Intensive Retinol
The Institut Esthederm Intensive Retinol is a moisturizer. Our analysis of its 22 ingredients (17 low-risk) rates it Excellent (98/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
The Institut Esthederm Intensive Retinol is a moisturizer. Our analysis of its 22 ingredients (17 low-risk) rates it Excellent (98/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to dry skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
Dry Skin
8/5
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
0/1
Sensitive Skin
3/6
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
1
|
B
|
Cetearyl Isononanoate
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient) |
|
|
3
|
A
|
Cyclopentasiloxane
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Solvent) |
Silicone
|
|
1
|
B
|
Propylene Glycol Dicaprate
(Skin Conditioning Agent Occlusive, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Dipropylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Masking, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
|
Palmitamide DEA
(Antistatic, Surfactant Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Cetearyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Opacifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Increasingagent Aqueous, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
3
|
B
|
TEA-Stearate
(Cleansing, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
|
|
1
|
B
|
Cetyl Palmitate
(Fragrance, Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
1
|
B
|
Cetearyl Glucoside
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
|
4
|
A
|
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
Paraben
|
|
2
|
A
|
Chlorphenesin
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial, Preservative) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
(Film Forming, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient) |
|
|
|
|
Retinyl Palmitate
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Miscellaneous) |
|
|
3
|
B
|
Polysorbate 60
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
3
|
B
|
Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
|
|
|
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
(Antioxidant) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Sorbitan Stearate
(Fragrance, Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
1
|
|
Carnosine
(Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
1
|
|
Laminaria Digitata Extract
(Skin Protecting) |
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How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
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.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
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.
Retinyl Palmitate
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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