
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Retinol serum with 8 main ingredients
FEATURES
Anti-aging, reduces wrinkles and fine lines, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, smooths skin tone, reduces dryness
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
No greasy feeling
Who Is It For?
What Does It Help With?
Anti-aging Wrinkle Reduction Skin Elasticity Dry Skin Inflammation Skin Tone ImprovementBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Mond'Sub Says
Product Description:
Special added vitamin A, nicotinamide (retinol), carnosine, vitamin E (tocopheryl) active formula, quickly penetrates into the skin, smooth wrinkles and fine lines, making the skin more smooth and meticulous, increasing the skin firmness. This serum wakes up the epidermal layer of matrix tissue with no greasy feeling, and is refreshing and moist, absorption is very fast, making skin delicate, elastic, moist and shiny. Retinol should always be applied at night before going to bed as it helps restore skin elasticity.
Features:
- Anti-aging and reduces wrinkle: Retinyl Palmitate (Retinol) (Vitamin A) boosts collagen in the skin, minimises fine lines and wrinkles, and smooths the texture of the skin. Retinyl palmitate is used to treat mild acne and reduce the visibility of signs of aging. Retinol should always be applied at night before going to bed.
- Antioxidant and inflammatory: Tocopherol (vitamin E) is also a known antioxidant with potent anti-inflammatory benefits. It can strengthen the skin barrier against sun damage and is also popular as a treatment for minimising the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
- Wrinkle-free and smooth skin tone: Carnosine helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin tone and texture.
- Reduces dryness and wrinkles: Sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) is a type of hyaluronic acid that can penetrate deep into your skin's layers. It attracts moisture and reduces inflammation. When applied topically, sodium hyaluronate is excellent for reducing dryness and wrinkles.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Retinyl-Palmitate, Tocopherol, Carnosine, Sodium-Hyaluronate, Niacinamide, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Glycerin, Peg-40-Hydrogenated-Castor-Oil, Hexylene-Glycol, Tremella-Fuciformis-Polysaccharide, Triethanolamine, Carnosine
Key Ingredients
Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Carnosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Niacinamide
Ingredients Details
Carnosine
Common Name(s): Beta-alanyl-l-histidine,n-beta-alanyl-l-histidine dipeptide
CAS Number: 305-84-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides anti-glycation and anti-carbonylation activity protecting collagen from glycation-induced crosslinking.
Why It's Used: Natural anti-age dipeptide targeting glycation โ complementary to antioxidant-only anti-aging strategies with documented collagen protection.
How It Works: Histidine imidazole chelates cuยฒโบ for antioxidant metal chelation. beta-alanine traps reactive carbonyl species (glycating aldehydes). quenches 4-hydroxynonenal (hne) protein carbonylation. anti-glycation via competing with lysine residues.
Typically Found In: Anti-aging serums,anti-glycation products,longevity skincare
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Carnosine's anti-glycation mechanism is sacrificial carbonyl trapping: reactive carbonyl species (methylglyoxal, glyoxal) that would normally glycate collagen lysines are instead captured by carnosine's free amino groups โ carnosine acts as a sacrificial protector for collagen, being consumed in the process of preventing more damaging collagen glycation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,guiotto et al. carnosine anti-glycation review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Carnosine
Common Name(s): Beta-alanyl-l-histidine,n-beta-alanyl-l-histidine dipeptide
CAS Number: 305-84-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides anti-glycation and anti-carbonylation activity protecting collagen from glycation-induced crosslinking.
Why It's Used: Natural anti-age dipeptide targeting glycation โ complementary to antioxidant-only anti-aging strategies with documented collagen protection.
How It Works: Histidine imidazole chelates cuยฒโบ for antioxidant metal chelation. beta-alanine traps reactive carbonyl species (glycating aldehydes). quenches 4-hydroxynonenal (hne) protein carbonylation. anti-glycation via competing with lysine residues.
Typically Found In: Anti-aging serums,anti-glycation products,longevity skincare
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Carnosine's anti-glycation mechanism is sacrificial carbonyl trapping: reactive carbonyl species (methylglyoxal, glyoxal) that would normally glycate collagen lysines are instead captured by carnosine's free amino groups โ carnosine acts as a sacrificial protector for collagen, being consumed in the process of preventing more damaging collagen glycation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,guiotto et al. carnosine anti-glycation review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Hydroxyacetophenone
Common Name(s): Para-hydroxyacetophenone,piceol,4-acetylphenol
CAS Number: 99-93-4
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant and preservative-boosting activity in a naturally-occurring clean-label phenolic.
Why It's Used: Clean-label preservation support โ hydroxyacetophenone provides antioxidant and antimicrobial-boosting properties from a naturally-occurring compound accepted in natural cosmetic certifications.
How It Works: Para-hydroxyl group provides antioxidant radical scavenging. disrupts bacterial cell membrane penetration for preservative system boosting. anti-inflammatory via nf-kb inhibition. occurs naturally in plants including pear and raspberry as a secondary metabolite.
Typically Found In: Natural preservation systems,antioxidant serums,clean beauty
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ antioxidant preservative booster
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ natural from plants or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Hydroxyacetophenone's natural occurrence in fruits (pear, raspberry, passion fruit) at detectable concentrations provides clean-label justification for use in natural cosmetics. its cosmos certification acceptance reflects the growing demand for functional preservation ingredients that meet natural certification criteria โ an ingredient with genuine plant-origin credentials that provides meaningful antimicrobial and antioxidant functions simultaneously.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cosmos-standard approved ingredients,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12