grace & stella Restoring Retinol Serum
Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
“To enhance brightness and improve tone, niacinamide helps minimize the appearance of pores and revitalizes dull, tired skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
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: retinyl palmitate.
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-agingNiacinamide, Retinyl palmitate + 2 moreWorks well
“The retinoid works to visibly reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture while supporting natural collagen production for firmer, more youthful-looking skin.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl hexapeptide-8, retinyl palmitate.
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Panthenol + 13 moreWorks well
“Hyaluronic acid floods the skin with deep hydration, instantly plumping and softening for that smooth, supple feel that lasts all day.”
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:
arginine, biosaccharide gum-1.
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: arginine, ricinus communis seed oil.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-8, ceramide np, niacinamide, panthenol
ExfoliationRetinyl palmitateNot delivered
This product might help exfoliate the skin with retinyl palmitate, but This ingredient is not the most effective.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl palmitate
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Retinyl palmitateMedium 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~40–60%
Glycerin~4.4–6.5%
- 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is 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 NiacinamideTrehalose~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseButylene glycol~2.2–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 glycolPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilSodium hyaluronate~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePropylene glycol~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolPanthenol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidRetinyl palmitate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitate1,2-hexanediol~0.35–0.85%
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarbomer~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerArginine~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineHydroxyacetophenone~0.2–0.7%
Ricinus communis seed oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Ricinus communis seed oilSodium polyglutamate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydroxyethylcellulose~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.1–0.45%
Polysorbate 80~0.15–0.5%
Ceramide np~0.15–0.5%
- 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 npEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.4%
Biosaccharide gum-1~0.1–0.35%
- 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-1Decylene glycol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to creat a nice product texture and support penetration of other ingredients
More about Decylene glycolOctanediol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl caprylate~0.1–0.3%
- 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 caprylateTocopherol~0.05–0.15%
- 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 TocopherolAcetyl 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, Niacinamide, Trehalose, Butylene glycol, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Sodium hyaluronate, Propylene glycol, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Retinyl palmitate, 1,2-hexanediol, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Arginine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ricinus communis seed oil, Sodium polyglutamate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Polysorbate 80, Ceramide np, Ethylhexylglycerin, Biosaccharide gum-1, Decylene glycol, Octanediol, Glyceryl caprylate, Tocopherol, 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.
| grace & stellaRestoring Retinol SerumYOUR PRODUCT | VegreenFragrance-FreeNature Mucin Serum | mixsoonBuy Mixsoon Premium Centella Asiatica Serum \in Australia - Korean Skincare and Cosmetics | MEDI-PEELLuminous Silk Oil Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 91% | 89% |
| Price | $14.95 | $14.23−$0.72 | $53.67+$38.72 | $30.20+$15.25 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 12 | 6 of 12 | 7 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Acetyl Octapeptide-3 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Carenology 95 RE:BLUE Deep Concentrate AmpouleElishacoy Kombucha Gyeol-Biome Ampoule
Product summary
"grace & stella - Restoring Retinol Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Moisturizing and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.70% - 5.60%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.55% - 1.30%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- Ceramides (ceramide np 0.15% - 0.55%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
- Peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.05% - 0.10%). 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.
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 1.20% - 1.80%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Humectants (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.05% - 0.10%, biosaccharide gum-1 0.10% - 0.35%, arginine 0.30% - 0.70%, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid 1.00% - 1.50%, panthenol 1.20% - 1.80%, trehalose 2.80% - 4.20% and glycerin 4.40% - 6.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "grace & stella" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
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- 3
- 4
- 5Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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