NEOSTRATA Skin Active Retinol Repair Complex
Works for
Anti-agingRetinol, Acetyl glucosamineWorks well
“NeoGlucosamine®, clinically proven to work with Retinol, helps build natural collagen and its surrounding support matrix to lift and firm the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol, acetyl glucosamine.
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.
ExfoliationAcetyl glucosamine, RetinolWorks well
“NeoGlucosamine® is also a gentle exfoliant that helps reduce the appearance of uneven pigment and age spots.”
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: retinol.
Evens skin toneRetinol, Acetyl glucosamineWorks well
“NeoGlucosamine® is also a gentle exfoliant that helps reduce the appearance of uneven pigment and age spots.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
In addition, this product contains acetyl glucosamine. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
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 · RetinolWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Acetyl glucosamine, Dimethicone + 7 moreWorks well
“This high strength complex delivers 0.”
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, glycerin.
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, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl glucosamine
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Retinol, Tocopheryl acetate + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: RetinolMedium 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~45–55%
Dimethicone~6.5–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeCyclopentasiloxane~4.5–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxanePolysilicone-11~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Glycerin~2.5–3%
- 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 GlycerinButyloctyl salicylate~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateAcetyl glucosamine~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosamineSilica~1.7–2%
Nylon-12~1.3–1.6%
Allyl methacrylates crosspolymer~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to stabilize product formulations
More about Allyl methacrylates crosspolymerBht~0.65–1%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.55–0.85%
- 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 acetateRetinol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about RetinolArginine~0.45–0.65%
- 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 ArginineBisabolol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololIsohexadecane~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecanePeg-10 dimethicone~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that works to soften the upper layer of the skin and reduce its water loss
More about Peg-10 dimethiconeCitric acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAmmonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl tauratePolysorbate 20~0.25–0.5%
Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerPolysorbate 40~0.2–0.4%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.25%
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChlorphenesin~0.1–0.2%
Ci 19140~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11, Glycerin, Butyloctyl salicylate, Acetyl glucosamine, Silica, Nylon-12, Allyl methacrylates crosspolymer, Bht, Tocopheryl acetate, Retinol, Arginine, Bisabolol, Isohexadecane, Peg-10 dimethicone, Citric acid, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl glycol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polysorbate 40, Disodium edta, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ci 19140
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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.
| NEOSTRATASkin Active Retinol Repair ComplexYOUR PRODUCT | ExuvianceSuper Retinol Concentrate | Exuviance Professional0.3% Retinol Serum | Face The FutureNeoStrata Potent Retinol Complex | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 100% | 85% |
| Price | — | — | $41.82 | $96.36 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 10 | 9 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | — | Salicylic Acid | Vitamin C |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener 0.5%RoC Skincare Deep Wrinkle Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Glucosamine: an ingredient with skin and other benefitsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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