Ph.Doctor RetinALL in One 0,1% is as close to a perfect retinal product as it gets.
Actives:
- 0,1% cyclodextrin-encapsulated retinal
- 2% niacinamide
- encapsulated tranexamic acid (tone evening)
- diglucosyl gallic acid (tone evening)
- soothing bioferments
- TECA – isolated centella actives (reduction of PIE, soothing, barrier support)
Application:
The cream spreads out great, I don’t have any problems with applying the suggested amount – half a pump/pea size – the slip is just right. There’s no fragrance. My dry skin requires me to follow it with a moisturizer, but oilier skin types that aren’t retinal newbies can get away with using it as a standalone moisturizer. The packaging is pretty basic, but it drives the price down, and the price is really low for such a product – see below. It serves its purpose, and that’s enough.
My thoughts:
For the price (when I’m writing this review it’s around €40 for 30 ml) you won’t get a better retinal. It’s fully commendable that such a well-rounded, multitasking formula costs so little compared to similar products. It’s a real multitasker – outside of the usual retinal effects (well-aging, antibacterial effect and so on) it’s an antioxidant product, offers barrier suport, soothing, tone evening (especially that, both PIE & PIH) and hydration! The ingredients are chosen to be as synergic as they can be, and it shows on the skin. I love using this product. Its retinal is stabilised in cyclodextrin – my fave method of retinal encapsulation that always is a massive plus in my book.
Let’s talk about the concentration: my tolerance for retinal is high, I’ve been using cyclodextrin-encapsulated retinal for 2 years with no breaks, and I could use the 0,1% version quite frequently (there has been a week during which I’ve used it every day with no irritation). Not everybody needs such a concentration, and even more so when a product is formulated with absorption in mind like this one – most people will see good results with the 0,05% Face & Body version that costs €60 for 100 ml. It’s multitasking as well, focusing on soothing & barrier function. Especially worth considering if you and your partner are both using retinal – the size makes using it as a couples’ product fun!
I’ve repurchased a second one – Ph.Doctor again and again prove that they can do actives on the highest level, and working with Inti Skin – a skincare obsessed biotechnologist – was the secret sauce. The retinal database on their website (in English!) is a consumer-friendly cherry on top!
I have to say a few words of comparison with my favourite retinal to date, the Sachi Overnight Reform (0,05% retinal in cyclodextrin). The products are pretty similar when it comes to their premises – no compromising. A whole lot of supplementary actives that do similar things, stability, textural elegance. Sachi works more gently than RetinALL, it’s less focused on correcting pigmentation and more on antioxidant protection and barrier support (but they both tackle these concerns). It’s more nourishing (I can use the Sachi as the only step in the evening with no dryness in the morning), but similarly lightweight. It’s also twice as expensive, which might be a dealbreaker for a lot of people. Question if you want to deal with that, especially when you live outside of the UK. I can’t pick a sure favourite, both are amazing, finished products that have been great to my skin. I have a feeling Ph.Doctor might just edge out with its cost effectiveness, that’s quite frankly unheard of. Both products show great passion, knowledge and consumer respect of the people behind them.
For you if: you are in the market for an effective, potent, multitasking and stable retinal.
Not for you if: you’re a retinal newbie (go for their 0,05% version if you’d like to explore the brand) or you don’t need a retinal product at all.
You can purchase it here (EU shipping): https://phdoctorlab.pl/en/products/krem-do-twarzy-ze-stabilna-forma-retinalu-0-1-30ml
Product sent in a PR package with no posting requirements.
