Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream Review

Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream
2.8
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
5.5 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
5Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Review

Does Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream has to offer:
 
  • Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 2.8 out of 10.
  • Considerable anti-wrinkle efficacy: Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream has an anti-wrinkle rating of 5.0 out of 10, indicating a moderate ability to reduce wrinkles.

Key Benefits of Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream:
 

Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Normal Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 2.8 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely occlusive. It has zero humectancy (we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate occlusivity of 5.5 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Triethylhexanoin (est. ≈9.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, may provide some occlusive moisturizing that is adequate for normal skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Considerable Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream has a moderate anti-wrinkle rating of 5.0 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Retinal (est. ≈0.05%), 
 also known as retinaldehyde, is a potent retinoid with anti-wrinkle efficacy confirmed by a single clinical study involving 125 participants (Creidi et al.). This study demonstrated that a cream containing 0.05% retinal reduced the average wrinkle depth by 8% after 18 weeks of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without retinal).
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream to your skincare routine:
 

Needs to Be Paired with Extra Humectants for Optimal Moisturizing Efficacy

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains no humectants at all.

People with normal skin would definitely benefit from adding water-binding humectants to their moisturizing routine for effective dual-action moisturizing. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

Pros & Cons of Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Avene RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Provides the right level of occlusivity to moisturize normal skin
  • Balanced texture, neither too light nor too heavy
  • Provides considerable anti-wrinkle efficacy thanks to Retinal

Cons: 

  • Ideally needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
65
9
6
4
3
2.5
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.05
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Triethylhexanoin
Function:
Origin:
Cyclopentasiloxane
Function:
Origin:
Cetearyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Cyclohexasiloxane
Function:
Origin:
Ceteareth-20
Function:
Origin:
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Function:
Origin:
Ceteareth-33
Function:
Origin:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Function:
Origin:
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Benzoic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Retinal
Function:
Origin:
Tocopheryl Glucoside
Function:
Origin:
Oleoyl Dipeptide-15
Function:
Origin:
Mica
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Silica
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31
Function:
Origin:
Tocopherol
Function:
Origin:
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Function:
Origin:
Caramel
Function:
Origin:
Acid Red 33
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
10.9
9.0
1.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
2.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
None
Occlusivity All occlusives 10.9 20
5.5
9.0
1.3
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
2.8
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
None
All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
9
1.3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 10.9 20
5.5
All occlusives
10.9
9.0
1.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
5 /10 0.05 0.05 5
Total
5
Retinal
5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
5 /10
when present at, %
0.05
in this formula, est. %
0.05
Anti-wrinkle rating
5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.6 3 No
All antioxidants
0.6
Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
All soothing 0.6 5 No
All soothing
0.6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %65
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Triethylhexanoin
Est. %9
Function
Origin
TriethylhexanoinAn occlusive and emollient ester of glycerin and a fatty acid. It is easily spreadable and does not leave a sticky after-feel.
Cyclopentasiloxane
Est. %6
Function
Origin
CyclopentasiloxaneA lightweight, fast-spreading emollient that leaves a very soft and silky after-feel on the skin. Supplied as a clear and colorless liquid, cyclopentasiloxane is often used as a solvent to dissolve other silicones in.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Cetearyl AlcoholA blend of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, the fatty alcohols that are derived from palm oil. It helps to create emulsions that give off a soft and silky emollient feel and also increase product thickness.
Cyclohexasiloxane
Est. %3
Function
Origin
CyclohexasiloxaneA clear silicone fluid with very low viscosity that is commonly used as a solvent and emollient. It has excellent spreadability, rubs in quickly, and leaves a silky smooth after-feel on the skin.
Ceteareth-20
Est. %2.5
Function
Origin
Ceteareth-20A fatty alcohol emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water together, best for oil-in-water emulsions. It is also a cleansing agent. When combined with cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20 forms a mix that, according to acne.org, can be comedogenic.
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Polymethyl MethacrylateA powdered ingredient with an impressive sensory profile that gives off a creamy, sometimes velvety feeling on the skin. It is made up of tiny microspheres that roll smoothly across the skin and create slip and high spreadability.
Ceteareth-33
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Ceteareth-33
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideA natural occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient, it is a blend of glycerin and two fatty acids, caprylic and capric acid. It creates an oil-based protective layer on the skin, thereby preventing water loss.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerA polymeric ingredient that creates lightweight and refreshing gel textures. It also works as a viscosity controlling agent.
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) OilAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient fatty oil expressed from the seeds of a yellow-flowered plant which often opens its flowers in the evening (hence the name). It is light and suitable for problematic, eczematous, and inflammation-prone skin.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Benzoic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzoic AcidA preservative effective against fungi, yeast, and some bacteria. It is commonly paired with phenoxyethanol to create a broad spectrum preservation system. Benzoic acid can also serve as a pH adjuster, fragrance, and bulking agent.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Retinal
Est. %0.05
Function
Origin
Retinal

A potent ingredient of the retinoid group with confirmed anti-wrinkle capabilities.

Tocopheryl Glucoside
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopheryl Glucoside
Oleoyl Dipeptide-15
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Oleoyl Dipeptide-15
Mica
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MicaA mineral powder made up of silicates with several functions (the main one being as a colorant). It has a shimmery appearance, making it highly desirable in certain cosmetic products. Mica also helps the product to apply more smoothly.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Silica
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SilicaA widely used cosmetic ingredient with the same chemical composition as the sand found on beaches. A common function of silica is its ability to control viscosity. In certain chemical forms, it can effectively thicken cream-style products.
Salicylic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tocopherol

Simply another name for vitamin E. Tocopherol is a fantastic ingredient and especially beneficial for dry and inflamed skin. It has occlusive moisturizing, emollient, antioxidant, and photoprotective properties.

Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)One of two the most commonly used mineral sunscreens. It can absorb UV light, including UVB – which causes burning, tanning, and even skin cancer. Also used as a colorant, titanium dioxide gives a product a bright white color.
Caramel
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CaramelA natural ingredient that is derived from the heat treatment of table sugar. Caramel is used in skincare as a natural colorant that can create transparent, dark brown solutions. It also works as a fragrance, where it provides a sweet, sugary scent.
Acid Red 33
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acid Red 33