Works for
Anti-agingRetinal, TocopherolWorks well
“Once converted, Retinal helps the skin cells to produce more collagen and other structural elements, making the skin more youthful, firm and elastic.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinal.
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.
Evens skin toneRetinalWorks well
“A-Game is a smart-aging must-have, but it is also useful as an adjacent product for fading pigmentation, as well as helping acne-prone skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinal.
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-blemishRetinal, AllantoinWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinal. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
ExfoliationAllantoinNot delivered
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Panthenol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 7 moreWorks well
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:
biosaccharide gum-1, 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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, oleyl erucate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: RetinalMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~8–9.8%
- 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 triglycerideOleyl erucate~5–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Oleyl erucateGlycerin~3.3–4.1%
- 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 GlycerinTriheptanoin~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A synthetic triglyceride. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriheptanoinCetearyl olivate~2–2.5%
Sorbitan olivate~1.7–2.1%
Panthenol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolEctoin~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinCellulose~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
More about CelluloseAllantoin~0.6–0.9%
- 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 AllantoinRetinal~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal 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. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
More about RetinalBiosaccharide gum-1~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Tocopherol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about TocopherolTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.65%
- 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 acetateHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerCitric acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidDisodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Oleyl erucate, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Panthenol, Ectoin, Cellulose, Allantoin, Retinal, Biosaccharide gum-1, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetate, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Citric acid, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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.
| Geek GorgeousA-Game 20YOUR PRODUCT | ArenciaRetinal Booster Shot | celimaxThe Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster | Dieux SkinFirm Revival HydroRetinal Firming Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 84% | 82% | 82% |
| Price | $25.80 | $13.61−$12.19 | $16.93−$8.87 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 6 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Hexapeptide-9 | Niacinamide | Linoleic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Theramid A-RetinoateKSECRET - SEOUL 1988 Advanced Shot : Retinal Liposome 12% + Black Rice
Product summary
"Geek & Gorgeous 101 - A-Game 20" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinal 0.65% - 0.95%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.50% - 1.80%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Humectants (biosaccharide gum-1 0.50% - 0.75%, panthenol 1.50% - 1.80% and glycerin 3.30% - 4.10%). 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 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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