Olay Retinol 24 Fragrance Free Night Face Cream for Smooth and Glowing Skin
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Evens skin toneRetinol, Retinyl propionate + 1 moreStrong evidence
“You’ll see visible improvements in fine lines & wrinkles, smoothness, brightness, firming, dark spots, and pores.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: retinyl propionate.
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-agingRetinol, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 + 2 moreStrong evidence
“You’ll see visible improvements in fine lines & wrinkles, smoothness, brightness, firming, dark spots, and pores.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, retinyl propionate.
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.
MoisturizingPalmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Dimethicone + 8 moreStrong evidence
“Retinol 24 Fragrance Free Night Face Cream for Smooth and Glowing Skin”
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, butylene glycol.
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, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl pentapeptide-4
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · RetinolStrong evidence
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).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · RetinolStrong evidence
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Retinol, Retinyl propionate + 1 moreStrong evidence
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.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: retinyl propionate
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Retinyl propionate, Retinol + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Dimethicone~6.6–8.1%
- 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 DimethiconeGlycerin~4.4–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinTapioca starch~3.3–4.1%
Dimethicone crosspolymer~2.5–3.1%
- 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 crosspolymerRetinyl propionate~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, even thought its potency is not as well established as in case of retinol or retinaldehyde
More about Retinyl propionateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.8–2.3%
- 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 triglycerideRetinol~1.4–1.7%
- 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 RetinolPalmitoyl pentapeptide-4~1.2–1.4%
- 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 pentapeptide-4Bht~0.95–1.15%
Butylene glycol~0.7–1.05%
- 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 glycolDimethiconol~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolNiacinamide~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePolysorbate 20~0.5–0.75%
Laureth-4~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Laureth-4Laureth-7~0.45–0.7%
Disodium edta~0.4–0.6%
Polyacrylamide~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerAminomethyl propanol~0.25–0.5%
Peg-100 stearate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateAmmonium polyacrylate~0.25–0.45%
Polymethylsilsesquioxane~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that improves product texture and helps dissolve other ingredients. Can form a non-greasy film on the skin to prevent moisture loss
More about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneTitanium dioxide~0.3–0.55%
- 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 dioxideC13-14 alkane~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about C13-14 alkaneDmdm hydantoin~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating
More about Dmdm hydantoinIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Benzyl alcohol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholMethylparaben~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Tapioca starch, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Retinyl propionate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Retinol, Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Bht, Butylene glycol, Dimethiconol, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 20, Laureth-4, Laureth-7, Disodium edta, Polyacrylamide, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Aminomethyl propanol, Peg-100 stearate, Ammonium polyacrylate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Titanium dioxide, C13-14 alkane, Dmdm hydantoin, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Benzyl alcohol, Methylparaben
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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.
| OlayRetinol 24 Fragrance Free Night Face Cream for Smooth and Glowing SkinYOUR PRODUCT | MedicubeKojic Acid Turmeric Vita Capsule Cream | MeebakCica cream | ReplenixAll-Trans-Retinol Enriched Eye Repair | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 86% | 86% |
| Price | $12.99 | $48.35+$35.36 | $18.73+$5.74 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 6 of 10 | 5 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Hexapeptide-9 | Vitamin C |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Olay - Retinol 24 Fragrance Free Night Face Cream for Smooth and Glowing Skin" has a good moisturizing formula. To work well, any moisturizer needs to include a combination of water-binding and emollient ingredients. Olay - Retinol 24 Fragrance Free Night Face Cream for Smooth and Glowing Skin ticks this box. Glycerin and butylene glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone and dimethiconol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 1.40% - 1.70%. 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 alternate days or when your skin feels dry.
- We like that this moisturizer contains peptides (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 1.20% - 1.40%). 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. Peptides 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.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. 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.
What our users say
Based on 3 reviews 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, two out of three reviewers didn't notice clogged pores after using this sunscreen, but the third reviewer found that it clogged pores.
Price
The product retails from 17.49£ up to 39.50£ in the United Kingdom and for 48.30$ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4Retinol and retinyl esters: biochemistry and physiologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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