Works for
Anti-agingRetinal, Centella asiatica leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
“Formulated with a highly stabilized retinaldehyde to visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles, smooth texture, and even tone.”
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: centella asiatica leaf extract.
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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Dimethicone + 11 moreWorks
“An advanced retinaldehyde gel that supports skin renewal and firmness while maintaining the skin barrier.”
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, caprylyl 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: dimethicone, simmondsia chinensis seed oil.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · RetinalWorks well
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-blemishSide benefit · Retinal, Centella asiatica leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
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?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinal, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone 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 GlycerinPropanediol~3.4–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolDimethicone~2.7–4.1%
- 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 DimethiconeSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~2.1–3.1%
- 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 oilHydroxyapatite~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Retinal~1.3–2%
- 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 RetinalEctoin~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinCentella asiatica leaf extract~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. It can be irritating to sensitive skin. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It could, however, itself be irritating.
More about Centella asiatica leaf extractCyanocobalamin~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can support skin barrier function and reduce inflammation in skin
More about CyanocobalaminOryza sativa bran extract~0.5–1.1%
Helianthus annuus extract~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Helianthus annuus extractTocopherol~0.35–0.85%
- 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 TocopherolBoron nitride~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to absord oil and evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in product formulation
More about Boron nitrideCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.35–0.8%
- 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 triglycerideCetyl alcohol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholStearyl alcohol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~0.2–0.75%
- 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 stearateGlyceryl stearate citrate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateC9-12 alkane~0.15–0.6%
Castor oil/ipdi copolymer~0.15–0.6%
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerDilinoleic acid/butanediol copolymer~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carbomer~0.1–0.45%
- 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 CarbomerRosmarinus officinalis leaf extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be helpful in reducing inflammation in skin, including inflamed acne. It can be irritating
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extractSclerotium gum~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumXanthan gum~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolDipropylene glycol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolCaprylyl glycol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium phytate~0.05–0.2%
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Citric acid~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Hydroxyapatite, Retinal, Ectoin, Centella asiatica leaf extract, Cyanocobalamin, Oryza sativa bran extract, Helianthus annuus extract, Tocopherol, Boron nitride, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Glyceryl stearate citrate, C9-12 alkane, Castor oil/ipdi copolymer, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Dilinoleic acid/butanediol copolymer, Carbomer, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, Sclerotium gum, Xanthan gum, Phenoxyethanol, Dipropylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium phytate, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid
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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.
| PrequelRETINAL RENEWYOUR PRODUCT | Dieux SkinFirm Revival HydroRetinal Firming Serum | Paula's choicePRO Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment | Ursa MajorLunar Bloom Retinal Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 84% | 81% |
| Price | $28.99 | — | $68.00+$39.01 | $76.00+$47.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 10 | 6 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Isopropyl Myristate | Gardenia Jasminoides Meristem Cell Culture |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Theramid A-RetinoateREMEDY SCIENCE REMEDY for healthy aging
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overviewonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6Contact dermatitis due to Madecassolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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