PRODUCT REVIEW
Institut Esthederm Intensive Retinol Face Serum
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What can the product work for?
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Face serum that smoothes deep wrinkles and redefines skin texture.
retinol
1.1% -
1.6%
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
limnanthes alba seed oil
22% -
33%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient
tocopherol
0.8% -
1.25%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
3%) to smooth lines. . Evens out the skin tone and give a “new skin effect”.
retinol
1.1% -
1.6%
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?
Face serum that smoothes deep wrinkles and redefines skin texture.
beta-sitosterol
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A phytosterol that can support skin's barrier function and help the skin stay hydrated
caprylic/capric triglyceride
6% -
9%
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
glycine soja oil
3.7% -
5.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
Show more
Anti-blemish
retinol
1.1% -
1.6%
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
Exfoliation
retinol
1.1% -
1.6%
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
Anti-oxidation
retinol
1.1% -
1.6%
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
squalene
0.55% -
1.35%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
limnanthes alba seed oil
22% -
33%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient
Show more
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Moisturizing |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
91/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
retinol
1.1% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Mattifying
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
parfum
0.05% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
glycine soja oil
3.7% -
5.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
squalene
0.55% -
1.35%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
User reviews (0)
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| WIMJ similarity score |
81%
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89%
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88%
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87%
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86%
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86%
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
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HIGH
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
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MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
retinol
1.1% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Mattifying
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
tocopherol
0.8% -
1.25%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
Potential irritants
retinol
1.1% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Mattifying
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
parfum
0.05% -
0.3%
Irritation risk:
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
glycine soja oil
3.7% -
5.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
squalene
0.55% -
1.35%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
All ingredients
limnanthes alba seed oil
22% -
33%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation
This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient
caprylic/capric triglyceride
6% -
9%
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
propylheptyl caprylate
4.7% -
7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Show more
Ingredient list view
Limnanthes alba seed oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Propylheptyl caprylate, Glycine soja oil, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Cyperus esculentus root oil, Retinol, Tocopherol, Beta-sitosterol, Squalene, Bht, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Parfum, Eugenol
Sources
- 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
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Safety Assessment of Phytosterols as Used in Cosmetics
- The Ameliorative Effect of β-sitosterol on DNCB-induced Atopic Dermatitis in Mice
- Squalene and its potential clinical uses
- Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Squalene and Related Compounds: Potential Uses in Cosmetic Dermatology
- Enhanced comedo formation in rabbit ear skin by squalene and oleic acid peroxides
- Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care
- Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egypt
- Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skin