1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Dr.Althea
Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream
face cream
Dr.Althea
face cream
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
See how this fits your skin
Take the skin test and I'll show you how suitable this product is for you.
Take the skin testDiscover Dr.Althea Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream, a retinol face cream that helps smooth uneven texture and improve the look of firmness. With 0.15% retinol plus panthenol, tocopherol, and allantoin, this creamy formula pairs its smoothing care with plenty of comfort.
Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream is a lightweight cream from Dr.Althea. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 38 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Butylene Glycol and Panthenol, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: Very high. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol and Betaine.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Panthenol, Allantoin and Tocopheryl Acetate.
On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, oil control, brightening and tone and cell renewal. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after serums. Seal in your serums with it; in the morning, sunscreen still goes on top.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hexadecyl 2-ethylhexanoate
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
1-Decene, homopolymer, hydrogenated
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer is a copolymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate and vinylpyrrolidone monomers
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Lecithins, hydrogenated
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Retinol; vitamin A
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
This product is the "Moisturise" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 38 ingredients on the label.
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Dissolves and carries everything else
Forms a film that slows water loss
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Calms visible redness and irritation
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Amino-acid chains that signal for repair or firmness
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
1,1'-Oxydipropan-2-ol; Oxydipropan-2-ol; Hydroxypropyloxypropanol
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hexadecyl 2-ethylhexanoate
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
1-Decene, homopolymer, hydrogenated
8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Methanaminium, 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt
11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer is a copolymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate and vinylpyrrolidone monomers
12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Propenamide, homopolymer
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Lecithins, hydrogenated
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alkanes, C13-14-iso
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Coptis Japonica Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Coptis japonica, Ranunculaceae
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
C10-30 alkyl propenoate, polymer with propenoic acid, butenoic acidand/or alkyl propenoates, product with propenyl sucrose ether or propenyl 2,2-dihydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Benzenepropanoic acid, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy-, 2,2-bis[[3-[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-1-oxopropoxy] methyl]-1,3-propanediyl ester
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Retinol; vitamin A
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-cresol
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2,3-Propanetriol, homopolymer, dodecanoates (1:1) (10 mol glycerol average molar ratio)
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-yl acetate
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,6,9,12,15,18,21-Heptaoxatritriacontanol
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
28th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Cholest-5-en-3-ol (beta)-
29th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ethenol, homopolymer
30th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Myo-Inositol, hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate), sodium salt
31st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol
32nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol; .alpha.-tocopherol; Vitamin E
33rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-
34th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Octane-1,2-diol
35th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Glycosaminoglycans, hydrolyzed
36th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Folic acid
37th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 is the synthetic peptide consisting of arginine, methionine, and acetylated glutamic acid residues
38th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, sodium salts
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Dr. Ceuracle
Shares 10 key ingredients with Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream: Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Betaine
Isntree
Shares 10 key ingredients with Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream: Water, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Betaine
Mary&May
Shares 10 key ingredients with Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream: Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Water, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Numbuzin
Shares 10 key ingredients with Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Lecithin
Medicube
Shares 10 key ingredients with Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream: Water, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glycerin
IUNIK
Shares 10 key ingredients with Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
WATER, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, HYDROGENATED POLYDECENE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, PANTHENOL, BETAINE, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, POLYACRYLAMIDE, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN, COPTIS JAPONICA ROOT EXTRACT, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, RETINOL, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, TROMETHAMINE, BHT, POLYGLYCERYL-10 LAURATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, POLYSORBATE 20, LAURETH-7, XANTHAN GUM, CHOLESTEROL, POLYVINYL ALCOHOL, SODIUM PHYTATE, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, TOCOPHEROL, ALLANTOIN, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, HYDROLYZED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS, FOLIC ACID, ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-8, SODIUM DNA.
PANTHENOL, RETINOL, ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-8.
After applying serum, smooth an appropriate amount of cream over the skin. Follow with moisturizer if additional hydration is needed. Use sunscreen during the day while using this product. Tip : Start by applying every 2–3 days, then gradually increase how often you use it as your skin adjusts.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced, Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
2 ingredients could feed malassezia: Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polysorbate 20. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that they will cause a breakout.
It contains Retinol, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Retinoids (retinol, retinal), Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Take more care combining it with AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide, Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Azelaic acid — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.
Use it morning and evening, after serums.
It lists 38 ingredients, of which 3 are recorded as actives.
Dr.Althea.
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