Below is every ingredient in Retinol Under Eye Cream with Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) Root Extract is a botanical ingredient containing glycyrrhizin and glabridin, valued for its anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening properties. It is commonly used to calm irritation, reduce redness, and help fade hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase activity.
Morus Alba (white mulberry) extract is a botanical ingredient rich in arbutin, flavonoids, and other polyphenols that inhibits tyrosinase activity, helping to reduce melanin production and even skin tone. It also provides antioxidant effects that help protect skin from free-radical and UV-related oxidative stress.
Punica Granatum (pomegranate) Extract is a botanical ingredient rich in polyphenols, ellagic acid, and punicalagins used in skincare for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is studied for protecting against oxidative stress and supporting skin barrier function.
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that converts to retinoic acid in the skin, promoting cell turnover and stimulating collagen synthesis. It is widely used to address fine lines, photoaging, and acne.
Sodium ascorbate is a mineral (sodium) salt of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) used as a more pH-neutral, less irritating antioxidant in skincare. It functions to neutralize free radicals, support collagen synthesis, and brighten skin tone.
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a stable, water-soluble derivative of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that is converted to active ascorbic acid in the skin. It provides antioxidant protection, supports collagen synthesis, and is also studied for its brightening and anti-acne (antibacterial) effects.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Reported in sensitized individuals; patch testing can confirm. |
| Comedogenicity / clogged pores | Uncommon | Its high oleic acid content may contribute to pore congestion in acne-prone skin. |
| Skin irritation or redness | Rare | Generally well tolerated; mild irritation possible in sensitive skin. |
| Cross-reactivity in latex/avocado-allergic individuals | Very rare | Theoretical concern; topical reactions are uncommon compared with ingestion. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Rare | Generally very well tolerated; minor irritation reported mostly on compromised skin |
| Redness or tingling | Rare | Typically resolves quickly after discontinuation |
| Mild contact irritation | Rare | Occasional redness or stinging, usually in sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Mild transient skin irritation | Rare | Occasional stinging or redness, more likely on compromised or sensitive skin. |
| Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can cause stinging or irritation if products contact the eyes. |
| Comedogenicity (pore clogging) | Rare | Generally considered low risk, but may contribute to clogged pores in some acne-prone users. |
| Mild skin irritation or stinging | Rare | Occasional transient irritation, more likely in sensitive skin or with high concentrations |
| Redness or itching | Very rare | Isolated hypersensitivity reactions reported |
| Mild transient skin irritation or stinging | Uncommon | Generally mild and concentration-dependent, more likely on sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Contact urticaria | Very rare | Isolated reports of immediate hypersensitivity reactions. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Persea Gratissima Oil Emollient / skin-conditioning oil | Persea Gratissima Oil (avocado oil) is a plant-derived lipid rich in oleic acid, fatty acids, and unsaponifiables that is used in skincare to soften, moisturize, and reinforce the skin barrier. It functions primarily as an emollient and occlusive base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Betaine Humectant / osmolyte | Betaine is a naturally derived amino acid derivative (trimethylglycine) used in skincare as a humectant and osmoprotectant that attracts and retains moisture while helping stabilize skin barrier function. It also improves the texture and mildness of formulations. |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a lightweight emollient derived from coconut or palm oil and glycerin, used to soften skin, improve spreadability, and act as a solvent for oil-soluble ingredients. It is well-tolerated and serves primarily as a base ingredient rather than an active. |
| Carbomer Thickener / gelling agent | Carbomer is a synthetic high-molecular-weight polymer of acrylic acid used to thicken, stabilize, and control the viscosity of gels, creams, and lotions. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Cetyl Alcohol Emollient / emulsifier | Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol used in skincare and cosmetics as an emollient, thickener, and emulsion stabilizer. It softens skin and helps maintain the consistency and texture of creams and lotions. |
| Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract Soothing/hydrating botanical extract | Cucumis Sativus (cucumber) fruit extract is used in skincare for its hydrating, soothing, and mild antioxidant properties. It is commonly added to formulations to provide a cooling, calming sensation and to support skin moisture. |
| Ethylhexylglycerin Preservative booster / skin-conditioning agent | Ethylhexylglycerin is a multifunctional glyceryl ether used in cosmetics primarily as a preservative-enhancing agent and emollient, often paired with phenoxyethanol to broaden antimicrobial efficacy. It also acts as a deodorizing agent and humectant in skincare formulations. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Key active Soothing / brightening agent | Glycyrrhiza Glabra (licorice) Root Extract is a botanical ingredient containing glycyrrhizin and glabridin, valued for its anti-inflammatory and skin-brightening properties. It is commonly used to calm irritation, reduce redness, and help fade hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase activity. |
| Maltodextrin Carrier/film-forming agent | Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide derived from starch hydrolysis, used in skincare primarily as a carrier, bulking agent, film former, and stabilizer for active ingredients and powders. It also helps improve texture and can act as a mild thickening or emulsion-stabilizing aid. |
| Morus Alba Extract Key active Skin-brightening / antioxidant agent | Morus Alba (white mulberry) extract is a botanical ingredient rich in arbutin, flavonoids, and other polyphenols that inhibits tyrosinase activity, helping to reduce melanin production and even skin tone. It also provides antioxidant effects that help protect skin from free-radical and UV-related oxidative stress. |
| Parfum Fragrance | Parfum (fragrance) is a blend of aromatic compounds added to cosmetic products to impart a pleasant scent or mask the base odor of other ingredients. It serves a sensory/formulation purpose rather than providing any skin benefit. |
| Phenoxyethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative that protects cosmetic and skincare formulations from bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1% and serves as a formulation/base ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Punica Granatum Extract Key active Antioxidant | Punica Granatum (pomegranate) Extract is a botanical ingredient rich in polyphenols, ellagic acid, and punicalagins used in skincare for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is studied for protecting against oxidative stress and supporting skin barrier function. |
| Potassium Sorbate Preservative | Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, used as a mild preservative to inhibit mold, yeast, and some bacterial growth in cosmetic formulations. It is most effective at acidic pH and is often combined with other preservatives for broad-spectrum protection. |
| Water Solvent/vehicle | Water is the most common base ingredient in cosmetic formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves other ingredients and forms the bulk of emulsions and aqueous solutions. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating. |
| Retinol Key active Vitamin A derivative / anti-aging active | Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that converts to retinoic acid in the skin, promoting cell turnover and stimulating collagen synthesis. It is widely used to address fine lines, photoaging, and acne. |
| Rosa Canina Seed Oil Emollient / antioxidant oil | Rosa Canina Seed Oil (rosehip seed oil) is a plant-derived oil rich in essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acid) and trace carotenoids, used to moisturize, support the skin barrier, and provide mild antioxidant benefits. It is also valued anecdotally for improving skin texture and the appearance of scars. |
| Sodium Acrylates Copolymer Thickener / film-forming stabilizer | Sodium Acrylates Copolymer is a synthetic anionic polymer used to thicken, stabilize, and improve the texture of cosmetic formulations, often forming a smooth film on the skin. It functions primarily as a rheology modifier and emulsion stabilizer rather than a treatment active. |
| Sodium Ascorbate Key active Antioxidant / Vitamin C derivative | Sodium ascorbate is a mineral (sodium) salt of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) used as a more pH-neutral, less irritating antioxidant in skincare. It functions to neutralize free radicals, support collagen synthesis, and brighten skin tone. |
| Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate Key active Vitamin C derivative / antioxidant | Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate is a stable, water-soluble derivative of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that is converted to active ascorbic acid in the skin. It provides antioxidant protection, supports collagen synthesis, and is also studied for its brightening and anti-acne (antibacterial) effects. |
| Sodium Benzoate Preservative | Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid used as a preservative in cosmetic and skincare formulations to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, particularly in acidic products. It is most effective at a pH below 5. |
| Sodium Gluconate Chelating agent / skin-conditioning | Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid used in skincare primarily as a chelating agent to bind metal ions and stabilize formulations, with secondary humectant and skin-conditioning properties. It is generally considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant / hydrator | Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin to improve hydration and surface plumpness. Its lower molecular weight allows better penetration than native hyaluronic acid. |
| Stearic Acid Emulsifier / thickener | Stearic acid is a saturated long-chain fatty acid widely used in cosmetics as an emulsifier, thickening agent, and emollient to stabilize creams and lotions. It is generally considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Tocopherol Key active Antioxidant | Tocopherol (vitamin E) is a lipid-soluble antioxidant used in skincare to protect skin and formulations from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and UV exposure. It also functions as a skin-conditioning and emollient agent and can stabilize oils against rancidity. |
| Nymphaea Alba Flower Extract Soothing antioxidant | Nymphaea Alba (white water lily) flower extract is a botanical ingredient used in cosmetics for its antioxidant, soothing, and skin-conditioning properties. It is rich in flavonoids and tannins thought to help calm irritation and protect against oxidative stress. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.