Works for
Evens skin toneRetinolWorks well
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.
Anti-blemishRetinolWorks well
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.
Anti-agingRetinol, TocopherolWorks well
“Retinol-infused: Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promoting a youthful complexion.”
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.
MoisturizingPeg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 2 moreWorks
“The Unlabel LAB Retinol Essence Serum is a high-quality Japanese skincare product designed to rejuvenate and hydrate your skin.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: caprylic/capric triglyceride.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Retinol, TocopherolWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (retinol, tocopherol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationSide benefit · RetinolWorks well
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?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinol, Benzophenone-4Medium 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%
Butylene glycol~6.4–9.6%
- 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 glycolPeg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerin~4.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a nice product texture and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Peg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerinRetinol~3–4.5%
- 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 RetinolTocopherol~2.1–3.1%
- 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 TocopherolCaprylic/capric triglyceride~1.9–2.8%
- 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 triglycerideXanthan gum~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCarbomer~0.95–1.45%
- 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 CarbomerPotassium hydroxide~0.6–1.4%
Polyglyceryl-10 laurate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurateBenzophenone-4~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sulisobenzone. A UV filter. Is typically used to improve the product stability under exposure to UV light. It is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It can be used is larger concentrations as a sun protection ingredient for the skin, but can be irritating
More about Benzophenone-41,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.5%
Bis-ethoxydiglycol cyclohexane 1,4-dicarboxylate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Peg/ppg/polybutylene glycol-8/5/3 glycerin, Retinol, Tocopherol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Potassium hydroxide, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Benzophenone-4, 1,2-hexanediol, Bis-ethoxydiglycol cyclohexane 1,4-dicarboxylate, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| Unlabel LABRetinol Essence SerumYOUR PRODUCT | RiversolRetinol Treatment Premium | The Garden Of WisdomRetiStar Retinol Serum | DiorCapture Totale Retishot Retinol Night Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 91% | 90% |
| Price | — | — | $15.24 | $120.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Ascorbate | Gluconolactone | Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: colibri skincare 1% Retinol BoosterIOPE Retinol Expert 0.1%
Product summary
"Unlabel LAB - Retinol Essence Serum" is effective for: Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 3.00% - 4.50%. 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.
- Humectants (glycerin 1.50% - 2.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
- 6
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