Below is every ingredient in Plum 1Percent Retinol Face Serum With Bakuchiol For Smooth Youthful Looking Skin 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.
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.
Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract is a plant stem cell extract derived from a Swiss apple variety, marketed for antioxidant protection and to support the longevity and vitality of skin cells. It is commonly included in anti-aging formulations to help reduce signs of oxidative stress and photoaging.
Psoralea Corylifolia (Bakuchi) seed oil is the botanical source of bakuchiol and is used in skincare for antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin-conditioning effects, often marketed as a gentler retinol alternative. It also contains psoralens (furocoumarins), which are photoreactive compounds historically used in phototherapy.
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. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Sensitization can cause redness, itching, or rash, particularly in individuals allergic to plants in the Liliaceae family. |
| Mild stinging or burning on application | Uncommon | Transient sensation, more likely on broken or sensitive skin. |
| Skin redness or irritation | Rare | Generally mild and self-limiting; may relate to preservatives or anthraquinone content in poorly processed extracts. |
| Delayed wound healing | Very rare | Reported in isolated cases when applied to surgical or deep wounds. |
| Mechanical irritation or micro-abrasion | Uncommon | Mainly when used as a coarse physical scrub on sensitive or compromised skin. |
| Stickiness or tackiness on skin | Common | Cosmetic feel rather than a true adverse reaction, due to its hygroscopic nature. |
| Contact irritation or redness | Rare | Generally well tolerated; irritation usually relates to formulation or abrasion rather than sucrose itself. |
| Mild skin irritation | Uncommon | Transient stinging or redness, more likely on compromised or sensitive skin. |
| Enhanced penetration of co-formulated irritants | Uncommon | As a penetration enhancer it may increase absorption and irritation potential of other actives. |
| Mild irritation or stinging | Rare | Generally only with impure formulations or already compromised skin. |
| Acneiform breakouts / clogged pores | Rare | Low comedogenic rating, but acne-prone individuals may occasionally react. |
| Comedogenicity (pore clogging) | Uncommon | May contribute to breakouts in acne-prone individuals depending on formulation. |
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. |
| Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Soothing/humectant | Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is a plant-derived ingredient used in skincare for its hydrating, soothing, and emollient properties, often included to calm irritation and improve skin moisture. It functions primarily as a base/conditioning agent rather than a targeted treatment active. |
| Sucrose Humectant / emollient | Sucrose is a sugar used in skincare primarily as a humectant that attracts and retains moisture, and as a mild physical exfoliant in scrub formulations. It also functions as a texture-enhancing and slip agent in cosmetic bases. |
| Propanediol Humectant/solvent | Propanediol is a plant-derived glycol used in skincare as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer that improves moisturization and the spreadability of formulations. It also helps solubilize other ingredients and can boost the efficacy of certain actives. |
| 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. |
| Isodecyl Neopentanoate Emollient/skin-conditioning agent | Isodecyl Neopentanoate is a lightweight ester emollient used to soften skin and improve spreadability and texture in cosmetic formulations. It imparts a dry, silky feel and serves as a base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| 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. |
| Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract Key active Antioxidant / skin-conditioning | Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract is a plant stem cell extract derived from a Swiss apple variety, marketed for antioxidant protection and to support the longevity and vitality of skin cells. It is commonly included in anti-aging formulations to help reduce signs of oxidative stress and photoaging. |
| Hydrolyzed Rice Protein Conditioning agent / film-former | Hydrolyzed rice protein is a water-soluble blend of amino acids and peptides derived from rice, used in skincare and haircare to provide moisturizing, conditioning, and film-forming benefits that improve surface smoothness and hydration. It is primarily a cosmetic functional ingredient rather than a clinically active treatment. |
| Hydrolyzed Pea Protein Film-forming conditioning agent | Hydrolyzed Pea Protein is a plant-derived protein fragment used in skincare and haircare to provide temporary film-forming, moisturizing, and smoothing effects on skin and hair. It can help improve surface hydration and texture but does not penetrate deeply or alter skin biology. |
| Glycine Amino acid / humectant | Glycine is a small amino acid used in skincare as a humectant and conditioning agent, supporting skin hydration and acting as a building block for collagen and natural moisturizing factor. It is generally considered well-tolerated and is often included as part of moisturizing or barrier-support formulations. |
| Proline Amino acid / skin-conditioning agent | Proline is a non-essential amino acid and a key component of collagen, used in skincare as a humectant and skin-conditioning agent to support hydration and the skin barrier. It is generally well tolerated and often included in formulations for its moisturizing and structural-protein-supporting properties. |
| Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant / hydrating agent | Hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate is an enzymatically or chemically fragmented, low-molecular-weight form of sodium hyaluronate used in skincare to attract and bind water. Its smaller size allows better penetration into the upper layers of the skin compared to high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, supporting surface hydration and a smoother appearance. |
| Psoralea Corylifolia (Bakuchi) Oil Key active Antioxidant / plant-derived retinol alternative | Psoralea Corylifolia (Bakuchi) seed oil is the botanical source of bakuchiol and is used in skincare for antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin-conditioning effects, often marketed as a gentler retinol alternative. It also contains psoralens (furocoumarins), which are photoreactive compounds historically used in phototherapy. |
| Benzyl Alcohol Preservative / solvent | Benzyl alcohol is an aromatic alcohol used primarily as a preservative and solvent in cosmetic formulations, and it also provides mild fragrance and viscosity-reducing properties. It is approved for use as a preservative at concentrations up to about 1% in leave-on and rinse-off products. |
| Hydroxyacetophenone Antioxidant / soothing agent | Hydroxyacetophenone (acetophenone-based compound, often 4'-hydroxyacetophenone) is used in skincare primarily as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning agent that can also enhance the stability and efficacy of preservative systems. It is valued for its soothing properties and helps neutralize free radicals while reducing potential irritation from other formulation components. |
| Caprylyl Glycol Humectant / skin-conditioning agent and preservative booster | Caprylyl glycol is a multifunctional emollient and humectant derived from caprylic acid that helps hydrate skin and enhance the efficacy of preservatives in formulations. It is widely used as a stabilizing and conditioning base ingredient rather than a therapeutic active. |
| Xanthan Gum Thickener/stabilizer | Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation, used in skincare as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilizing agent. It improves product texture and suspension of ingredients without contributing active treatment effects. |
| 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. |
| Lecithin Emollient / Emulsifier | Lecithin is a naturally occurring phospholipid (commonly derived from soybean or egg) used in skincare as an emulsifier, emollient, and penetration enhancer. It helps stabilize oil-and-water formulations and supports the skin barrier by mimicking natural lipids. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Cyclodextrin Stabilizer / delivery carrier | Cyclodextrin is a cyclic oligosaccharide that forms inclusion complexes with hydrophobic molecules, used in skincare to stabilize, solubilize, and improve delivery of active ingredients while reducing odor and irritation. It functions primarily as a formulation aid rather than a direct skin-active. |
| Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Emulsifier/stabilizer (thickener) | Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a synthetic acrylate-based polymer used to thicken, stabilize, and emulsify cosmetic formulations, creating smooth gel and cream textures. It is widely employed as a rheology modifier and is not a therapeutic active. |
| Isohexadecane Emollient / solvent | Isohexadecane is a synthetic, branched-chain hydrocarbon (saturated isoparaffin) used as a lightweight emollient, solvent, and spreading agent in cosmetic formulations. It imparts a silky, non-greasy feel and helps disperse pigments and other ingredients. |
| Polysorbate 60 Emulsifier / surfactant | Polysorbate 60 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from sorbitol and stearic acid, used to blend oil and water phases and stabilize emulsions in creams and lotions. It functions as a formulation aid rather than a therapeutic active. |
| 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 Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate Emulsifier / thickener | Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate is a synthetic acrylate-based polymer used as a thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in cosmetic formulations. It helps create smooth, gel-like textures and stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions. |
| Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer Thickener/stabilizer | Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer is a synthetic acrylic copolymer used in skincare to thicken, gel, and stabilize emulsions, providing viscosity control and a smooth texture. It functions as a rheology modifier and film former rather than a biologically active treatment ingredient. |
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.