serum |  SKIN&LAB - Vitamin C Brightening Serum Sponsored |  SVR - [A] Ampoule Lift Smoothing Concentrate |  SkinMedica - Retinol Complex 1.0 |  Dermadoctor - Kakadu C 1% Retinol + 12% C, Ferulic Acid & E Complex |  Plaisir - Renewing Retinol Booster Serum | SKIN&LAB - Vitamin C Brightening Serum |  CeraVe - Skin Renewing Retinol Serum |  No7 - Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate |  Cyrène Skincare - Retical Retinol 0.05 Serum |  Dr Naomi Skin - Vitamin Amen |  NassifMD Dermaceuticals - Night Time Age-Defying Concentrated Vitamin C Serum | |
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| WIMJ similarity score |
79%
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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HIGH
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HIGH
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
retinol
0.45% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation,
Mattifying,
Anti-oxidation
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
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1.9% -
2.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
Potential irritants
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
1.9% -
2.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
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
retinol
0.45% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Exfoliation,
Mattifying,
Anti-oxidation
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
0.3% -
0.55%
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
All ingredients
glycerin
4.4% -
5.3%
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
caprylic/capric triglyceride
4.2% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glyceryl stearate, Neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Shea butter ethyl esters, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Peg-100 stearate, Isododecane, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl dilaurate, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Steareth-21, Tocopheryl acetate, Vitis vinifera seed oil, Disodium lauriminodipropionate tocopheryl phosphates, Palmitoyl tripeptide-8, Cichorium intybus root extract, Sodium hydroxide, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Inulin lauryl carbamate, Steareth-2, Ethylhexylglycerin, Peg-75 stearate, Butylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Pentaerythrityl tetra-di-t-butyl hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Xanthan gum, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Behentrimonium chloride, Sucrose laurate, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Disodium edta, Dextran, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Phenoxyethanol
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Antioxidant Ability and Stability Studies of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a Cosmetic Tyrosinase Inhibitor
- Final report on the safety assessment of aluminum silicate, calcium silicate, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, magnesium trisilicate, sodium magnesium silicate, zirconium silicate, attapulgite, bentonite, Fuller's earth, hectorite, kaolin, lithium magnesium silicate, lithium magnesium sodium silicate, montmorillonite, pyrophyllite, and zeolite
- Extracellular matrix in cutaneous ageing: the effects of 0.1% copper-zinc malonate-containing cream on elastin biosynthesis
- 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
- Allergic contact dermatitis induced by rosemary leaf extract in a cleansing gel
- Safety Assessment of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Rosmarinus officinalis Extract Suppresses Propionibacterium acnes–Induced Inflammatory Responses
- 5: Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Steareth-2,-4,-6,-7,-10,-11,-13,-15, and-20
- Safety Assessment of Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate as Used in Cosmetics