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The Inkey List
Starter Retinol Serum
A serum built around Retinoid, for barrier repair and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 15.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Normal skin
- Sensitive skin
- Redness & rosacea
- Dark spots & pigmentation
- Fine lines & wrinkles
- Uneven texture
How to use
Use PM only, 2-3 nights a week to start. Increase frequency as your skin builds tolerance. After cleansing and applying your hydrator, smooth a pea-sized amount into face and neck. Follow with your moisturiser of choice. Always use SPF in your AM routine.
Caution
Retinoids can leave skin sensitive to the sun, so they should not be used in the AM. Always use SPF in your AM routine. When adding new products to your skincare routine, we always recommend patch testing. Store in a cool, dry place (15–25°C). Keep out of direct sunlight. Avoid eyes. For external use only. Keep out of reach of children.
What's inside
Ingredients List
15 trigger at least one check · 21 trigger none
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Possibly animal-derived
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Key Ingredients
Fatty alcohol2
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Benefits
Hydrating5
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Propanediol, Squalane, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Squalane, Sucrose Laurate, Tocopherol
Smoothing12
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycine Soja Sterols, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinal, Squalane, Sucrose Laurate
Anti-Pollution4
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Concerns
May Trigger Acne5
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis14
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Behenate, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycolipids, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Phospholipids, Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sucrose Laurate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris5
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Carbonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Ester
Learn more about Dicaprylyl Carbonate →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters
Emulsion Stabilising, Cleansing, Emulsifying
Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters →Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate →Cetyl Alcohol
Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Opacifying, Emollient, Cleansing, Emulsifying, Foam Boosting, Viscosity Controlling
Cetyl Alcohol isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetyl Alcohol →Cyclodextrin
Absorbent, Chelating
Cycloheptapentylose
Learn more about Cyclodextrin →Glyceryl Behenate
Emollient, Emulsifying
Glyceryl Behenate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Glyceryl Behenate →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →
Dupes
- The Inkey List 10% Niacinamide Serum68% match
- Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment65% match
- Paula's Choice Discoloration Repair Serum62% match