
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
retinol serum with 27 ingredients
FEATURES
Contains 1% Pure Retinol, hydrating base with Aqua, Glycerin and Butylene Glycol, includes Bakuchiol as gentle alternative to retinol, brightens skin, diminishes signs of aging
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
Avoids irritation, does not include harsh chemicals
Who Is It For?
All Genders Suitable For Sensitive Skin Age Not SpecifiedWhat Does It Help With?
Skin Renewal Anti-aging Brightening HydrationBudget
Mid-range ($30-$75)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What THE MANGO FLAMINGO Says
Product Description:
This potent retinol formulation combines 1% Pure Retinol with a hydrating base of Aqua, Glycerin, and Butylene Glycol to effectively renew the skin while maintaining moisture. Retinol synergistically brighten the skin and diminish signs of aging, while Bakuchiol offers a gentle alternative to traditional retinol for skin rejuvenation.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Aqua,Glycerin,Butylene-Glycol,Ethylhexyl-Stearate,Dimethicone,Ascorbyl-Tetraisopalmitate,Saccharide-Isomerate,Cetearyl-Alcohol,Cetearyl-Domethicone-Crosspolymer,Cetearyl-Glucoside,Retinol,Retinyl-Palmitate,Bakuchiol,Borago-Officinalis-Seed-Oil,Sodium-Hyaluronate,Polysorbate-20,Ferulic-Acid,Bisabolol,Trideceth-10,Tocopheryl-Acetate,Ascorbyl-Glucoside,Centella-Asiatica-Extract,Biosaccharide-Gum-1,Niacinamide,Panthenol,Biotin,Rosmarinus-Officinalis-Leaf-Extract,Glycyrrhiza-Glabra-Root-Extract,Vitis-Vinifera-Seed-Oil,Phenoxyethanol,BHT,Ethylhexylglycerin
Key Ingredients
Retinol,Bakuchiol,Glycerin,Aqua,Butylene-Glycol
Ingredients Details
Bakuchiol
Common Name(s): Bakuchiol,(s)-bakuchiol
CAS Number: 10309-37-2
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides retinol-equivalent anti-aging gene expression from a natural plant compound without retinol's limitations.
Why It's Used: The natural retinol alternative โ the first plant compound with rct evidence for equivalent anti-aging results to retinol with better safety and photostability.
How It Works: Bakuchiol activates rar beta and retinoid x receptors via allosteric binding mechanism. upregulates type i, iii, and iv collagen synthesis genes. downregulates mmp-1 and mmp-9. antioxidant via phenol radical scavenging. photostable โ stable to uv exposure unlike retinol.
Typically Found In: Natural anti-aging serums,pregnancy-safe retinol alternative,photostable anti-aging
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ natural retinol alternative
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%โ2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from psoralea corylifolia seeds
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
The dhaliwal et al. (2019, british journal of dermatology) split-face rct directly compared 0.5% bakuchiol vs 0.5% retinol twice daily for 12 weeks โ both groups showed equivalent reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, but bakuchiol showed significantly less scaling, stinging, and burning. this is the strongest evidence that bakuchiol provides retinol-equivalent anti-aging with better tolerability.
Last Verified: Cosing database,dhaliwal et al. bakuchiol vs retinol rct
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Bht
Common Name(s): Bht
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers targeted skin-conditioning or bioactive benefits through a specific mechanism of action suited to the formulation's intended purpose.
Why It's Used: Specialty actives address specific skin concerns through targeted molecular mechanisms, providing efficacy beyond what base formulation ingredients alone can achieve.
How It Works: The bioactive compound interacts with specific molecular targets in skin cells or the extracellular matrix โ enzymes, receptors, structural proteins, or signaling molecules โ triggering beneficial biological responses.
Typically Found In: Serums,treatments,moisturizers,specialty products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Specialty actives
Secondary Functions: Skin-conditioning,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.01โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Specialty active ingredient; check individual sourcing for vegan status.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 0
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,peptides
Avoid Combining With: Incompatible with oxidizing agents; check ph stability
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Specialty actives typically work through enzyme inhibition (e.g., tyrosinase inhibition for brightening, mmp inhibition for anti-aging), receptor activation (e.g., retinoid receptors, ppar-ฮณ for barrier genes), or transcription factor modulation (e.g., nrf2 for antioxidant gene upregulation). structure-activity relationships determine potency and selectivity.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; ingredient-specific safety and efficacy literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15
Biotin
Common Name(s): Vitamin b7,vitamin h,d-biotin
CAS Number: 58-85-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Supports keratin production for stronger hair and nails.
Why It's Used: Hair and nail keratin infrastructure support; widely marketed despite evidence being primarily oral supplementation-based.
How It Works: Coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes essential for fatty acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism relevant to hair follicle function.
Typically Found In: Hair growth shampoos,nail treatments,multivitamin products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ vitamin b7
Secondary Functions: Hair growth support,nail strengthening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.01%โ0.5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetically produced for cosmetic use.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; excellent tolerability.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Other b vitamins,niacinamide,antioxidant complexes
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Evidence for topical biotin efficacy in hair growth is limited โ most clinical evidence comes from oral supplementation in biotin-deficient individuals.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,patel et al. (2017) skin appendage disorders
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Bisabolol
Common Name(s): Alpha-bisabolol,levomenol,(-)-alpha-bisabolol
CAS Number: 515-69-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Reduces skin inflammation, soothes irritation, promotes wound healing, and enhances penetration of co-formulated actives.
Why It's Used: Premium natural soothing active with combined anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and penetration-enhancing activity โ clinically validated across sensitive, reactive, and irritated skin types.
How It Works: Inhibits nf-kb pathway reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines il-1ฮฒ, il-6, tnf-ฮฑ. enhances stratum corneum lipid fluidity increasing penetration of co-delivered actives. antimicrobial against s. aureus and c. albicans. promotes keratinocyte migration for wound healing.
Typically Found In: Sensitive skin products,post-procedure formulations,anti-irritant formulas,wound healing
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ soothing / anti-inflammatory
Secondary Functions: Anti-inflammatory,penetration enhancement,antimicrobial
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 from candeia tree (vanillosmopsis erythropappa) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Natural (-)-alpha-bisabolol from brazilian candeia tree is more sustainable and potent than chamomile-derived bisabolol. synthetic (ยฑ)-bisabolol is racemic with slightly lower anti-inflammatory potency.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; ideal for reactive and sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ particularly recommended for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,panthenol,allantoin,hyaluronic acid,centella asiatica
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Bisabolol's dual function as both an anti-inflammatory and a penetration enhancer is synergistic โ by reducing the inflammatory response that increases barrier tightness while simultaneously fluidizing stratum corneum lipids, it provides enhanced delivery of co-formulated actives in the very conditions where delivery is most needed.
Last Verified: Cosing database,piazza et al. bisabolol anti-inflammatory study,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12