Paula's choice Traitement Rétinaldéhyde Duo
Works for
Anti-blemishRetinal, AdapaleneWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinal, adapalene. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-agingRetinal, Adapalene + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinal, adapalene.
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 toneRetinal, AdapaleneWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinal, adapalene.
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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil + 8 moreWorks
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, saccharomyces ferment filtrate.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy14 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~5.3–6.4%
- 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 triglycerideSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilDimethicone~3.2–3.9%
- 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 DimethiconePolyglyceryl-2 stearate~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-2 stearatePropanediol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPrunus mume extract~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateSodium stearoyl glutamate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateRetinal~0.75–1.15%
- 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 RetinalTocopherol~0.65–0.95%
- 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 TocopherolTocopheryl acetate~0.5–0.8%
- 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 acetateTocopherol~0.45–0.7%
- 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 TocopherolSaccharomyces ferment filtrate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharomyces ferment filtrateAlbatrellus confluens extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Punica granatum pericarp extract~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Adapalene~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A retinoid that is effective against acne and keratosis pilaris. It can also help reduce signs of aging (fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity) and can improve skin tone
More about AdapaleneGlyceryl stearate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateStearyl alcohol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholHydroxyapatite~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- 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 glycolPrunus mume extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetyl glyceryl ether~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ricinus communis seed oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Ricinus communis seed oilSodium polyacrylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateIsopropyl myristate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristateHydroxyacetophenone~0.25–0.45%
Prunus mume extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.25–0.45%
Sodium phytate~0.25–0.45%
Xanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumGlycerin~0.3–0.5%
- 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 GlycerinPrunus mume extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxystearic acid~0.35–0.6%
1,2-hexanediol~0.25–0.4%
Sorbitan oleate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan oleateNaringin~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTitanium dioxide~0.1–0.25%
- 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 dioxideCi 77891~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 stearate, Propanediol, Prunus mume extract, Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Retinal, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Saccharomyces ferment filtrate, Albatrellus confluens extract, Punica granatum pericarp extract, Unknown, Adapalene, Glyceryl stearate, Stearyl alcohol, Hydroxyapatite, Butylene glycol, Prunus mume extract, Cetyl glyceryl ether, Ricinus communis seed oil, Sodium polyacrylate, Isopropyl myristate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Prunus mume extract, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Sodium phytate, Xanthan gum, Glycerin, Prunus mume extract, Hydroxystearic acid, 1,2-hexanediol, Sorbitan oleate, Naringin, Citric acid, Titanium dioxide, Ci 77891
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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.
| Paula's choiceTraitement Rétinaldéhyde DuoYOUR PRODUCT | Skin Functional1.5% Retinoid Complex | PrequelRETINAL RENEW | Eau Thermale AveneFace PhysioLift: Smoothing Regenerating Night Balm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 69% | 56% | 55% |
| Price | — | — | $28.99 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 11 | 6 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate | Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract | Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | High | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Theramid A-RetinoateAvène Physiolift Night Smoothing Night Balm
Product summary
"Paula's choice - Traitement Rétinaldéhyde Duo" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): adapalene 0.45% - 0.65% and retinal 0.75% - 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.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.30% - 0.50% and saccharomyces ferment filtrate 0.45% - 0.65%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
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
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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