PRODUCT REVIEW
QXRLabs 5% Niacinamide + Retinol Serum
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
DUAL-ACTION FORMULA Niacinamide and Retinol work together to smooth, firm, and refine skin VISIBLE ANTI-AGING Helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity PORE MINIMIZING Refines texture and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores HYDRATES & RESTORES Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin E support a healthy glow CLEAN COMPLEXION Helps reduce acne-related signs and improve overall skin clarity
niacinamide
1.7% -
2.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
retinol
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
hyaluronic acid
4.6% -
7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
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Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
DUAL-ACTION FORMULA Niacinamide and Retinol work together to smooth, firm, and refine skin VISIBLE ANTI-AGING Helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity PORE MINIMIZING Refines texture and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores HYDRATES & RESTORES Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin E support a healthy glow CLEAN COMPLEXION Helps reduce acne-related signs and improve overall skin clarity
niacinamide
1.7% -
2.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
retinol
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
This concentrated wrinkle and pore reducing serum will leave your skin looking smooth and well hydrated.
simmondsia chinensis seed oil
1.4% -
2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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.
triticum vulgare germ oil
1.5% -
2.2%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).
glycerin
2.6% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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Anti-blemish
niacinamide
1.7% -
2.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
retinol
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
aloe barbadensis leaf juice
2.1% -
3.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
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Exfoliation
retinol
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
Anti-oxidation
retinol
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
camellia sinensis extract
0.45% -
1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
Tea extract. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
propolis extract
0.35% -
0.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
hamamelis virginiana extract
3.6% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
retinol
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Mattifying,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone
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
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
triticum vulgare germ oil
1.5% -
2.2%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).
carrageenan
0.15% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
User reviews (0)
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
1.7% -
2.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Moisturizing,
Anti-blemish,
Reduces irritation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Reduces redness,
Antibacterial
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
centella asiatica extract
0.15% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-blemish
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. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
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Potential irritants
hamamelis virginiana extract
3.6% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
retinol
1% -
1.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Exfoliation,
Mattifying,
Anti-blemish,
Evens skin tone
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
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
triticum vulgare germ oil
1.5% -
2.2%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
A good emoillient. Contains vitamin E which can help neutralise free radicals, however the oil is unstable. Avoid if you have gluten or wheat sensitivity (including food allergies).
carrageenan
0.15% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
All ingredients
hyaluronic acid
4.6% -
7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-aging
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
hamamelis virginiana extract
3.6% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-inflammatory
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Hyaluronic acid, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Niacinamide, Triticum vulgare germ oil, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Retinol, Tocopherol, Camellia sinensis extract, Propolis extract, Centella asiatica extract, Equisetum arvense extract, Unknown, Geranium maculatum extract, Taraxacum officinale extract, Pentylene glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Polysorbate 20, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Alcohol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin
Sources
- Efficacy of a New Topical Nano-hyaluronic Acid in Humans
- Physiochemical properties and application of hyaluronic acid: a systematic review
- Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy of Topical Preparations with 10% Hamamelis Distillate in a UV Erythema Test
- Anti-inflammatory activity of hamamelis distillate applied topically to the skin
- ASSESSMENT REPORT ON HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA L., CORTEX HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA L., FOLIUM HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA L., FOLIUM ET CORTEX AUT RAMUNCULUS DESTILLATUM
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
- Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)
- A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Propolis: A Wonder Bees Product and Its Pharmacological Potentials
- Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Titrated Extract of Centella asiatica in Phthalic Anhydride-Induced Allergic Dermatitis Animal Model
- Centella asiatica in cosmetology
- Triterpene Composition and Bioactivities of Centella asiatica
- Asiaticoside induction for cell-cycle progression, proliferation and collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts
- Assessment report on Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, herba
- Centella asiatica in Dermatology: An Overview
- The Effects of a Standardized Extract of Centella asiatica on Postlaser Resurfacing Wound Healing on the Face: A Split-Face, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
- Dandelion Extracts Protect Human Skin Fibroblasts from UVB Damage and Cellular Senescence