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
Vichy
LIFTACTIV RETINOL SPECIALIST SERUM
face serum
Vichy
face serum
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testOur new night RETINOL SPECIALIST SERUM is powered by superior anti-ageing complex to target all types of wrinkles, even the deepest ones: This serum increases cellular renewal, restores skin density and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Skin is more even, radiant and resurfaced. Our Retinol Guard technology ensures the strongest form of pure retinol to be delivered safely and deeply in the skin.
LIFTACTIV RETINOL SPECIALIST SERUM is a lightweight serum from Vichy, a brand based in France. 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, Sodium Hyaluronate and Peg-9 Butylene Glycol Laurate, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Peg-9 Butylene Glycol Laurate and Water.
Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Tridecyl Isononanoate, Sodium Hyaluronate and Tocopherol.
On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. A few ingredients carry irritation flags, so reactive skin should patch test before using it on the whole face.
The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, oil control and brightening and tone. 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. One ingredient on the label has not been matched to our database yet, so the analysis above reads a slightly incomplete list.
It does contain drying alcohol, worth knowing if your skin reacts to any of them.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after toner, before moisturiser. Apply to clean, dry skin and give it a minute to absorb before the next layer. Introduce one new treatment at a time so you can identify what is working.
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.
A few ingredients here carry irritation flags. Reactive skin should patch test on the jawline for a few days before using it on the whole face.
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
2nd 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
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Dioctyl ether
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Glycine Soja Oil is the oil obtained from the soybean, Glycine soja, Leguminosae, by extraction or expression. It consists esentially of triglycerides of oleic, linoleic and saturated acids
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Propane-1,2-diol
15th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ethanone, 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-,p-Hydroxyacetophenone
16th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is the reaction product of palmitic acid and Tetrapeptide-7
18th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Tripeptide-1 is a synthetic peptide containing glycine, histidine, and lysine
21st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Retinol; vitamin A
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Carbonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Ester
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.
Part of this label has not been matched to our ingredient database, so only what is present is listed — no absence is claimed.
Alcohol Denat.
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 "Treat" 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.
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Dissolves and carries everything else
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Amino-acid chains that signal for repair or firmness
Forms a film that slows water loss
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
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.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Isononyl propionate; 7-Methyloctyl propanoate
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hexanoic acid, 3,5,5-trimethyl-, tridecyl ester
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Alcohol Denat. is ethyl alcohol that is denatured with one or more denaturing agents in accordance with the national legislation of each European Community (EU) country.
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Dioctyl ether
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Glycine Soja Oil is the oil obtained from the soybean, Glycine soja, Leguminosae, by extraction or expression. It consists esentially of triglycerides of oleic, linoleic and saturated acids
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Soybean Oil Propylene Glycol Esters is the product obtained by the transesterification of Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil with propylene glycol
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Propane-1,2-diol
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
.Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, (6 mol EO average molar ratio)
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Protein hydrolysates, wheat, reaction product with undecylenic acid, zinc salt
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Protein hydrolyzates, rice, 2-hydroxy-3-(octadecyldimethylammonio)propyl derivatives, chlorides
15th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ethanone, 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-,p-Hydroxyacetophenone
16th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is the reaction product of palmitic acid and Tetrapeptide-7
17th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Zinc Palmitoyl Nonapeptide-14 is the zinc salt of the palmitic acid ester of Nonapeptide-14
18th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Tripeptide-1 is a synthetic peptide containing glycine, histidine, and lysine
19th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Sodium Pentaerythrityl Hydroxypropyl Iminodiacetate Dendrimer is the sodium salt of a multibranched polymer formed by the sequential reaction Pentaerythritol with hydroxypropyl iminodiacetic acid
20th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
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
21st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium hydroxide
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Vitreoscilla Ferment is product obtained by the fermentation of Vitreoscilla
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Retinol; vitamin A
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Carbonic Acid, Dicaprylyl Ester
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Tetrabutylammonium bromide
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2,2-Dimethyl-2-(2'-propenamido)ethanesulfonic acid, sodium salt, homopolymer
28th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-3-hydroxybutyl-.omega.-1-oxododecyloxy- (9 mol EO average molar ratio)
29th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ethane-1,2-diol, Ethylene glycol
30th 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
31st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
32nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Isooctadecanoic acid, monoester with glycerol
33rd 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.
34th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Tetradecanol, 2-decyl-, ethoxylated, propoxylated (30 mol EO, 6 mol PO average molar ratio)
35th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sulfated Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate is the product of the sulfation of Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate.
36th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Zinc dilactate
37th 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
38th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
These are printed on the label but have not been linked to an ingredient record yet, so they are excluded from the analysis above.
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Bioderma
Shares 7 key ingredients with LIFTACTIV RETINOL SPECIALIST SERUM: Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Anua
Shares 7 key ingredients with LIFTACTIV RETINOL SPECIALIST SERUM: Water, Glycerin, Retinol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate
FRANKLY
Shares 6 key ingredients with LIFTACTIV RETINOL SPECIALIST SERUM: Water, Glycerin, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hyaluronate
Arencia
Shares 6 key ingredients with LIFTACTIV RETINOL SPECIALIST SERUM: Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Tripeptide-1
Arencia
Shares 6 key ingredients with LIFTACTIV RETINOL SPECIALIST SERUM: Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Tripeptide-1
SKIN1004
Shares 6 key ingredients with LIFTACTIV RETINOL SPECIALIST SERUM: Water, Hydroxyacetophenone, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
WATER, GLYCERIN, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, ISONONYL PROPIONATE, TRIDECYL ISONONANOATE, ALCOHOL DENAT., DICAPRYLYL ETHER, GLYCINE SOJA OIL, SOYBEAN OIL PROPYLENE GLYCOL ESTERS, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-6, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES, ZINC UNDECYLENOYL HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, STEARDIMONIUM HYDROXYPROPYL HYDROLYZED RICE PROTEIN, HYDROXYACETOPHENONE, PALMITOYL TETRAPEPTIDE-7, ZINC PALMITOYL NONAPEPTIDE-14, TRIPEPTIDE-1, SODIUM PENTAERYTHRITYL HYDROXYPROPYL IMINODIACETATE DENDRIMER, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, VITREOSCILLA FERMENT, RETINOL, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, TETRABUTYL AMMONIUM BROMIDE, SODIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE, PEG-9 BUTYLENE GLYCOL LAURATE, GLYCOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CARBOMER, GLYCERYL ISOSTEARATE, POLYSORBATE 20, PPG-6-DECYLTETRADECETH-30, SULFATED SODIUM CHONDROITIN SULFATE, ZINC LACTATE, TOCOPHEROL, XANTHAN GUM.
PALMITOYL TETRAPEPTIDE-7, TRIPEPTIDE-1, SODIUM HYALURONATE, RETINOL.
Apply once time per day in the evening on freshly cleansed and dry skin. Avoid the eye and lip area. Always make sure to provide good moisturization to your skin. Avoid direct contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. Do not use in conjunction with other retinol products. Step 1: Gently press the middle of the applicator to deliver 3-4 drops of the serum into the palm of your hand; Step 2: Using clean hands, massage evenly into the skin on your face and neck; Step 3: Week by week, you can increase the usage of the serum. Week 1: Apply 2 nights a week; Week 2: Use every other night; Week 3: Use nightly as tolerated. In case of persisting discomfort space out applications, and/or reduce the quantity.
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.
Some ingredients here carry irritation flags, so sensitive skin should patch test on the jawline for a few days before applying it to the whole face.
3 ingredients could feed malassezia: Peg-9 Butylene Glycol Laurate, Glyceryl Isostearate, 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 — it contains Alcohol Denat..
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 toner, before moisturiser.
It lists 38 ingredients, of which 4 are recorded as actives.
Vichy, a brand based in France.
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