Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Perfectly Dosed Retinol Extra Strength 0.5% 8 Treatments / Pack
by Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare · skin_care
Editor's Take
Clinical-grade retinol paired with Bakuchiol and a biomimetic lipid system; this is high-dose Vitamin A engineered for delivery, not just dumped into a jar.
Four-pillar formula scores
- Efficacy: 8.8 / 10
- Modern Tech: 8.5 / 10
- Clean Beauty: 8.0 / 10
- Sustainability: 9.1 / 10
The Verdict
This is a properly architected retinol treatment that earns its extra-strength label. The 0.5% Retinol sits inside a delivery base built from Ethoxydiglycol, Phospholipids, and Sphingolipids; molecules chosen to push actives into the skin and rebuild the barrier simultaneously. Bakuchiol and Rambutan leaf extract aren't filler botanicals; they're retinoid synergists that stabilize Vitamin A and reduce irritation risk. The formula sacrifices some clean alignment to prioritize penetration (Alcohol Denat. and Ethoxydiglycol are conventional solvents), but the trade-off is intentional: this serum is designed to work at clinical intensity, not to pass a certification audit. Worth it if you want real retinol results and can tolerate the solvent base.
Full INCI list
Water/Aqua/Eau, Pentylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Ethoxydiglycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Alcohol Denat. (SD Alcohol 40-B), Retinol (0.5%), Bakuchiol, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Bisabolol, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Soy Isoflavones, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Lactic Acid, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Farnesol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Sodium Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate