Reference] UV Irradiation and Cutaneous Vitamin A: An Experimental Study in Rabbit and Human Skin, J. Invest. Dermatol. 83, 401–404.

Have you ever thought about putting snail mucus on your face? While it may sound a little weird, this ingredient can actually be hugely beneficial to the skin. The Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is probably one of the most well known snail secretion products on the market, and for good reason. This product contains a whipping 96% snail secretion filtrate, making this one of the most concentrated formulas available. This heavy dosage of snail mucin helps to repair and hydrate the skin in a very gentle way, which is why it’s become so popular, especially in K-beauty. Snail mucin as an ingredient is most well known for its repairative properties, and because of this, has been used to treat just about any skin condition you can imagine. This includes dryness, skin sensitivity, acne, hyperpigmentation and even signs of aging. While this ingredient isn’t nearly as fast acting as actives like retinol or exfoliating acids, if you’re looking for a reparative, staple product to add to your routine, this is an excellent option. Retinol: The star anti-aging ingredient, revered for its ability to firm the skin and diminish wrinkles. But that's not all – it also possesses sebum-regulating and anti-acne properties, giving you a holistic skincare solution. Phytosphingosine: A lipid found naturally in our skin that has antimicrobial and skin protective benefits Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A that works by increasing cell turnover and stimulating collagen production, helping to reduce multiple visible signs of aging.

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Sodium Hyaluronate (3%): This form of hyaluronic acid is highly effective in retaining moisture in the skin and helps maintain skin structure and balance.

Also known as Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR), Granative Retinoid technology works by activating the retinoid receptor on your skin cells without causing the irritation that typically comes along with retinol.The ingredient list is short and contains only ten total ingredients. COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil Key Ingredients Reference] Effects of 13-Cis-Retinoic Acid, All-Trans-Retinoic Acid, and Acitretin on the Proliferation, Lipid Synthesis and Keratin Expression of Cultured Human Sebocytes In Vitro, J Invest Dermatol. 1991, 96(5):792-7.

Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract: Rosemary is known for its antioxidant properties, which help to protect skin from environmental damage.This retinol oil is best suited for those who have used retinol before and have acclimated their skin to retinol (i.e., intermediate retinol users). I consider myself to be only an intermediate retinol user because, while I can use retinol at concentrations above 0.1% without irritation, stronger formulas tend to cause irritation. It’s important to introduce retinol slowly into your routine and build up your tolerance to it. Start with using the lowest concentration available and increase usage as tolerated. Since every retinol formulation is different, finding the formula that works for your skin type and the right concentration for your skin’s needs is essential. After applying retinol to your skin, it needs two conversions to become active. It first converts to retinaldehyde (retinal) and then converts to retinoic acid, the active form of retinol. Tocotrienol: Known as “super vitamin E”, this compound offers up to 50x greater antioxidizing effect than tocopherol (vitamin E). Squalene: An essential skin-identical substance and a crucial part of the Natural Moisturizing Factor of the skin. Witness its substantial antioxidant activity, defending your skin against environmental aggressors.

The serum contains 23% pure vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, which has three main benefits for the skin: One of my favorite retinol. I left this in the fridge to keep it fresh over 6 months. It has an oily texture but it keeps my skin hydrated and does not trigger breakouts. My friend noticed that my skin got clearer. I finished the bottle and would buy again. If you have oily skin, you might not be a fan of the squalane base since the finish is a bit shiny. Squalane: A natural emollient found naturally in the sebum of skin as squalene, squalane is a stable, non-irritating oily liquid that helps keep the skin moisturized.The serum also contains tocopherol and tocotrienol (super vitamin E), which are both antioxidant-rich to help protect the skin from environmental aggressors. As its name suggests, COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil contains 0.5% of pure retinol, making it a strong and efficacious product. This high concentration of pure retinol or Vitamin A works by decreasing wrinkles, fine lines and at the same time boost collagen production to smooth out uneven skin texture. In addition, squalane and super Vitamin E are added to help retain optimal moisture levels, prevent external environmental stress while reducing skin damage. Together, these ingredients complement one another to impart a healthy, fresh and youthful-looking radiance onto your skin! This Korean retinol oil is formulated for intermediate-level retinol users that want to improve skin radiance, fine lines, creases, and wrinkles while moisturizing with squalane. The Benefits Of Retinol Ascorbic Acid: A 23% concentration of pure vitamin C offers multiple benefits for the skin, including smoothing the look of wrinkles and fine lines, antioxidant protection, and brightening dullness and uneven skin tone. Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract: Rich in Vitamin C, this plant extract helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and even out skin tone.