Retinol-Some 1.9% NMN Boosting Serum

MediCube

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The MediCube Retinol-Some 1.9% NMN Boosting Serum is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 63 ingredients (51 low-risk) rates it Excellent (98/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone, dry, and sensitive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Serums, Essence, Ampoules
Ingredients
63
Low-risk
51
Fragrance
Fragrance-free
Origin
South Korea

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 14/7
Good for dry skin
Glycereth-26 Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate Camellia Japonica Flower Extract Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil Cetyl Ethylhexanoate Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer Squalane Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Butylene Glycol Glycerin Cholesterol Polyquaternium-51
Caution for dry skin
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside Glycerin Potassium Cetyl Phosphate Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate Hydrogenated Lecithin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 1/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Retinol
Sensitive Skin 8/6
Good for sensitive skin
Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract Asiaticoside Glycerin Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Yeast Beta-Glucan Hydroxyacetophenone Ferulic Acid Allantoin
Caution for sensitive skin
Dipropylene Glycol Asiaticoside Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Butylene Glycol Glycerin Retinol

Ingredients list

63 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (9)
All63 Skin Conditioning59 Viscosity Controlling11 Solvent9 Humectant8 Antioxidant7 Emollient7 Fragrance6 Emulsifying6
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
1
Glycereth-26
(Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Niacinamide
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing)
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
1
A
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
(Emollient, Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
1
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
(Emollient)
1
A
Butylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscositydecreasing Agent, Humectant, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
2
A
Hydrogenated Lecithin
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Suspending Agent Nonsurfactant)
9
A
Retinol
(Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Brassica Campestris Sterols
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
1
A
1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent)
1
A
Cholesterol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
B
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
(Antioxidant)
1
B
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
(Light Stabilizer)
1
A
Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Emulsifying)
ELAEIS GUINEENSIS OIL
(Skin Conditioning Emollient)
1
B
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
(Skin Conditioning, Emollient)
1
Hydroxyacetophenone
(Antioxidant)
1
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
(Viscosity Controlling)
1
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
2
B
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
(Absorbent, Anticaking Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
5
6
Retinal
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Squalane
(Emollient, Hair Conditioning, Refatting, Skin Conditioning)
1
Polyquaternium-51
(Film Forming, Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Panthenol
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
1
A
Allantoin
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing)
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Oily Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
Good for Sensitive Skin
1
Adenosine
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Disodium EDTA
(Chelating Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Bifida Ferment Lysate
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
(Skin Conditioning)
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Dipropylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Masking, Viscosity Controlling)
1
B
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Asiaticoside
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning, Perfuming)
1
Asiatic Acid
(Skin Conditioning, Stabilising)
1
Madecassic Acid
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Beta-Glucan
(Bulking Agent, Skin Conditioning)
1
Ceramide NP
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning)
1
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract
(Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Tonic)
Mentha Viridis Extract
(Fragrance, Oral Care)
1
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Pentylene Glycol
(Skin Conditioning, Solvent)
1
A
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning)
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
(Antioxidant)
Akebia Quinata Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
(Cleansing, Foaming, Surfactant)
1
Camellia Japonica Flower Extract
(Emollient, Skin Conditioning)
1
B
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
(Skin Conditioning, Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning)
1
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
(Humectant)
1
Carnosine
(Skin Conditioning)
1
A
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
(Skin Conditioning)
1
Yeast Beta-Glucan
(Film Forming, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Controlling)
2
Ferulic Acid
(Antioxidant, Preservative, Uv Absorber, Antimicrobial)
3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID
(Skin Conditioning)
ASCORBIC ACID
(Antioxidant, Buffering, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)

My Ingredient Notes

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

Browse similar serums, essence, ampoule
No close formula match yet — browse other products like this

Key ingredients

Glycereth-26
Humectant
Niacinamide
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant, Skin Protecting
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Humectant

Benefits

Good for dry skin
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Good for sensitive skin

Concerns

Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Retinol — higher EWG

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Glycereth-26
Humectant, Viscosity decreasing agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 HumectantViscosity decreasing agentSolventViscosity controlling
Niacinamide
Hair conditioning, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Hair conditioningSkin conditioningSmoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Emollient, Masking
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmollientMaskingPerfumingSkin conditioningSolvent
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Skin conditioning, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Skin conditioningEmulsifyingSurfactantSuspending agent- nonsurfactant
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Skin conditioning, Skin conditioning emollient
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioningSkin conditioning emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Solvent
Cholesterol
Emulsion stabilising, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Emulsion stabilisingSkin conditioningViscosity increasing agentEmollientEmulsifyingStabilisingViscosity controlling
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin conditioning, Emulsifying
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B Skin conditioningEmulsifyingSurfactant
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Skin conditioning
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion stabilising, Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emulsion stabilisingViscosity controlling
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antioxidant
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant
Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol)Citrate
Light stabilizer
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Light stabilizer
+ 42 more — see the full ingredients list above
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
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A FragranceSkin conditioningSolventViscositydecreasing agentHumectantMaskingViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Retinol
Skin conditioning
Potentially a skin irritantRead moreShow less
EWG 9 CIR A Skin conditioning Bad for Sensitive Skin
Retinal
Skin conditioning
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5–6 Skin conditioning
Panthenol
Antistatic agent, Hair conditioning
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Antistatic agentHair conditioningSkin conditioning Good for Dry Skin
Allantoin
Skin conditioning, Skin protecting
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A Skin conditioningSkin protectingSoothing Good for Oily SkinGood for Sensitive Skin

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.
  • 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) (Retinol, 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.

Retinol, Retinal

Vitamin C (ascorbic) 5–20%

L-ascorbic acid is usually used at 5–20% (around 10–15% is common). Above ~20% adds little and tends to irritate more; it also needs a low pH to work.

3-O-ETHYL ASCORBIC ACID, ASCORBIC ACID

Niacinamide 2–5% (up to 10%)

Most research uses 2–5%; some formulas go to 10%. Very high levels can cause flushing in sensitive skin.

Niacinamide, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide

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.

From the community

0
Reviews
0
Saved by users
0
In collections

Ratings & reviews

Write a Review
0.0
from 0 ratings

Used this product? Rate it in 10 seconds

Alternatives