Works for
Anti-agingHydroxypinacolone retinoate, Ascorbyl palmitate + 2 moreWorks well
“The highly concentrated dry oil combines a next-generation anti-ageing retinoid complex (1%), vitamin C and E, Amazonian oils and deep-sea red algae to smooth, even and brighten the skin.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
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 toneHydroxypinacolone retinoateWorks well
“The highly concentrated dry oil combines a next-generation anti-ageing retinoid complex (1%), vitamin C and E, Amazonian oils and deep-sea red algae to smooth, even and brighten the skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
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-blemishSide benefit · Hydroxypinacolone retinoateWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: hydroxypinacolone retinoate. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Algae extract + 2 moreWorks
“The highly concentrated dry oil combines a next-generation anti-ageing retinoid complex (1%), vitamin C and E, Amazonian oils and deep-sea red algae to smooth, even and brighten the skin.”
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:
algae extract.
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, algae extract.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 strong irritants: Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, Parfum + 10 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateEthoxydiglycol~5.8–8.7%
Ascorbyl palmitate~5.1–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateHydroxypinacolone retinoate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A 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 retinoateTocopheryl acetate~2.8–4.2%
- 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 acetateOenocarpus bataua fruit oil~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Euterpe oleracea fruit oil~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that might help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Euterpe oleracea fruit oilAlgae extract~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.3–1.9%
- 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 triglycerideDimethyl isosorbide~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideC12-15 alcohols~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.5–1.2%
- 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 TocopherolParfum~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeBenzyl benzoate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateBenzyl cinnamate~0.15–0.7%
Benzyl salicylate~0.15–0.6%
Citral~0.1–0.45%
Citronellol~0.1–0.4%
Eugenol~0.1–0.35%
Geraniol~0.1–0.35%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalLimonene~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, Tocopheryl acetate, Oenocarpus bataua fruit oil, Euterpe oleracea fruit oil, Algae extract, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dimethyl isosorbide, C12-15 alcohols, Tocopherol, Parfum, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl cinnamate, Benzyl salicylate, Citral, Citronellol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Limonene
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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.
| Hand ChemistryRetin-OilYOUR PRODUCT | The Chemistry BrandRetin-Oil Body Oil | The OrdinaryGranactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane | Raz SkincareA-Retinoid 5% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 76% | 76% |
| Price | — | — | $10.80 | $83.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | — | Bisabolol | Agran Oil |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Naturium Retinoid Face OilBe Minimalist Granactive Retinoid 02%
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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