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Retrieve
Retrieve

Retrieve

Efficacy83/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-blemish
Tretinoin, Retinyl palmitate
Works well
What the product description says
“Retrieve is used for the treatment of acne.”
Source: Medsafe

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: tretinoin. 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

TretinoinHeroEffect: HighBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK~39–58%
Retinyl palmitateKey activeEffect: MediumThree 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~0.5–1.2%
Anti-aging
Tretinoin, Retinyl palmitate
Works well

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains tretinoin.

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.

TretinoinHeroEffect: HighBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK~39–58%
Retinyl palmitateKey activeEffect: MediumThree 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~0.5–1.2%
Moisturizing
Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate se + 2 more
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Retrieve is also used to treat dry, sun-damaged skin.”
Source: Medsafe

Does not contain the most effective ingredients for moisturization. The emollients (cetyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate) can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Keep in mind though that this product lacks humectants that attract water. You might want to use a separate product with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin in addition (use before this product for the best results).

Cetyl alcohol· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~6–8.9%
Glyceryl stearate seEffect: MediumUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient~2.5–3.8%
Isopropyl palmitate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency~4–5.9%
Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~0.05–0.25%
Evens skin tone
Side benefit · Tretinoin, Retinyl palmitate
Works well

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: tretinoin.

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.

TretinoinHeroEffect: HighBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK~39–58%
Retinyl palmitateKey activeEffect: MediumThree 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~0.5–1.2%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · Tretinoin, Tocopheryl acetate
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (tretinoin) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

TretinoinKey activeEffect: HighBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK~39–58%
Tocopheryl acetateEffect: LowA 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.~0.85–1.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 strong irritants: Tretinoin, Retinyl palmitate + 1 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
TretinoinBioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UKHigh~39–58%est.
Retinyl palmitateThree 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 effectHigh~0.5–1.2%est.
Diazolidinyl ureaA preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.25%est.
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~4–5.9%est.
Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~1.5–2.3%est.
EdtaHelp to stabilize the product formulationMedium~0.5–1%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~0.85–1.3%est.
Comedogenic
2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
2 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency3/5~4–5.9%est.
Glyceryl stearate seUsed to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient2/5~2.5–3.8%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Cream 0.025% 0.05% Tretinoin
Galderma Retacnyl Cream 0.025% 0.05% Tretinoin
Higher efficacy · 100/10086% match
A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.05%
Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.05%
Higher efficacy · 100/10083% match
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Tretinoin~39–58%
Hero · Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-blemishAnti-agingEvens skin toneMattifying

Bioavailable form of Vitamin A that is the most effective known topical ingredients for reducing wrinkles, improving skin firmness, treating acne, as well as hyperpigmentation. It is not available over-the counter in many countries, including US and UK

More about Tretinoin
Cetyl alcohol~6–8.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

More about Cetyl alcohol
Isopropyl palmitate~4–5.9%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency

More about Isopropyl palmitate
Glyceryl stearate se~2.5–3.8%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient

More about Glyceryl stearate se
Sorbitan stearate~2–2.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps water and oil mix together

More about Sorbitan stearate
Polysorbate 60~1.5–2.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 60
Edta~0.5–1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Help to stabilize the product formulation

More about Edta
Tocopheryl acetate~0.85–1.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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 acetate
Retinyl palmitate~0.5–1.2%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-blemishAnti-agingExfoliation

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 palmitate
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Diazolidinyl urea~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating

More about Diazolidinyl urea
Propylene glycol~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Water~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Ingredient list view

Tretinoin, Cetyl alcohol, Isopropyl palmitate, Glyceryl stearate se, Sorbitan stearate, Polysorbate 60, Edta, Tocopheryl acetate, Retinyl palmitate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Diazolidinyl urea, Propylene glycol, Water

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
RetrieveYOUR PRODUCTGalderma RetacnylCream 0.025% 0.05% TretinoinDermaticaTretinoin 0.05% / Niacinamide 4% / Clindamycin 1%Menarini GroupA-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025%
Match—86%83%83%
Price———$5.83
Shared key ingredients—1 of 21 of 21 of 2
Key difference—GlycerinNiacinamideCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
  • matches yours
  • differs
  • cheaper

More alternatives: Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.05%Skin + Me Daily Doser - Tretinoin 0.050% Niacinamide 4% Azelaic Acid 4%

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Product summary

"Retrieve -" is effective for: Anti-aging, Anti-blemish and Evens skin tone

Ingredient callouts

  • this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): tretinoin 39.00% - 58.00%. 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.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
  2. 2
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
Retrieve
Retrieve
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