Kiehl's
Kiehl's Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum
Kiehl's Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum
Kiehl's
kiehls-retinol-fast-release-wrinkle-reducing-night-serum
Serum
10084733878565
Morning or Evening?
How often will you use this product?
Notes
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Retinol serum with multiple ingredients in two parts: serum and retinol powder
FEATURES
Targets wrinkles and fine lines; supports skin’s moisture barrier; skin-cleansing with plant-derived squalane; non-comedogenic; soap-free; suitable for all skin types
BEST FOR
all skin types
CHECKS
soap-free
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Wrinkles Fine Lines Cleansing DrynessBudget
Premium ($76-$150)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Kiehl's Says
Product Description:
Retinol serum is for wrinkles and fine lines. Squalane cleanser is formulated to clean skin by removing makeup and dirt. This cleanser also supports your skin’s moisture barrier through hydration. Its skin-cleansing properties harness plant-derived squalane, a well-studied moisturizing agent, alongside lipophilic esters that will leave your skin feeling smooth and soft while dissolving makeup. The formula is non-comedogenic and soap-free, so it’s gentle enough for daily use, suitable for all skin types, and suitable to combine with other products. Targets: Cleansing, dryness. Key Ingredients: Squalane. Format: Emulsion. When to use: Morning/Night. Suitable for: All skin types.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
aqua-water,glycerin,propanediol,butylene,glycol,glycereth-26,panthenol,1,2-hexanediol,polyglycerin-3,c12-14-pareth-12,phenoxyethanol,caprylyl,glycol,ammonium-acryloyldimethyltaurate-vp,copolymer,betaine,xanthan-gum,ethylhexylglycerin,adenosine,carbomer,glyceryl-acrylate/acrylic-acid,copolymer,tromethamine,glycereth-25,pca-isostearate,t-butyl-alcohol,tocopherol,cellulose,acetate-butyrate,tricaprylin,retinol,pentaerythrityl,tetra-di-t-butyl-hydroxyhydrocinnamate,silica-silylate,silica-magnesium-stearate
Key Ingredients
retinol,squalane
Ingredients Details
1-2-hexanediol
Common Name(s): 1-2-hexanediol,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class — physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
1-2-hexanediol has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,1-2-hexanediol technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Adenosine
Common Name(s): Adenine riboside,9-beta-d-ribofuranosyladenine
CAS Number: 58-61-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Reduces fine lines, stimulates collagen, firms skin, and reduces inflammation.
Why It's Used: Fda-recognized anti-wrinkle active with multi-action collagen stimulation + wrinkle reduction + anti-inflammatory efficacy.
How It Works: Activates adenosine a2a receptors on fibroblasts stimulating collagen type i. also activates pka pathway promoting atp production and reducing inflammatory cytokines.
Typically Found In: Anti-aging serums,wrinkle treatments,korean skincare
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – purine nucleoside / anti-aging
Secondary Functions: Collagen stimulation,anti-inflammatory,cell energy
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.04%–0.1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetically produced for cosmetic use.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; excellent tolerability.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. fda-recognized as safe and effective anti-wrinkle ingredient. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Other b vitamins,niacinamide,antioxidant complexes
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
A 2002 clinical study demonstrated 0.04% adenosine cream significantly reduced wrinkle depth and increased skin elasticity after 4 weeks. fda recognition requires controlled clinical trial evidence.
Last Verified: Cosing database,adenosine anti-aging clinical data,fda otc anti-wrinkle monograph
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Betaine
Common Name(s): Trimethylglycine,tmg,natural betaine
CAS Number: 107-43-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides osmoprotective humectant conditioning with anti-irritant and mild foam-boosting activity.
Why It's Used: Natural-origin multifunctional osmolyte from sugar beet providing hydration, anti-irritancy, and conditioning in virtually every cosmetic category.
How It Works: Quaternary ammonium betaine provides zwitterionic character for water binding via ionic hydration. osmoprotective function at 100–500mm as compatible solute protecting cells from osmotic stress. reduces surfactant irritation by competing with sls for protein binding sites. mild foam enhancement.
Typically Found In: Virtually all categories — moisturisers, shampoos, cleansers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – from beta vulgaris (sugar beet) molasses
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Betaine's anti-irritant mechanism for surfactant systems involves competitive protein protection: betaine at high concentrations preferentially interacts with skin proteins, occupying binding sites that would otherwise be occupied by surfactant molecules causing protein denaturation. this competition reduces available protein binding for irritating surfactants, explaining betaine's well-documented ability to reduce sls irritation when co-formulated.
Last Verified: Cosing database,craig betaine osmoprotective review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Carbomer
Common Name(s): Carbopol,polyacrylic acid,carboxyvinyl polymer
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides transparent gel textures and thickening at very low concentrations via ph-responsive swelling.
Why It's Used: The most widely used gel thickener – provides crystal-clear, stable gels at concentrations as low as 0.1-0.5% with ph-controlled viscosity.
How It Works: Highly crosslinked polyacrylic acid remains tightly coiled at acidic ph. neutralization with naoh or triethanolamine ionizes carboxylic groups causing electrostatic repulsion that unfolds and swells the polymer coils, dramatically increasing viscosity. concentration-dependent thickening.
Typically Found In: Gels,serums,emulsions,sunscreens
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – polyacrylic acid thickener
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Carbomer's ph-responsive swelling mechanism provides an elegant formulation control tool: a neutralized gel can be liquefied by ph reduction (adding acid) and re-thickened by reneutralization. this reversible rheology control allows two-phase products that mix on application without the need for mechanical emulsification.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12