The Organic Pharmacy Retinol Night Corrective Mask
Works for
2 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Evens skin toneRetinolStrong evidence
“Improve Elasticity Correct Sun Pigmentation Reduce Wrinkles Key Ingredients.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
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.
This product can also help with skin tone because it offers sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations. This is why sun protection is the best strategy for maintaining an even skin tone. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Anti-agingRetinolStrong evidence
“Improve Elasticity Correct Sun Pigmentation Reduce Wrinkles Key Ingredients.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · RetinolStrong evidence
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · RetinolStrong evidence
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · RetinolStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, LecithinGood evidence
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana flower water, Citrus grandis peel oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Hamamelis virginiana flower water~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant infused water that might help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana flower waterGlycerin~3.4–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinWater~4.4–6.7%
Xanthan gum~3.1–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarbomer~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerSclerotium gum~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumLecithin~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinBenzyl alcohol~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholPullulan~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanTitanium dioxide~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideSodium hydroxide~0.45–1%
Polysorbate 20~0.4–0.95%
Mica~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaSilica~0.5–1.15%
Citrus grandis peel oil~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus grandis peel oilDehydroacetic acid~0.1–0.3%
Retinol~0.05–0.25%
- 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 RetinolLecithin~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium benzoate~0.05–0.2%
Limonene~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Hamamelis virginiana flower water, Glycerin, Water, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Sclerotium gum, Lecithin, Benzyl alcohol, Pullulan, Titanium dioxide, Sodium hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Mica, Silica, Citrus grandis peel oil, Dehydroacetic acid, Retinol, Lecithin, Sodium benzoate, Limonene
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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.
| The Organic PharmacyRetinol Night Corrective MaskYOUR PRODUCT | TONYMOLYRetinol Red Radiance Sun Essence | CeraVeSkin Renewing Day Cream SPF 30 | Exuviance ProfessionalTotal Correct Day SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 86% | 85% |
| Price | $52.14 | $29.20−$22.94 | $15.22−$36.92 | $84.09+$31.95 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Hexapeptide-2 | Ceramide Np | Acetyl Glucosamine |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"The Organic Pharmacy - Retinol Night Corrective Mask" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
It contains good moisturizing ingredients and can double as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product has an anti-aging benefit.
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 65.10A$ in Australia and from 37.29£ up to 39.00£ 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
- 4Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
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