Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum

Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum
5.4
/ 10
Moisturizing
5.7 Humectancy icon Humectancy
5.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
2.9Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
$$$$

Review

Results you may expect from using Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.4 out of 10.
  • Some anti-wrinkle efficacy: Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 2.9 out of 10 so you may expect some, although limited, effect on wrinkles.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum has a moisturizing rating of 5.4 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? This product has relatively comparable levels of humectancy and occlusivity: a moderate humectancy of 5.7 out of 10, primarily due to the substantial concentration of Propanediol (est. ≈2.0%), and a moderate occlusivity of 5.0 out of 10, mainly due to the high content of Squalane (est. ≈6.0%) and Jojoba Esters (est. ≈3.0%).

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

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum has a slight anti-wrinkle rating of 2.9 out of 10.

It contains 2 active ingredients with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy:

  • Retinol (est. ≈0.1%),
    the most effective non-prescription ingredient with well-proven efficacy to reduce wrinkles.
  • Niacinamide (est. ≈0.3%),
    one of the most effective and well-researched anti-wrinkle ingredients.

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

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
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Ratings

All humectants
5.7
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
9.9
6.0
3.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 5.7 10
5.7
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 9.9 20
5.0
6.0
3.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
6
3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 9.9 20
5.0
All occlusives
9.9
6.0
3.0
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 5.7 10
5.7
All humectants
5.7
2
1.5
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
10 /10 0.4 0.1 2.5
6 /10 4 0.3 0.4
Total
2.9
Retinol
2.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
10 /10
when present at, %
0.4
in this formula, est. %
0.1
Niacinamide
0.4
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
6 /10
when present at, %
4
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
2.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 2.2 3 No
All antioxidants
2.2
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract
1.3
Niacinamide
0.3
Tocopherol
0.3
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Rating
3
0.3
All soothing 3.3 5 No
All soothing
3.3
3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
The 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.
Squalane
Est. %6
Function
Origin
An occlusive moisturizing and emollient compound that forms part of the skin’s sebum. The main source of squalane had always been shark liver. Now, however, it is manufactured synthetically or derived from plant oils, such as olive and peanut oil.
Cetyl Alcohol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
A waxy solid fatty alcohol derived from palm oil. It is most commonly used as a co-emulsifier and affects the final aesthetic of the product, leaving a soft and silky feeling on the skin. Cetyl alcohol is also used as a viscosity controlling agent.
Jojoba Esters
Est. %3
Function
Origin
A mixture of various wax esters from jojoba oil. It is used in skincare products as a fantastic emollient, soothing, and occlusive moisturizing agent that won't leave a sticky, oily feeling on the skin.
Propanediol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
An excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Glycerin
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
An extract derived from apple fruit that has humectant moisturizing and antioxidant properties, as well as gentle anti-pigment effects. It contains humectant sugars, anti-pigment organic acids, and flavonoids.
Dextrin
Est. %1
Function
Origin
A partially hydrolyzed potato starch, most commonly used as a viscosity controlling and binding agent. When dispersed into water, it can create textures ranging from a thick paste to a soft gel.
Retinol
Est. %0.1
Function
Origin

One of the most famous and well-researched anti-aging ingredients with a maximum anti-wrinkle power of 10 out of 10. It is proven to decrease wrinkles and help the skin regain its thickness, firmness, and texture. Retinol is also effective in treating pigmentation issues such as dark spots and acne.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A 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.
Tocopherol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
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.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
An emollient ingredient that is similar to ceramides in its structure. It provides a smooth and soft feeling to the skin.
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Description is coming soon
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A chemically modified version of hyaluronic acid. It is more stable and less sticky than regular HA, while still providing the same humectant moisturizing properties (according to the manufacturer). There have been no clinical studies to confirm this.
Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A very small-molecule version of regular sodium hyaluronate. It is a powerful humectant skin-identical ingredient that absorbs into the skin and offers plumping, smoothing, and anti-wrinkle effects.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A chelating agent that disables harmful heavy metal ions present in skincare.
Niacinamide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

1,2-Hexanediol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A multi-functional formula helper. It is a well-studied preservtive against bacteria and can help pigments and fragrances disperse evenly in a formula.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
A chelating agent used alongside preservatives in order to boost their antimicrobial activity.