A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
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 plant-based alternative to retinol. Smooths fine lines and evens tone with much less irritation, making it safer for sensitive skin.
Good for: Anti-aging
An ancient humectant and antimicrobial ingredient with a long research track record. Its sugar matrix and flavonoids help draw in moisture and support skin comfort; formulas pairing honey with beeswax and olive oil have shown improvement in dry, irritation-prone skin in controlled trials.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-acne, Hydrating
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.
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
A plant-based alternative to retinol. Smooths fine lines and evens tone with much less irritation, making it safer for sensitive skin.
Fanning N et al., Human Clinical Trials Using Topical Bakuchiol Formulations for the Treatment of Skin Disorders: A Systematic Review, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2024;23(4):239-243 — bakuchiol trials suggest efficacy but are methodologically limited (mostly uncontrolled, combination formulations)
Hu L et al., Effect and Mechanism of Tricholoma matsutake Extract Combined with Bakuchiol and Ergothioneine on UVB-Induced Skin Aging, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024
Puyana C et al., Applications of Bakuchiol in Dermatology: Systematic Review of the Literature, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022
An ancient humectant and antimicrobial ingredient with a long research track record. Its sugar matrix and flavonoids help draw in moisture and support skin comfort; formulas pairing honey with beeswax and olive oil have shown improvement in dry, irritation-prone skin in controlled trials.
Semprini A, Braithwaite I, Corin A, et al. Randomised controlled trial of topical kanuka honey for the treatment of acne. BMJ Open. 2016 Feb 1;6(2):e009448. — RCT: kanuka honey + antibacterial soap was NOT significantly more effective than antibacterial soap alone for acne; primary endpoint not met.
Jull AB, Cullum N, Dumville JC, Westby MJ, Deshpande S, Walker N. Honey as a topical treatment for wounds. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(3):CD005083.
Mandal MD, Mandal S. Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2011;1(2):154-160.
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.
Full ingredient list
Everything on the package label, not just the tracked actives above.
- Contains drying alcohol: AlcoholWorth knowing if you have sensitive or reactive skin.
- Contains silicones: Dimethicone, Disiloxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polysilicone-11No irritancy evidence. CIR rates this safe as used; some shoppers avoid it by preference.
+−Show all 55 ingredients
Listed in the order printed on the package. By regulation, ingredients at 1% or higher are listed in descending order by concentration, so the first entry is the largest part of the formula.
- Water/Eau/Aqua
- Propanediol
- Dimethyl Isosorbide
- Triheptanoin
- Dimethicone
- Glycerin
- Pentylene Glycol
- Hexyldecanol
- Disiloxane
- Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone
- Diheptyl Succinate
- Propylene Carbonate
- Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 0.5%
- PPG-24-Glycereth-24
- Phenyl Trimethicone
- Retinol
- Ubiquinone (Coq10)
- Honey Extract
- Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
- Algae Extract
- Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Extract
- Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract
- Bisabolol
- Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
- Phospholipids
- Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
- Lecithin
- Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
- 1,2-Hexanediol
- 4-T- Butylcyclohexanol
- Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
- Sorbitol
- Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
- Polysilicone-11
- Benzoic Acid
- Dehydroacetic Acid
- Sodium Phytate
- Glyceryl Polyacrylate
- Polysorbate
- Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
- Stearic Acid
- Brassica Campestris Sterols
- PVP
- Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
- Sodium Benzoate
- Alcohol
- Potassium Phosphate
- Decyl Glucoside
- Phenoxyethanol
- Hexylene Glycol
- Potassium Sorbate
- Tocopherol
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.