PRODUCT REVIEW
SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5
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Price as of 11/15/2024 2:8 GMT.
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Key Benefits Enhances skin tone, texture, and resiliency Diminishes appearance of fine lines and coarse wrinkles Enhances skin tone and texture Encapsulated with Phyto Shield TMComplex, an antioxidant complex, enhancing skin texture and minimizing irritation
niacinamide
3.1% -
3.8%
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
0.5%
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
tocotrienols
0.6% -
0.85%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms
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Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Key Benefits Enhances skin tone, texture, and resiliency Diminishes appearance of fine lines and coarse wrinkles Enhances skin tone and texture Encapsulated with Phyto Shield TMComplex, an antioxidant complex, enhancing skin texture and minimizing irritation
retinol
0.5%
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
niacinamide
3.1% -
3.8%
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
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
This formula features three forms of vitamin A, in a microparticle delivery system, to enhance skin texture through exfoliation and skin regeneration. Authorized retailer of Skin Medica. Who is this for?
retinol
0.5%
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?
Key Benefits Enhances skin tone, texture, and resiliency Diminishes appearance of fine lines and coarse wrinkles Enhances skin tone and texture Encapsulated with Phyto Shield TMComplex, an antioxidant complex, enhancing skin texture and minimizing irritation
caprylic/capric triglyceride
2% -
2.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
phytosterols
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function
squalane
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
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Anti-blemish
retinol
0.5%
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
niacinamide
3.1% -
3.8%
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
Anti-oxidation
retinol
0.5%
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
tocotrienols
0.6% -
0.85%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms
squalene
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Exfoliation | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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US Retailers
Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 3
Potential irritants
retinol
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
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
cetyl ethylhexanoate
5.6% -
6.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
glycine soja oil
4.3% -
5.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
squalene
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
Show more
User reviews (0)
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
niacinamide
3.1% -
3.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-blemish,
Moisturizing,
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Anti-inflammatory,
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
retinol
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
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
Potential irritants
retinol
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
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
cetyl ethylhexanoate
5.6% -
6.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
glycine soja oil
4.3% -
5.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
squalene
0.45% -
0.7%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
Show more
All ingredients
cetyl ethylhexanoate
5.6% -
6.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
glycine soja oil
4.3% -
5.3%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Glycine soja oil, Niacinamide, Polyacrylate-13, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Squalane, Retinol, Palmitoyl tripeptide-8, Dunaliella salina extract, Magnolia grandiflora bark extract, Tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Ceramide 3, Bisabolol, Phytosterols, Squalene, Tocopheryl acetate, Oryza sativa bran wax, Oryza sativa cera, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Butylene glycol, Cetyl palmitate, Laureth-23, Trideceth-6 phosphate, Sodium hydroxide, Dicaprylyl ether, Lauryl alcohol, Polyisobutene, Dextran, Potassium sorbate, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Sources
- 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
- Dunaliella salina alga extract inhibits the production of interleukin-6, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species by regulating nuclear factor-κB/Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription in virus-infected RAW264.7 cells
- Biochemical composition and bioactivity screening of various extracts from Dunaliella salina, a green microalga
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Safety Assessment of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols as Used in Cosmetics
- Tocotrienol‐rich fraction attenuates UV‐induced inflammaging: A bench to bedside study
- Tocotrienols: Vitamin E beyond tocopherols
- Clinical evaluation of photoprotective effect by a topical antioxidants combination (tocopherols and tocotrienols)
- Tocotrienols: the unsaturated sidekick shifting new paradigms in vitamin E therapeutics
- Topically Applied Ceramides Interact with the Stratum Corneum Lipid Matrix in Compromised Ex Vivo Skin
- α-(-)-Bisabolol Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Ameliorates Skin Inflammation
- Squalene and its potential clinical uses
- Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Squalene and Related Compounds: Potential Uses in Cosmetic Dermatology
- Enhanced comedo formation in rabbit ear skin by squalene and oleic acid peroxides
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions