Works for
Anti-agingRetinyl retinoate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateWorks well
“Introducing the r-Retinoate Day and Night Eye Serum (15ml), a gentle yet effective formula that fades the look of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinyl 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.
MoisturizingCaprylic/capric triglyceride, Isododecane + 9 moreWorks
“This potent powerhouse also calls on moisture-locking glycerin and hydrating hyaluronic acid to ensure your complexion is nourished and supple.”
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:
glycerin, hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans.
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, squalane.
Evens skin toneRetinyl retinoate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateMay help
“Formulated with Medik8-exclusive encapsulated retinyl retinoate is proven to be gentle yet 8x more powerful than standard retinol* in delivering visible results, visibly softening fine lines and wrinkles, reducing pigmentation, and refining overall skin texture.”
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl retinoate.
ExfoliationSide benefit · Retinyl retinoate, Polylactic acidWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinyl retinoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Retinyl retinoate, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~4.9–7.4%
- 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 triglycerideIsododecane~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and can decrease moisture loss. Helps create a nice product texture
More about IsododecaneCetearyl alcohol~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcohol1,2-hexanediol~1.1–1.7%
Glycerin~1.8–2.7%
- 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 GlycerinCetearyl olivate~1.5–2.2%
Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPolylactic acid~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as an abrasive ingredient for physical (mechanical) exfoliation
More about Polylactic acidSorbitan olivate~0.6–1.35%
Squalane~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneRetinyl retinoate~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A "hybrid" of retinol and retinoic acid. It is more stable than retinol and is likely to be more effective based on the early research data available. Is as irritating as retinol
More about Retinyl retinoateHydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Long sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycansCholesteryl nonanoate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glucosyl hesperidin~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be able to neutralize free radicals in skin. Also works as a humectant
More about Glucosyl hesperidinCaffeine~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.55%
- 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 acetateCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.1–0.4%
Canola oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Canola oilScutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractVanilla planifolia fruit extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Vanilla planifolia fruit extractIllicium verum fruit extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Anise fruit extract. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Illicium verum fruit extractButylene glycol~0.1–0.35%
- 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 glycolTheophylline~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Theobromine~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Disodium edta~0.05–0.15%
Citric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Isododecane, Cetearyl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, Glycerin, Cetearyl olivate, Sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polylactic acid, Sorbitan olivate, Squalane, Retinyl retinoate, Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans, Cholesteryl nonanoate, Glucosyl hesperidin, Caffeine, Sodium hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopheryl acetate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Canola oil, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Vanilla planifolia fruit extract, Illicium verum fruit extract, Butylene glycol, Theophylline, Theobromine, Disodium edta, Citric acid
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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.
| Medik8r-Retinoate Day & Night Eye SerumYOUR PRODUCT | VERSOSuper Eye Serum | DermaquestStem Cell 3D Active Retinol Repair Serum - 1% | TheramidA-Retinoate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 80% | 79% |
| Price | $122.00 | $32.50−$89.50 | — | $46.39−$75.61 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 3 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Dipeptide-2 | Niacinamide | Retinal |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Medicube Deep Reviving Bakuchiol Retinol SerumInfoDPlus VITA³MAPS Toning Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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