Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
“Featuring the highest level of RETINYL PALMITATE (0.4%) in the Optimum Retinol Range, this light textured serum is supercharged with additional Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to help improve the appearance of skin and uneven skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
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 palmitate.
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 9 moreWorks well
“Featuring the highest level of RETINYL PALMITATE (0.4%) in the Optimum Retinol Range, this light textured serum is supercharged with additional Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to help improve the appearance of skin and uneven skin tone. Includes ENCAPSULATED RETINYL PALMITATE (2%) for optimal delivery and reduced potential for irritation and green seaweed, Tulsi and Lady's Thistle help to calm and restore skin barrier function.”
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, mannitol.
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, squalene.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. 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 palmitate
Anti-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Retinyl palmitate + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: retinyl palmitate.
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Squalene, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract + 1 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (squalene) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is some human evidence for this effect in skin, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best antioxidants.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.9%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.8–5.6%
- 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 triglycerideNiacinamide~2.7–4.1%
- 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 NiacinamideDecyl oleate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Decyl oleateIsoamyl laurate~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl lauratePropanediol~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCaprylyl glycol~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCarbomer~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerTriethyl citrate~0.8–1.2%
Retinyl palmitate~0.45–1.1%
- 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. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateBenzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Parfum~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium gluconate~0.35–0.75%
Sodium hydroxide~0.3–0.75%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.75%
- 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 crosspolymerMannitol~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about MannitolGlycine soja oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilPhosphatidylcholine~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to enhance the delivery of other ingredients
More about PhosphatidylcholineCholesterol~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolEnteromorpha compressa extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Tocopherol~0.15–0.55%
- 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 TocopherolBeta-sitosterol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A phytosterol that can support skin's barrier function and help the skin stay hydrated
More about Beta-sitosterolPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.5%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.45%
Ocimum sanctum leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is rich in a fragrance compound eugenol that is a frequent allergen and can be irritating. It might also contain anti-oxidants to help neutralize free radicals
More about Ocimum sanctum leaf extractSilybum marianum fruit extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Squalene~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
More about SqualeneXanthan gum~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium chloride~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideCitric 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 acidHydrogenated palm glycerides citrate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glycerides citrateIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Niacinamide, Decyl oleate, Isoamyl laurate, Propanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Carbomer, Triethyl citrate, Retinyl palmitate, Benzoic acid, Parfum, Sodium gluconate, Sodium hydroxide, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Mannitol, Glycine soja oil, Phosphatidylcholine, Cholesterol, Enteromorpha compressa extract, Tocopherol, Beta-sitosterol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Silybum marianum fruit extract, Squalene, Xanthan gum, Sodium chloride, Citric acid, Hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate
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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.
| OptimumRetinol SerumYOUR PRODUCT | innisfreeRetinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum | GalenicumDermaHypemium Double Serum | SheaMoistureEven & Radiant Dark Spot Correcting Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 94% | 93% | 93% |
| Price | — | $34.00 | $31.02 | $13.98 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11 | Azelaic Acid | Hexylresorcinol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: IOPE XMD Stem III Clinical Recovery Serum PDRN Skincare for Anti-AgingThank You Farmer Miracle Age Repair Serum
Product summary
"Optimum - Retinol Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging
This product could be helpful for: Anti-oxidation, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.70% - 4.10%). 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 includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.45% - 1.10%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- Humectants (mannitol 0.20% - 0.80% and glycerin 3.90% - 5.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 7.49£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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