What is Retinol?

Role not confirmed

We haven't written up what this ingredient does yet. The products below feature it as a key ingredient.

Anything to watch out for?

Some products' ingredient lists mark this ingredient as below. If a mark's reason fits your skin, it is the ingredient to weigh in those products.

Pregnancy skincare guidance lists this ingredient as one to be careful with.: Marked this way on 54 products.

Each mark comes from matching the product's full ingredient list against lists for fragrance, labeled fragrance allergens, drying alcohols, essential oils, fungal acne, pore clogging, and pregnancy caution.

Which products feature it?

45 of the 2320 products we've checked feature this as a key ingredient. Products that disclose a concentration or list it near the top of the ingredient list come first.

Showing 1 to 12.

COSRX
The Retinol 0.5 Oil
It's made for firmer skin and less visible pores.
Key: Retinol (#4 on the ingredient list · 0.5%), Squalane, Tocopherol
Official (Korean)
53 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
firmer skin · less visible pores (amount unknown) · better hydration (amount unknown)
Don't count on:
softer-looking fine lines · calmer skin · clearer-looking skin
See each claim
claims, checked
Powerful skin slow-aging effect in a single dropplausible, not tested
Lightly absorbs for a shimmering silky oil formulaplausible, not tested
+ Firmness & Smooth + Improve radianceplausible, not tested
Retinol #PoreCare Normalizes slowed cell turnover and makes skin smooth!plausible, not tested
An oil formula with a light feelplausible, not tested
A watery formula that spreads instantly on contact for a dewy feel!plausible, not tested
Fast absorption and a light finish make next-step care easy.plausible, not tested
Perfect-match synergistic ingredients deliver smooth glow and hydrationplausible, not tested
Super Vitamin E + Squalanepartly backed
Skin aging index improvement, pore improvementpartly backed
Lifting carepartly backed
Inner elasticity and outer elasticity carepartly backed
Begin a different level of slow-aging with pure retinol 0.5%partly backed
Retinol for the experienced that delivers pure retinol 0.5% special slow-aging effectpartly backed
Squalane #MoistureCare Protects the skin from external irritants / harmful ingredients / moisturizespartly backed
High-concentration formulation of pure retinol 0.5%, more effective than retinol derivativespartly backed
Improvement effect of *skin aging index by 4% confirmed through human application testpartly backed
Eye area skin angle 12.2%partly backed
Cheek area skin angle 10.3%partly backed
Mouth corner skin angle 13.7%partly backed
Jawline skin angle 13.5%partly backed
More compact and dense, smooth and firm, texture & elasticity carepartly backed
Soft to the touch, *surface elasticity +16% increasepartly backed
Firming from within, *inner elasticity +13% increasepartly backed
#HighStrengthRetinol Special Slow-Aging (Night Intensive)partly backed
Pure retinol 0.5%, Super Vitamin E, plant-derived squalanepartly backed
The Slow-Aging secret of Cosrx Retinol that thoroughly cares for sagging / elasticity / poresoverstated
Clinically proven skin aging index improvement effectoverstated
The Slow-Aging secret of Cosrx Retinol that thoroughly cares for sagging / elasticity / pores, the main culprits of skin agingoverstated
The daily anti-aging oil that the reviews speak foroverstated
Satisfaction with skin changes over approximately 4 weeks, experienced by 100% of consumers without exaggerationoverstated
100% felt that fine lines across the face were reducedoverstated
100% felt their skin became elastic and liftedoverstated
100% felt their skin texture became smooth, moist, and softeroverstated
1st place Beauty AWARDS 2022 Wrinkle Functional - Creamno supporting source found
2位 K-COSME AWARDS 2023 乳液クリーム Qoo10no supporting source found
BEST OF Forbes VETTED 2024no supporting source found
Wrinkle improvement functional productno supporting source found
Refreshing retinol oil that relieves burdenno supporting source found
One-step synergy care that completes radiance, hydration, and elasticityno supporting source found
Teukoteurienol #ElasticityCare Synergy with retinol for an elasticity-enhancing effectno supporting source found
No.1 on Hwahae just 3 months after launch!no supporting source found
1st place Beauty AWARDS Best New Product 2022 H2 Face Oil categoryno supporting source found
In just 2 weeks! Improves large, enlarged poresno supporting source found
Soothes skin troubles and marks at once for smooth, clean skin careno supporting source found
Refreshingly erases *the 4 major trouble concernsno supporting source found
Pore volume -21.95%no supporting source found
Pore area -20.91%no supporting source found
Pore count -29.48%no supporting source found
Pore depth -33.34%no supporting source found
Completed 2 skin irritation tests; safe for sensitive skinno supporting source found
Skin primary irritation test completedno supporting source found
Primary irritation test completed for sensitive skinno supporting source found
COSRX
The Retinol 0.3 cream
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for wrinkle improvement.
Key: Retinol (#20 on the ingredient list · 0.3%), Adenosine, Tocotrienols
Official (Korean)
26 claims, summarized
You can expect:
softer-looking fine lines
Only partly backed:
less visible pores (amount unknown) · firmer skin (amount unknown) · calmer skin (amount unknown) · better hydration
Tests passed:
non-comedogenic · skin irritation
See each claim
claims, checked
Functional for wrinkle improvementbacked by evidence
Pure retinol 0.3%backed by evidence
For retinol-experienced usersplausible, not tested
+ Fimness & Smooth + Youthful-looking Skinplausible, not tested
Super vitamin E (Tocotrienol) for skin protection and skin boostingplausible, not tested
Panthenol (vitamin B5) provides moisture and calms skinplausible, not tested
Allantoin soothes and protects skinplausible, not tested
Hyaluronic acid hydrates and maintains moistureplausible, not tested
A retinol formula that adheres thinly and tightly, absorbs without stickiness, and fills with moisture from within, providing a noticeable difference in skin textureplausible, not tested
An aluminum tube is applied to stably maintain the efficacy of retinol, which is susceptible to light, heat, and oxygen.plausible, not tested
Tighten and firm from pore elasticity to deep wrinkles with pure retinol that is 3 times* more abundant!partly backed
Improves various skin aging signs that start from sagging pores with no elasticitypartly backed
Suitable for use on acne-prone skinpartly backed
Low irritationpartly backed
Designed with an optimal blend of pure retinol that is 3 times* more powerful, including super vitamin E and panthenol, to boost retinol's benefits while protecting the skinpartly backed
Helps with 6-fold pore improvement for firm, elastic pores without saggingpartly backed
Helps with 6-fold wrinkle improvement from fine lines to deep wrinklespartly backed
Helps with 4-fold lifting improvement for firmness across the entire facepartly backed
Helps improve surface elasticity of skin by filling it thoroughly from within for firm skinpartly backed
Safe even for sensitive skin - 2 types of skin irritation tests completedpartly backed
Completed non-comedogenic test* so acne-prone skin can be reassuredpartly backed
Deep wrinkle carepartly backed
Because it is 3 times* more powerful, a more assured anti-aging effectoverstated
Skin improvement satisfaction 100%overstated
Improves skin aging indexno supporting source found
The optimal anti-aging solution that firmly holds sagging pores and skin elasticity.nothing specific to check
celimax
Retinol Shot Tightening Serum
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for wrinkle improvement.
Key: Retinol (#15 on the ingredient list · 0.1%), Adenosine, Copper Tripeptide-1
Official (Korean)
7 claims, summarized
You can expect:
softer-looking fine lines
Don't count on:
less visible pores
See each claim
claims, checked
Functional cosmetics for wrinkle improvementbacked by evidence
Tighteningplausible, not tested
As a result of a 24-hour patch test on sensitive skin, the average skin reaction was 0.00, and it was judged as low (no) irritation.plausible, not tested
Pregnant women and nursing mothers are not recommended to use because the skin becomes sensitive due to hormonal changes.partly backed
With just one use, absorption depth improved by 797.51%overstated
With 2 weeks of use, overwhelming 4-fold pore improvementoverstated
Shotnothing specific to check
COSRX
The Retinol 0.1 Cream
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for wrinkle improvement.
Key: Retinol (#25 on the ingredient list · 0.1%), Adenosine, Panthenol
Brand store Olive Young US Amazon· Seller not confirmed Official (Korean)
2 claims, summarized
You can expect:
softer-looking fine lines
See each claim
claims, checked
Wrinkle improvement functionalbacked by evidence
Shelf life 36 months / recommended to use within 12 months after openingbacked by evidence
Dominus
At Clinic Retinol 1600 Neck Shot Neck Wrinkle Serum
Key: Retinol (#37 on the ingredient list · 0.05%), Niacinamide, Adenosine
Official (Korean)
3 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
less visible dark spots (amount unknown) · softer-looking fine lines (amount unknown)
See each claim
claims, checked
Retinol 1600backed by evidence
[Neck Wrinkle Improvement]plausible, not tested
Functional ingredients: Niacinamide (whitening), Adenosine (wrinkle improvement)partly backed
sidmool
Vita5 Diatomite Modeling Rubber Mask
It's made for better hydration.
Key: Retinol (#11 on the ingredient list · 0.01%), Diatomaceous Earth 80%, Ascorbic Acid 1%
Official (Korean)
9 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
better hydration
Don't count on:
less visible pores · a brighter skin tone · firmer skin · a smoother skin texture
See each claim
claims, checked
Vita 5 Diatomite Modeling Packbacked by evidence
Complex Multi-Vitamin Prescriptionbacked by evidence
Applies ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin Cbacked by evidence
US-made diatomite Pore & Kerato carepartly backed
Provides a moisturizing function to keep skin moistpartly backed
Retains skin elasticity and youthoverstated
It is a natural functional derma cosmetic to solve your skin concerns.no supporting source found
For pores + dead skin cells + adsorption + moisturizing + brightening + elasticity, the Vita5 Modeling Pack made from plant-derived ingredients beautifully cares for your skin texture.contradicted by sources
Helps care for weakened skinnothing specific to check
P.CALM
P.CALM Retinol Collagen Overnight Gel Mask
Key: Retinol (#8 on the ingredient list · 0.001%), Hydrolyzed Collagen, Niacinamide
Official (Korean)
7 claims, summarized
Don't count on:
less visible pores
See each claim
claims, checked
✅ Retinol 0.001% + COLLAGEN 50,000ppbbacked by evidence
P.CALM | Harmony of retinol and collagen for elastic skin care. Reassuring for sensitive skin, a scientific solution for daily use.partly backed
Ingredients and human application testno supporting source found
✅Pore improvement test completedno supporting source found
✅Low irritation test completed, irritation index 0.00no supporting source found
The pore elasticity mask that finishes with one sheetnothing specific to check
Sensitive skin that easily gets irritatednothing specific to check
Mediheal
레티놀 콜라겐 아이 앰플 패치 (Korean)This brand publishes no English name for this product. The name above is as printed in Korean.
It's made for firmer skin.
Key: Retinol (#7 on the ingredient list), Hydrolyzed Extensin, Hydrolyzed Collagen
3 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
less visible dark spots · softer-looking fine lines · firmer skin (amount unknown)
See each claim
claims, checked
Whitening / wrinkle improvement functional cosmeticspartly backed
Collagen and Redinol are ingredients that manage wrinkles and strengthen elasticity.partly backed
Filled generously with a high-concentration ampoule, it intensively manages eye area elasticity.overstated
Mediheal
Vita Collagen Eye Ampul Patch
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for brightening and wrinkle improvement.
Key: Retinol (#7 on the ingredient list), Collagen, Hydrolyzed Extensin
4 claims, summarized
You can expect:
less visible dark spots · softer-looking fine lines
See each claim
claims, checked
Whitening improvement (functional)backed by evidence
Wrinkle improvement (functional)backed by evidence
Whitening improvement (functional cosmetics)backed by evidence
Wrinkle improvement (functional cosmetics)backed by evidence
Charde
Melacare Peel Cream Mask
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for brightening and wrinkle improvement.
Key: Retinol (#14 on the ingredient list), Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin
Official (Korean)
23 claims, summarized
You can expect:
less visible dark spots · softer-looking fine lines
Only partly backed:
a brighter skin tone
Tests passed:
skin irritation
See each claim
claims, checked
Sensitive skin irritation test completedbacked by evidence
Functional cosmetics reported to the MFDSbacked by evidence
Whitening, wrinkle improvement double functional cosmeticsbacked by evidence
From inner spots to traces, 5 types of spot improvement clinical trials completedpartly backed
Contains patented ingredient that inhibits melanin productionpartly backed
Skin that becomes transparently brighter the more you apply and peel offpartly backed
Active ingredients absorbed into the skin help care for melanin deposition and spot traces.partly backed
Just 7 days, changing skin tone, intensive care for 5 types of spotspartly backed
Improvement of 5 types of spotspartly backed
Skin glow improved by 34.53%partly backed
Even after discontinuation of use, alleviates spot formationpartly backed
5-step intensive care with SPOTSHOT™ ingredientpartly backed
In 1 week, even skin tone is cared for evenlypartly backed
This is a whitening and wrinkle improvement functional cosmetic containing efficacy ingredients and contents notified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.partly backed
Shard Melacare Peel Cream Mask is judged as non(no)-irritating based on human application test results.partly backed
It is a low-irritation product that has completed skin irritation testing, so you can use it with peace of mind.partly backed
Super simple spot and glow care completed in just 40 minutes a day!overstated
Effect of preventing re-formation by improving from deep within the skinoverstated
Powerful IN & OUT seamless adhesion* care solutionoverstated
Skin that brightens in 40 minutes a dayoverstated
User satisfaction 100%no supporting source found
Test results of excellent efficacy of patented ingredient*no supporting source found
Yes, it can be used daily.no supporting source found
Isntree
Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum
Key: Retinol (#16 on the ingredient list), Retinyl Palmitate, Bakuchiol
Official (Korean)
DERMAFIRM
Vita Active Micro Crystal Patch Plus
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for brightening and wrinkle improvement.
Key: Retinol (#17 on the ingredient list), Hyaluronic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside
Official (Korean)
7 claims, summarized
You can expect:
less visible dark spots · softer-looking fine lines
Only partly backed:
a brighter skin tone · better hydration
Don't count on:
firmer skin
See each claim
claims, checked
Functional cosmetics review (or reporting) completed in accordance with the Cosmetics Act / Whitening, wrinkle improvement functionalitybacked by evidence
This product contains 817,091 ppm (80%) of low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, which enhances skin moisture retention. The hyaluronic acid has been broken down into smaller fragments, with an average molecular weight of 50kDaplausible, not tested
Contains Dermafirm's patented Glutathione Nano Brightening (4,300 ppm of Glutathione). Patent Status(Application No. 10-2587666)partly backed
Dual (brightening & anti-wrinkle) functional product approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safetypartly backed
The ultra-fine needles (thinner than hair) directly deliver active ingredients to the skinoverstated
Clinically proven results after just one use. Eye Bag Lifting: Improved by 14.17%. Fine Lines Around the Eyes: Reduced by 17.55%. Melanin Levels: Reduced by 26.31%. Dark Spots: Reduced by 17.27%. Nasolabial Volume: Improved by 12.50%. Nasolabial Wrinkles: Reduced by 16.46%no supporting source found
Containing "Botox-like peptides" with mechanisms similar with Botox : Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptideno supporting source found

Often featured alongside it

Are the claims about it backed up?

We checked each claim that features this ingredient. Open the list below to see the result for each one.

See the results by claim

Result	Claims
backed by evidence	5 of 77
plausible, not tested	8 of 77
partly backed	32 of 77
overstated	11 of 77
no supporting source found	19 of 77
nothing specific to check	2 of 77

These are counts of claims, not products. One product can name the same ingredient in several claims, and we checked each one on its own.