Below is every ingredient in RETINOL INTENSE REPAIR NIGHT CREAM - 30ml 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.
Glyceryl glucoside is a naturally occurring sugar-glycerol compound used in skincare as a humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin. It is also studied for its ability to stimulate aquaporin water-channel expression, supporting skin hydration and barrier function.
Tocopheryl acetate is a stable, esterified form of vitamin E used in skincare as an antioxidant and conditioning agent. It is converted to active tocopherol in the skin, helping protect against oxidative stress and supporting the skin barrier.
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a lipid-soluble, stabilized derivative of vitamin C used in skincare for antioxidant protection and brightening. It penetrates the skin's lipid layers and is converted to ascorbic acid, supporting collagen synthesis and reducing hyperpigmentation.
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.
Retinyl palmitate is an ester of retinol and palmitic acid used as a vitamin A source and antioxidant in skincare. It is converted in the skin to retinol and then retinoic acid, offering milder anti-aging and skin-conditioning effects than stronger retinoids.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water itself is essentially inert; rare reactions are attributable to contaminants or accompanying ingredients rather than water. |
| Transepidermal water loss aggravation in compromised skin | Rare | Evaporation of water from products may transiently increase dryness in very compromised skin barriers if occlusives are absent. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
| Mild transient irritation or stinging | Rare | Generally well tolerated; occasional mild irritation on sensitive skin. |
| Contact allergy or sensitization | Very rare | Reports are sparse; allergic reactions are uncommon for this ingredient. |
| Mild skin irritation | Rare | Occasional transient redness or stinging, typically in those with sensitive skin. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | Isolated reports; coconut-derived ingredients can rarely trigger sensitization. |
| Comedogenicity / breakouts | Rare | Generally considered low comedogenic risk, but acne-prone individuals may occasionally react. |
| Mild skin irritation or transient redness | Rare | Generally well tolerated; occasional irritation in sensitive individuals. |
| Comedogenicity / pore congestion | Rare | Considered low comedogenic potential, but acne-prone skin may react. |
| Contact allergic reaction | Very rare | Limited reports; humectant sugars are generally well tolerated. |
| Temporary skin tackiness or stickiness | Uncommon | A cosmetic sensory effect rather than an adverse reaction, dependent on concentration. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Aqua Solvent / vehicle | Aqua (water) is the most common base ingredient in skincare formulations, serving as a solvent that dissolves water-soluble components and forms the medium for emulsions. It has no direct treatment activity and primarily contributes to texture, spreadability, and product delivery. |
| 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. |
| Glyceryl Glucoside Key active Humectant / moisturizer | Glyceryl glucoside is a naturally occurring sugar-glycerol compound used in skincare as a humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin. It is also studied for its ability to stimulate aquaporin water-channel expression, supporting skin hydration and barrier function. |
| Coconut alkanes Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Coconut Alkanes is a lightweight, plant-derived emollient (often paired with Coco-Caprylate/Caprate) used to soften skin and provide a silky, non-greasy slip in formulations. It serves as a natural alternative to silicones and mineral oils. |
| Coco caprylate/coprate Emollient / skin-conditioning agent | Coco caprylate/coprate is a lightweight ester derived from coconut-sourced fatty alcohols and caprylic/capric acids, used as a non-greasy emollient and natural alternative to silicones. It imparts a smooth, dry-touch finish and helps spread other ingredients in formulations. |
| Xyltylglucoside Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitylglucoside is a sugar-derived humectant (often part of a complex with anhydroxylitol and xylitol) used to attract and retain moisture in the skin and support the skin barrier. It is valued in formulations for its hydrating and soothing properties. |
| Anhydroxytol Humectant / hydrating agent | Anhydroxytol is a sugar-derived humectant used in skincare formulations to attract and retain moisture in the skin, improving hydration and surface smoothness. It functions primarily as a supportive base ingredient rather than a targeted treatment active. |
| Ethylhexyl Olivate Emollient | Ethylhexyl Olivate is an olive oil-derived ester (ethylhexyl alcohol and olive fatty acids) used as a skin-conditioning emollient that improves spreadability and provides a light, non-greasy skin feel. It functions primarily as a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Tocopheryl Acetate Key active Antioxidant | Tocopheryl acetate is a stable, esterified form of vitamin E used in skincare as an antioxidant and conditioning agent. It is converted to active tocopherol in the skin, helping protect against oxidative stress and supporting the skin barrier. |
| 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. |
| Polyglyceryl-4 Olivate Emulsifier/surfactant | Polyglyceryl-4 Olivate is a mild, plant-derived nonionic emulsifier produced from polyglycerin and olive oil fatty acids, used to blend oil and water phases and stabilize emulsions. It is valued as a gentle, biodegradable alternative to traditional ethoxylated emulsifiers. |
| Hydrogenated Lecithin Emollient / Emulsifier | Hydrogenated lecithin is a phospholipid derived from lecithin through hydrogenation, used in skincare as an emulsifier, emollient, and skin-conditioning agent. It also helps stabilize formulations and form liposomes that can aid delivery of other ingredients. |
| Sorbitol Humectant | Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol (polyol) used in skincare as a humectant and texture enhancer, drawing moisture into the skin and improving product spreadability. It is considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Key active Antioxidant / Vitamin C derivative | Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate is a lipid-soluble, stabilized derivative of vitamin C used in skincare for antioxidant protection and brightening. It penetrates the skin's lipid layers and is converted to ascorbic acid, supporting collagen synthesis and reducing hyperpigmentation. |
| 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. |
| Panthenol Humectant / skin-conditioning agent | Panthenol (provitamin B5) is converted to pantothenic acid in the skin, where it acts as a humectant and helps support skin barrier function and hydration. It is also used for its soothing and mild anti-inflammatory properties in topical formulations. |
| Retinyl Palmitate Key active Antioxidant / retinoid (vitamin A derivative) | Retinyl palmitate is an ester of retinol and palmitic acid used as a vitamin A source and antioxidant in skincare. It is converted in the skin to retinol and then retinoic acid, offering milder anti-aging and skin-conditioning effects than stronger retinoids. |
| Phenylethyl Alcohol Preservative/fragrance | Phenylethyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol used in skincare as a preservative and fragrance component, valued for its mild antimicrobial activity and rose-like scent. It is typically present at low concentrations as a formulation ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Triethylene glycol Solvent / humectant | Triethylene glycol is a low-molecular-weight glycol used in cosmetic formulations primarily as a solvent and humectant, helping to dissolve ingredients and retain moisture. It is considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Arachis Hypogaea Oil Emollient/Skin-conditioning oil | Arachis Hypogaea Oil (peanut oil) is a plant-derived emollient rich in oleic and linoleic fatty acids, used to soften skin and improve spreadability in creams, ointments, and massage products. It functions primarily as a base/carrier ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Squalane Emollient / occlusive moisturizer | Squalane is a saturated, stable hydrocarbon derived from squalene (sourced from plants like olives or sugarcane, or shark liver) used as a lightweight emollient that softens skin and reinforces the skin barrier by reducing transepidermal water loss. It is well tolerated, non-comedogenic for most users, and serves as a base or carrier ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
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.