Perricone MD Blemish Relief Retinol Treatment & Moisturizer
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, RetinolStrong evidence
“The cream is blended with Niacinamide, Citrulline and Retinol, which come together to support natural renewal cycles and exfoliation.”
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, salicylic acid.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Citrulline + 6 moreStrong evidence
“Blemish Relief Retinol Treatment & Moisturizer”
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, citrulline.
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, cetearyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Niacinamide + 1 moreStrong evidence
“Targeting blemishes, the formula is able to diminish their appearance without drying your skin too much, leaving you feeling comfortable without unwanted tightness.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, retinol, salicylic acid. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Retinol, Tocopheryl acetateStrong 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).
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Retinol, Niacinamide + 1 moreStrong evidence
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 niacinamide, salicylic acid. 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-agingNot advertised by the brand · Retinol, NiacinamideStrong evidence
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol, niacinamide.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Sd alcohol 40-b, RetinolMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Sd alcohol 40-b~8.7–10.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about Sd alcohol 40-bGlycerin~3.9–4.7%
- 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 GlycerinDicaprylyl ether~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherNiacinamide~2.3–2.9%
- 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 NiacinamideCitrulline~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about CitrullineArginine~1.7–2%
- 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 ArginineMethyl gluceth-20~1.4–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it
More about Methyl gluceth-20Cetearyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCarbomer~1–1.2%
- 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 CarbomerSalicylic acid~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidXanthan gum~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTocopheryl 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~0.5–0.75%
- 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 RetinolCitric acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium hydroxide~0.35–0.65%
Disodium edta~0.3–0.5%
Peg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearatePeg-100 stearate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~0.25–0.45%
- 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 stearateMethyl glucose sesquistearate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Methyl glucose sesquistearatePolysorbate 20~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Sd alcohol 40-b, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl ether, Niacinamide, Citrulline, Arginine, Methyl gluceth-20, Cetearyl alcohol, Carbomer, Salicylic acid, Xanthan gum, Tocopheryl acetate, Retinol, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, Peg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Methyl glucose sesquistearate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate
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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.
| Perricone MDBlemish Relief Retinol Treatment & MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | Remedyfor pore size | YEOUTHDaytime Defense | ColorescienceTotal Eye Firm Repair Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 85% | 80% | 79% |
| Price | $60.06 | $32.00−$28.06 | — | $99.00+$38.94 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 1 of 6 | 1 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Np | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"Perricone MD - Blemish Relief Retinol Treatment & Moisturizer" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone and Exfoliation
Ingredient callouts
- We particularly like that there is a good concentration of Niacinamide (2.30% - 2.90%) in this moisturizer. Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is a great ingredient to have in a moisturizer. 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 help improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This moisturizer contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 0.50% - 0.75%. 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.
- Salicylic acid (0.65% - 1.00%) in this product will have an exfoliating effect and help smooth the skin. We, however, do not recommend using a moisturizer with Salicylic Acid daily to avoid over-exfoliating.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Perricone MD" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 51.90$ in the United States and from 29.99£ up to 47.00£ 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
- 5Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
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