Join the WIMJ community to get skincare help and use personalized tools

Cheaper alternatives

ONE THING - Retinal serum
Price: $25.56
Find out more
celimax - The Vita-A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
Price: $17.97
Find out more

Product summary

"Kester Black - Super Retinal Vitamin A Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-blemish, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone

Ingredient callouts

  • A good concentration of Niacinamide (5.00% - 7.50%). 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 contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinal 0.40% - 0.90%. 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.
  • Peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.45% - 1.05%, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 0.55% - 1.30%, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 0.90% - 1.35% and copper tripeptide-1 1.00% - 1.50%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
  • Salicylic acid (0.40% - 0.90%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
  • Humectants (acetyl hexapeptide-8 0.45% - 1.05% and glycerin 3.50% - 5.30%). 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 "Kester Black" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.