Works for
Anti-agingHydroxypinacolone retinoate, TocopherolWorks well
“An intensive overnight treatment, clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and support your skin's recovery process while promoting a good night's sleep.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
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.
MoisturizingPrunus armeniaca kernel oil, Cetearyl alcohol + 6 moreWorks
“A lightweight serum blended with 5% Granactive Retinoid - to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles without irritating and aggravating the skin - and Hyaluronic Acid to firm and hydrate.”
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:
avena sativa kernel flour, 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: avena sativa kernel flour, prunus armeniaca kernel oil.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Hydroxypinacolone retinoateWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: hydroxypinacolone retinoate. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Hydroxypinacolone retinoateWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: hydroxypinacolone retinoate.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, Parfum + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Prunus armeniaca kernel oil~4.2–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Prunus armeniaca kernel oilDimethyl isosorbide~3.6–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
More about Dimethyl isosorbideCetearyl alcohol~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate se~2–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCetearyl olivate~1.5–2.2%
Glycerin~1.4–2%
- 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 GlycerinHydroxypinacolone retinoate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A derivative of the most potent form of vitamin A, retinoic acid. The ingredient can be sold under name Granactive Retinoid. Note that if a skincare brand discloses the concentration of Granactive Retinoid in a product, the concentration refers to a diluted form of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate: 1% of Granactive Retinoid corresponds to 0.1% of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate. Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) is a unique derivative of retinoic acid because it can directly work in the skin and does not require additional conversion steps. According to studies done by the manufacturer on models of human skin (not real people), this derivative is more effective than other cosmetic versions of retinoids (such as retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate), and, at the same time, causes less irritation. It has been also demonstrated to be more stable than retinol which makes formulating with easier and increases the chances that a product with it will maintain its effectiveness after opening. The packaging should still ideally be air-tight. HPR is available over the counter in the EU, UK, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, but is only with a prescription in Canada.
More about Hydroxypinacolone retinoateMethylheptylglycerin~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Stearic acid~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSorbitan olivate~0.45–1.05%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.95%
Parfum~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAvena sativa kernel flour~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier
More about Avena sativa kernel flourBisabolol~0.2–0.7%
- 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 BisabololXanthan gum~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateLinalool~0.1–0.4%
Tocopherol~0.1–0.4%
- 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 TocopherolCinnamomum camphora linalooliferum wood oil~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilOrmenis multicaulis flower oil~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pogostemon cablin leaf oil~0.05–0.2%
Vetiveria zizanoides root oil~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Prunus armeniaca kernel oil, Dimethyl isosorbide, Cetearyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate se, Benzyl alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Glycerin, Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, Methylheptylglycerin, Stearic acid, Sorbitan olivate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Avena sativa kernel flour, Bisabolol, Xanthan gum, Sodium hyaluronate, Linalool, Tocopherol, Cinnamomum camphora linalooliferum wood oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Ormenis multicaulis flower oil, Pogostemon cablin leaf oil, Vetiveria zizanoides root oil
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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.
| this worksdeep sleep 5% retinoid complexYOUR PRODUCT | Lancer SkincareYounger Pure Youth Serum with MIMIXYL | StackedSkincareAdvanced Retinol Serum | Dr.Reju-AllAdvanced Retino-Mela Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 91% | 91% | 90% |
| Price | — | — | $29.99 | $30.42 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: FOREO SUPERCHARGED Triple-Action Firming Serume.l.f. Cosmetics YOUTH BOOSTING ADVANCED NIGHT RETINOID SERUM
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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