Nykaa E retail limited
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion
Nykaa E retail limited
the-ordinary-retinal-0-2-emulsion
Serum
10084764647717
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Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
High strength retinoid formula with 0.2% retinal concentration
FEATURES
Rapidly firms and smooths skin, reduces dark spots, refines skin texture, boosts luminosity, suitable for all skin types, contains synthetic oat analogues to soothe skin discomfort and dryness, bright yellow hue due to retinal
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
Free from Alcohol, Oil, Silicone, Gluten
Who Is It For?
All Genders Suitable For Experienced Retinoid Users; No Specific Age GivenWhat Does It Help With?
Improves Firmness Reduces Dark Spots Smooths Skin Texture Reduces Lines And Wrinkles Soothes Skin Discomfort And DrynessBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Nykaa E retail limited Says
Product Description:
Retinal 0.2% Emulsion is a very high strength retinoid formula that rapidly firms and smooths skin, while noticeably reducing the appearance of dark spots. It helps refine skin texture, while targeting uneven tone and boosting luminosity for brighter, more even-looking skin. The serum-textured formula is suitable for all skin types, and is recommended for experienced users of retinoids. Retinal offers more efficient delivery of vitamin A molecules than retinol. With a high 0.2% concentration, it improves skin firmness and the look of lines and wrinkles. Contains synthetic oat analogues (avenanthramide) to soothe skin discomfort and dryness associated with retinoid use. The formula's bright yellow hue is due to retinal concentration; may leave residual color on skin and fabrics, which can be minimized by allowing the product to absorb and washing with water or detergent.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
aqua-water,coco-caprylate-caprate,propanediol,pentylene-glycol,hydroxyapatite,retinal,cetylhydroxyproline-palmitamide,4-t-butylcyclohexanol,hydroxyphenyl-propamidobenzoic-acid,ergothioneine,biosaccharide-gum-1,bisabolol,brassica-campestris-sterols,zingiber-officinale-root-extract,butylene-glycol,isohexadecane,hexyldecanol,maltodextrin,caesalpinia-spinosa-gum,polyacrylate-crosspolymer-6,hydroxyethyl-acrylate-sodium-acryloyldimethyl-taurate-copolymer,stearic-acid,isoceteth-20,polysorbate-60,ascorbyl-palmitate,tocopherol,lactic-acid,sodium-lactate,sodium-hydroxide,ethylhexylglycerin,phenoxyethanol,chlorphenesin
Key Ingredients
Retinal,Avenanthramide
Ingredients Details
4-t-butylcyclohexanol
Common Name(s): 4-t-butylcyclohexanol,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 โ 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 โ 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%โ10%
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 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ 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: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
4-t-butylcyclohexanol has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,4-t-butylcyclohexanol technical literature
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
Chlorphenesin
Common Name(s): 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1,2-propanediol,globacid
CAS Number: 104-29-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides gram-negative focused preservation complementary to phenoxyethanol for comprehensive spectrum coverage.
Why It's Used: Phenoxyethanol complement โ chlorphenesin's gram-negative and antifungal coverage complements phenoxyethanol's gram-positive activity for full-spectrum preservation at lower individual concentrations.
How It Works: 4-chlorophenol ether glycol disrupts bacterial and fungal membranes. strong gram-negative activity (pseudomonas, e. coli). good candida antifungal activity. used with phenoxyethanol for synergistic broad-spectrum coverage. ph stable 3-9.
Typically Found In: Comprehensive preservation systems,baby products (low concentration)
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ glycerol ether preservative
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%โ0.3%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu max 0.3% cosmetics. good safety profile. synergistic combination with phenoxyethanol (0.3% pe + 0.1% chlorphenesin often equivalent to 1% pe alone).
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Chlorphenesin + phenoxyethanol synergy operates through a classic spectrum-filling combination: phenoxyethanol provides strong gram-positive antimicrobial activity while chlorphenesin provides gram-negative and antifungal coverage. the combination's minimum inhibitory concentration sum is subadditive (provides equivalent preservation at combined concentrations below what either alone would require) โ textbook pharmacological synergy enabling lower total preservative load.
Last Verified: Cosing database,eu preservative annex v,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Ergothioneine
Common Name(s): Egt,thiohistidine betaine
CAS Number: 497-30-3
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides cellular-accumulating antioxidant protection with dedicated skin uptake transporter and exceptional singlet oxygen quenching.
Why It's Used: The only antioxidant with a dedicated skin cell uptake transporter โ ergothioneine's octn1 transport ensures active accumulation in keratinocytes unlike passive-diffusion antioxidants.
How It Works: Thione form provides singlet oxygen quenching (ksoq ~1.3ร10โธ mโปยนsโปยน). octn1 transporter actively accumulates ergothioneine intracellularly. stable in formulation and in vivo. anti-glycation and anti-carbonylation activity.
Typically Found In: Premium anti-aging serums,anti-pollution products
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: 0.1%โ1%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from mushroom fermentation
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
Ergothioneine's octn1 transporter creates preferential accumulation in keratinocytes where uv-induced radical generation is greatest. this active cellular uptake mechanism provides intracellular ergothioneine concentrations 100โ1000ร above extracellular levels โ a concentration gradient impossible for passively-diffusing antioxidants to achieve.
Last Verified: Cosing database,paul & snyder ergothioneine transporter study
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12