Works for
Anti-agingRetinol, Niacinamide + 3 moreWorks well
“Retinol Complex 0.5 enhances skin tone, texture, and resiliency and diminishes appearance of fine lines and coarse wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol, niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: palmitoyl tripeptide-8, tocotrienols.
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Palmitoyl tripeptide-8 + 14 moreWorks well
“Algae extract ensures skin is soft, hydrated and protected against free-radical damage.”
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:
dextran, glycerin.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide 3, niacinamide, palmitoyl tripeptide-8
Evens skin toneRetinol, NiacinamideWorks well
“Retinol Complex 0.5 enhances skin tone, texture, and resiliency and diminishes appearance of fine lines and coarse wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
In addition, this product contains niacinamide. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
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-oxidationSide benefit · Tocotrienols, Retinol + 5 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (retinol, tocotrienols) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - squalene also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Niacinamide, RetinolWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, retinol. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · RetinolWorks well
“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?”
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: retinol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: RetinolMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Cetyl ethylhexanoate~5.6–6.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateGlycine soja oil~4.3–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilNiacinamide~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about NiacinamidePolyacrylate-13~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Polyacrylate-13Caprylic/capric triglyceride~2–2.5%
- 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 triglycerideSqualane~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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.
More about SqualaneRetinol0.5%
- Irritation risk
- 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
More about RetinolPalmitoyl tripeptide-8~1.4–1.7%
Dunaliella salina extract~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A green micro-algae extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but solid evidence is lacking. It helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Dunaliella salina extractMagnolia grandiflora bark extract~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.65–1%
- 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 TocopherolTocotrienols~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of vitamin E that is more powerful in neutralizing free radicals compared to its other forms
More about TocotrienolsCeramide 3~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide 3Bisabolol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololPhytosterols~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function
More about PhytosterolsSqualene~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
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
More about SqualeneTocopheryl acetate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetateOryza sativa bran wax~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~0.3–0.6%
- 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 GlycerinPolysorbate 20~0.3–0.55%
Butylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCetyl palmitate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateLaureth-23~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Laureth-23Trideceth-6 phosphate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Trideceth-6 phosphateSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Dicaprylyl ether~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin while creating a non-greasy feel on the skin. Helps to dissolve other ingredients
More about Dicaprylyl etherLauryl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
Polyisobutene~0.15–0.3%
Dextran~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the most upper layer of the skin. Derived from sugar
More about DextranPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Disodium edta~0.1–0.15%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.1%
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, 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
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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.
| SkinMedicaRetinol Complex 0.5YOUR PRODUCT | ALASTIN SkincareRenewal Retinol | Formula 10.0.6In The Deep Vitamin A Nourishing Retinol Serum | PCA SKINIntensive Age Refining Treatment 0.5 Percent Pure Retinol Night | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 77% | 71% | 70% |
| Price | $80.00 | $81.00+$1.00 | — | $120.00+$40.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 14 | 5 of 14 | 7 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Ceramide Np | Panthenol | Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: REMEDY SCIENCE REMEDY for healthy agingAlliance Bio-Taches Serum
Product summary
"SkinMedica - Retinol Complex 0.5" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Anti-aging, Exfoliation, Moisturizing and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.10% - 3.80%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 0.50% (declared). 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.
- Ceramides (ceramide 3 0.55% - 0.80%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- Peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-8 1.40% - 1.70%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- Humectants (dextran 0.15% - 0.25% and glycerin 0.30% - 0.55%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 72.00$ up to 80.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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