Works for
ExfoliationHydroxyethyl urea, Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acidWorks well
“This oil-free resurfacing serum simultaneously exfoliates skin and replenishes moisture for radiant, smooth skin.”
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: hydroxyethyl urea.
MoisturizingHydroxyethyl urea, Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment + 3 moreWorks
“This oil-free resurfacing serum simultaneously exfoliates skin and replenishes moisture for radiant, smooth skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, hydroxyethyl urea.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Stimulates enzymes that help break the bonds that bind dead cells to the surface of the skin, to diminish surface lines and wrinkles”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 flagged ingredientsLow 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%
Hydroxyethyl urea~5.3–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A derivative of urea, a compound that is naturally present in skin. Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients
More about Hydroxyethyl ureaHydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to regulate product's pH, but can be also used as an exfoliator when included in higher concentrations. There is a controversy about whether it can generate free radicals and induce skin cell damage when used in topical products
More about Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acidPentylene glycol~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSaccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermented sweet black tea. There is no studies on particular benefits of this ingredient in skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, and might have some anti-oxidant effect. It is used in skincare for mostly marketing purposes because of the popularity of kombucha drinks
More about Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea fermentGlycerin~0.85–1.3%
- 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 GlycerinSodium hyaluronate~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Hydroxyethyl urea, Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, Pentylene glycol, Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment, Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| SkinCeuticalsRetexturing ActivatorYOUR PRODUCT | L'Oréal ParisRevitalift Filler Replumping Ampoules | VichyLiftActiv Supreme H.A. Wrinkle Corrector | psaLIQUID PANACEA Centella & Kombucha Firming Recovery Booster | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 38% | 38% | 37% |
| Price | $100.00 | $17.86−$82.14 | $44.99−$55.01 | $22.47−$77.53 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: PSA Skin Liquid PanaceaLa Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Anti-Wrinkle Repair Serum
Product summary
"SkinCeuticals - Retexturing Activator" is effective for: Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (hydroxyethyl urea 5.30% - 8.00%, glycerin 0.85% - 1.30% and sodium hyaluronate 0.40% - 0.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 90.00$ up to 125.00$ in the United States, for 118.95A$ in Australia and from 74.75£ up to 100.00£ 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 5 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
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