Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum Review

Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Review

Does Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum has to offer:
 
  • Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10, impaired by the absence of humectants.

Key Benefits of Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum:
 

Very Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely occlusive. It has zero Humectancy (we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Squalane (est. ≈15.0%), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (est. ≈11.0%) and Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (est. ≈6.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing 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: Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum to your skincare routine:
 

Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It’s Better When Paired with Some Humectants

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 Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum contains no humectants at all.

People with dry 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.

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains some ingredients often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles, specifically Retinyl Palmitate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, and Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. 

While this does not categorically exclude the possibility that these ingredients may reduce wrinkles, their efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were accessible to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, these ingredients do not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

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.

Pros & Cons of Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Skin Republic Retinol 1% & Squalane 15% Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Provides the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin

Cons: 

  • May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry
  • Ideally needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy
  • Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
65
15
11
6
1
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Coco-Caprylate
Function:
Origin:
Squalane
Function:
Origin:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Function:
Origin:
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Retinyl Palmitate
Function:
Origin:
Tocopheryl Acetate
Function:
Origin:
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
Function:
Origin:
Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Function:
Origin:
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf/Stem Oil
Function:
Origin:
BHT
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
32.6
15.0
11.0
6.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
None
Occlusivity All occlusives 32.6 20
10.0
15.0
11.0
6.0
0.3
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
None
All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
15
11
6
0.3
0.3
All occlusives 32.6 20
10.0
All occlusives
32.6
15.0
11.0
6.0
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 1 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
0
Retinyl Palmitate
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
1
Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 2.8 3 No
All antioxidants
2.8
Tocopheryl Acetate
1
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
0.3
Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract
0.3
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract
0.3
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
0.3
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf/Stem Oil
0.3
BHT
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
None
All soothing 0 5 No
All soothing
0
None
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Coco-Caprylate
Est. %65
Function
Origin
Coco-CaprylateA naturally-derived or synthetically produced oil with a very light feel. An alternative to silicones, this ingredient spreads quickly and doesn't leave a residue on skin.
Squalane
Est. %15
Function
Origin
SqualaneAn 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.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Est. %11
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.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed OilA liquid plant wax, also known as Jojoba oil, pressed from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis. These seeds can contain up to 50% of liquid wax. It is used as an occlusive moisturizer, emollient, and emulsifier.
Retinyl Palmitate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Retinyl PalmitateAn esterified form of retinol – it combines retinol and palmitic acid into one molecule. Retinyl palmitate is less irritating than retinol but also much less effective in its anti-aging and acne-reducing effects.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Tocopheryl Acetate

An antioxidant derivative of tocopherol (vitamin E). It helps to protect cells from free radicals and UV damage through the conversion to active vitamin E in the skin. It is more stable than tocopherol.

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil

A famous olive oil widely used in skincare as an emollient and occlusive moisturizer. It contains mainly unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant flavonoids, and oleuropeins. Olive oil is listed as a common comedogenic ingredient by acne.org.

Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf ExtractAn antioxidant and fragrant extract from the leaves of the olive tree. It contains a promising anti-aging compound called Oleuropein, and a prospective anti-pigment compound called Cornoside.
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit ExtractAn antioxidant extract derived from olives. It contains promising anti-aging Oleuropein and prospective anti-pigment Cornoside.
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Argania Spinosa Kernel OilA fatty oil from Moroccan argan tree kernels commonly used as an occlusive moisturizer and emollient. Its uniqueness comes from its compounds: vitamin E, phospholipids, phenolic compounds, and rare phytosterols with antioxidant and emollient effects.
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf/Stem Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf/Stem Oil
BHT
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
BHTAn antioxidant ingredient that naturally occurs in green algae and some bacteria or fungi but, for commercial use, is created synthetically. BHT is also used occasionally as a fragrance, where it presents a sweet, camphor-like odor.