Retinol Renewing Serum
- Routine step
- Serum
- When
- Morning and evening
- Pairs well with
- Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Snail Mucin, Beta-Glucan
- Use with care
- 6 layering conflicts, listed below
Apply a pea-sized amount to clean, slightly damp skin before your moisturizer. Start with a few nights a week if it contains an active you are new to.
This product contains an active that can irritate at first. Patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours and start two or three times a week.
Ingredient research in this formula
These are ingredient-level research links, not evidence that this exact product has been clinically tested.
Refills the natural barrier between your skin cells. Locks moisture in, keeps irritants out, calms dry or damaged skin.
Good for: Barrier repair
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
Speeds up how fast your skin renews itself so old, dull cells shed faster and fresher skin shows through. Builds collagen over time, smoothing fine lines.
Good for: Anti-aging
A rich, naturally occlusive plant butter from the African karite tree. Soothes dry, irritation-prone skin, refills the lipid barrier, and was well tolerated enough in randomized trials that most participants used it comfortably as a daily emollient.
Good for: Barrier repair, Hydrating, Anti-inflammatory
Evidence behind the ingredients
Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.
Refills the natural barrier between your skin cells. Locks moisture in, keeps irritants out, calms dry or damaged skin.
Andrew PV et al., Topical supplementation with physiological lipids rebalances the stratum corneum ceramide profile and strengthens skin barrier function in adults predisposed to atopic dermatitis, British Journal of Dermatology 2025;193(4):729-740: physiological-lipid emulsion raised SC ceramide NP/AP and improved barrier function vs control
Nugroho WT, Sawitri, Astindari, Utomo B, Listiawan MY, Ervianti E, Astari L. The Efficacy of Moisturisers Containing Ceramide Compared with Other Moisturisers in the Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. Indian J Dermatol. 2023;68(1):53-58. Meta-analysis of 5 studies found ceramide-containing moisturisers produced significantly greater improvement in SCORAD compared with non-ceramide moisturisers in atopic dermatitis.
Shindo S et al., Effects of a moisturizer containing pseudo-ceramide and a eucalyptus extract on sweating function in adult atopic dermatitis: a double-blind, randomized, controlled left-right comparison clinical trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4503-4509: pseudo-ceramide + eucalyptus moisturizer restored sweating function and barrier in AD adults
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164: glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection
Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736: topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin
Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748: 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration
Speeds up how fast your skin renews itself so old, dull cells shed faster and fresher skin shows through. Builds collagen over time, smoothing fine lines.
SCCS Revision of the Scientific Opinion on Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate), SCCS/1639/21, final version adopted 24-25 October 2022
Chien AL et al. Biomarkers of Tretinoin Precursors and Tretinoin Efficacy in Patients With Moderate to Severe Facial Photodamage: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Dermatology. 2022;158(8):892-900. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.1891: RCT comparing topical retinol precursors vs tretinoin for photoaging; both showed equivalent wrinkle reduction at week 24 with retinol formulation causing 6x less erythema than tretinoin.
MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active: Retinol (anti-wrinkle). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List: listed alongside Adenosine, Retinyl Palmitate, and Polyethoxylated Retinamide in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex anti-wrinkle category
+−1 more ingredient
A rich, naturally occlusive plant butter from the African karite tree. Soothes dry, irritation-prone skin, refills the lipid barrier, and was well tolerated enough in randomized trials that most participants used it comfortably as a daily emollient.
O'Connor RJ et al., Clinical Evaluation of a Diaper Containing a Shea Butter-Based Emollient and Impact on Diapered Skin Erythema, Pediatr Dermatol 2025;42(3):532-538: RCT n=271 infants, shea-butter diaper reduced dermatitis
Burnett CL, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety Assessment of Butyrospermum parkii (Shea)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel Final Report.
Verallo-Rowell VM, Katalbas SS, Pangasinan JP. Natural (Mineral, Vegetable, Coconut, Essential) Oils and Contact Dermatitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2016;16(7):51. discussing shea butter unsaponifiable fraction NF-kB inhibition and dermatologic use.
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.
Layering conflicts
Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.
- Salicylic Acidhigh
Retinol + salicylic acid can over-exfoliate and damage the barrier. Alternate nights.
- Glycolic Acidhigh
Retinol + glycolic acid is a classic barrier-buster. Use on different nights.
- Lactic Acidmedium
Retinol + lactic acid is gentler than glycolic but still alternate nights to be safe.
- Mandelic Acidmedium
Retinol + mandelic acid: alternate nights to preserve barrier integrity.
- Benzoyl Peroxidemedium
Benzoyl peroxide can break down retinol. Use one in the morning and the other at night, or pick a stabilized formula made to combine them.
- Vitamin Clow
Vitamin C and retinol work best at different pH levels. Use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.
Similar comparisons
Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.