Rétinal

Absorica

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Absorica Rétinal is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 20 ingredients (17 low-risk) rates it Excellent (96/100).

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Serums, Essence, Ampoules
Ingredients
20
Low-risk
17
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
Belgium
Data updated
Jun 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 3/4
Good for dry skin
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glycerin Propylene Glycol
Caution for dry skin
Xanthan Gum Glycerin Sodium Hydroxide PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin No data
Sensitive Skin 3/6
Good for sensitive skin
Glycerin Tocopheryl Acetate BHT
Caution for sensitive skin
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glycerin Propylene Glycol Potassium Sorbate PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil BHT

Ingredients list

20 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (6)
All20 Skin Conditioning9 Solvent6 Fragrance5 Viscosity Controlling4 Humectant4 Emulsion Stabilising3 Perfuming3 Cosmetic Colorant3
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM
(Antistatic, Skin Conditioning Emollient, Skin Protecting, Solvent)
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
B
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
(Fragrance, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Perfuming)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
3
B
Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
Methylpropanediol
(Solvent)
1
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
2
Mica
(Cosmetic Colorant, Opacifying)
3
Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
1
3
Titanium/Titanium Dioxide
(Cosmetic Colorant, Opacifying)
2
A
Chlorphenesin
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial, Preservative)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
3
A
Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative)
5
6
Retinal
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
6
A
BHT
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Masking)
1
A
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling)
2
CI 17200
(Cosmetic Colorant)

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

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Key ingredients

Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Retinoid
Visibly reduces the signs of aging.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.

Benefits

HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
Acne FightingFights acne and helps prevent breakouts.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Good For Oily SkinBalances oil and helps reduce shine.
Reduces Large PoresMinimizes the look of enlarged pores.

Concerns

Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
May not suit dry skin
May not suit sensitive skin

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM
Antistatic, Skin conditioning emollient
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AntistaticSkin conditioning emollientSkin protectingSolvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientMaskingPerfumingSkin conditioningSolvent
Methylpropanediol
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion stabilising, Film forming
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emulsion stabilisingFilm formingViscosity controlling
Mica
Cosmetic colorant, Opacifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 Cosmetic colorantOpacifying
Titanium/Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic colorant, Opacifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 1–3 Cosmetic colorantOpacifying
Chlorphenesin
Cosmetic biocide, Antimicrobial
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Cosmetic biocideAntimicrobialPreservative
Sodium Hydroxide
Denaturant, Ph adjuster
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B DenaturantPh adjusterBuffering agent
Potassium Sorbate
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A FragrancePreservative
Leontopodium Alpinum Meristem Cell Culture
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Chelating agent, Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Chelating agentViscosity controlling
Xanthan Gum
Binding agent, Emulsion stabilising
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Binding agentEmulsion stabilisingSkin conditioningSurfactant -emulsifying agentViscosity increasing agentBindingGel formingViscosity controlling
CI 17200
Cosmetic colorant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 Cosmetic colorant
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Fragrance, Emulsifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B FragranceEmulsifyingSurfactantPerfuming Fungal-acne trigger
Propylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B FragranceHumectantSkin-conditioningagent - miscellaneousSolventViscosity decreasing agentSkin conditioningViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 3 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin
Retinal
Skin conditioning
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5–6 Skin conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 CIR A AntioxidantFragranceMasking

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Evening: Use at night — start 2–3× a week and build up as your skin tolerates it.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.

Often avoided
Retinoids (Vitamin A) (Retinal)

Topical retinoids (retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl esters) are widely advised against in pregnancy as a precaution. The strongest evidence is for ORAL retinoids; topical absorption is low, but most clinicians err on the side of caution.

This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

Retinoids (Vitamin A) 0.01–1%

Most studied between 0.1% and 1%. Higher is not automatically better — irritation climbs with dose, so a well-formulated lower strength is often the sweet spot.

Retinal

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

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