Obagi SUZANOBAGIMD Retivance Skin Rejuvenating Complex
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing9 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“SUZANOBAGIMD Retivance Skin Rejuvenating Complex”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: butyrospermum parkii butter extract, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl tripeptide-5
Anti-aging4 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Retivance® Skin Rejuvenating Complex combines clinically studied ingredients, retinaldehyde, spent grain wax, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, and antioxidants, to improve skin complexion and texture, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinal.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: palmitoyl tripeptide-5.
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 toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinal.
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-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinal. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: RetinalMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
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Cyclopentasiloxane~23–35%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone crosspolymer~5.7–8.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerCaprylic/capric triglyceride~4.6–6.9%
- 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 triglyceridePpg-12/smdi copolymer~4–6%
Butyrospermum parkii butter extract~3–4.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butter extractWater~2–3%
Argania spinosa kernel oil~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some weak anti-oxidant properties
More about Argania spinosa kernel oilTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~1.1–1.7%
- 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 ascorbateTriticum vulgare germ oil~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).
More about Triticum vulgare germ oilTocopheryl acetate~0.85–1.3%
- 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 acetateRetinal~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
One step removed from the biologically active in skin form of vitamin A. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinal 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. Concentrations of 0.05% and 0.1% are shown to be effective. It can, however, be irritating
More about RetinalTitanium dioxide~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideBisabolol~0.35–0.8%
- 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 BisabololTocopherol~0.3–0.75%
- 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 TocopherolTin~0.15–0.65%
Carthamus tinctorius seed oil~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilSpent grain wax~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractPalmitoyl tripeptide-5~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl tripeptide-5Ingredient list view
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Ppg-12/smdi copolymer, Butyrospermum parkii butter extract, Water, Argania spinosa kernel oil, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Triticum vulgare germ oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Retinal, Titanium dioxide, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Tin, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Spent grain wax, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5
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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.
| ObagiSUZANOBAGIMD Retivance Skin Rejuvenating ComplexYOUR PRODUCT | AvèneRetrinal 0.1 Intensive Professional Cream | Eczema HoneyConcentrated Cocktail Renewal Cream | Eau Thermale AveneFace PhysioLift: Smoothing Regenerating Night Balm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $133.00 | $56.00−$77.00 | $19.95−$113.05 | $31.27−$101.73 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 12 | 3 of 12 | 2 of 12 |
| Key difference | — | Oleoyl Dipeptide-15 | Colloidal Oatmeal | Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Obagi - SUZANOBAGIMD Retivance Skin Rejuvenating Complex" has a good moisturizing formula.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer contains an effective form of retinoids (vitamin A): retinal 0.50% - 1.15%. 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. Because of the irritation risk of retinoids, we recommend to have another, retinoid-free moisturizer in your routine to use on the alternative days or when your skin feels dry.
- This moistruizer also contains peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-5 0.05% - 0.25%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of peptides is, but it is very likely that peptides in skincare are helpful. They might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 133.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
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
- 5
- 6Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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