avene RetrinAL Day Cream

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Avène Thermal Spring Water
2. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
3. Dimethicone
4. Butylene Glycol
5. Glycerin
6. Cetearyl Alcohol
7. Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
8. Glyceryl Stearate
9. PEG-100 Stearate
10. Behenyl Alcohol
11. Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone Beeswax
12. 1,2-Hexanediol
13. Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
14. Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract
15. Caprylyl Glycol
16. Cetearyl Glucoside
17. Dimethicone Crosspolymer
18. Disodium EDTA
19. Fragrance
20. Mica
21. PVP
22. Silica
23. Sodium Hyaluronate
24. Sodium Hydroxide
25. Titanium Dioxide
26. Tocopheryl Acetate
27. Tocopheryl Glucoside
28. Xanthan Gum

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains siliconesContains PEGContains animal-derivedContains EU-26 allergensContains fragrance

Key ingredients

FRAGRANCE

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

ANTIFOAMING

Dimethicone

HUMECTANT

Butylene Glycol

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Cetearyl AlcoholGlyceryl Stearate

SKIN CONDITIONING

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

SURFACTANT - CLEANSING

PEG-100 Stearate

Other ingredients

Avène Thermal Spring WaterBehenyl AlcoholBis-PEG-12 Dimethicone Beeswax1,2-HexanediolAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerAscophyllum Nodosum ExtractCaprylyl GlycolCetearyl GlucosideDimethicone CrosspolymerDisodium EDTAFragranceMicaPVPSilicaSodium HyaluronateSodium HydroxideTitanium DioxideTocopheryl AcetateTocopheryl GlucosideXanthan Gum

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Avène Thermal Spring Water

Not decoded yet

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Light occlusive and solvent at 1–10%; non-greasy feel, suitable for oily and combination skin

Dimethicone

Silicone occlusive at 1–5%; provides smooth feel, non-penetrating, suitable for sensitive skin

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

Cetearyl Alcohol

Fatty alcohol emulsifier at 1-5%; non-ionic surfactant

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Shea butter for occlusive moisturizing; high melt point, rich texture, caution for oily skin.

Glyceryl Stearate

Emulsifier at 1-3%; may require acid to prevent saponification

PEG-100 Stearate

Non-ionic emulsifier, requires ionics for stability; check PEG for formaldehyde.

Behenyl Alcohol

Fat alcohol emulsifier/thickener at 1-3%; low comedogenic risk, check solubility in strong acid/base systems, add antioxidants.

Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone Beeswax

PEG-modified silicone/beeswax ester for conditioning; contains PEG and animal-derived wax.

1,2-Hexanediol

Polyol solvent and preservative booster at 1–5%; light feel, can replace some traditional preservatives

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer

Cationic polymer providing suspension, thickening, and conditioning; often paired with anionic thickening systems, low usage, imparts slip.

Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract

Ascophyllum nodosum extract, provides hydration and antioxidant protection; usually low concentration as natural functional additive.

Caprylyl Glycol

Polyol conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–3%; emollient feel, often paired with 1,2-hexanediol

Cetearyl Glucoside

Gentle non-ionic sugar-based emulsifier for low-irritation formulas; often co-blended

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Crosslinked silicone polymer providing silkiness and viscosity control; for hair and skin; inert but hard to biodegrade.

Disodium EDTA

Chelating agent at 0.05–0.5%; sequesters metal ions for stability, boosts preservative efficacy

Fragrance

Fragrance; concentration must control allergen risk, label specific components

Mica

Mineral colorant for pearlescence; heavy metal screening required

PVP

Polyvinylpyrrolidone for film forming and thickening; used in styling and adhesion, occasional eye irritation reported.

Silica

Silica powder at 1–10%; absorbs oil, thickens, provides matte finish, for oil-control products

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Sodium Hydroxide

Strong base neutralizer for pH adjustment; handle with extreme care

Titanium Dioxide

Physical UV filter and colorant up to 25%; nano form requires attention

Tocopheryl Acetate

Vitamin E derivative antioxidant at 0.1–1%; more stable than tocopherol, store protected from light

Tocopheryl Glucoside

Water-soluble tocopherol glycoside; antioxidant and skin conditioner. Reduces lipid oxidation, low irritation.

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration

Related products in this category

• origins Origins Precipitation Extra Moisturizing Cream
• conscious-chemist Conscious Chemist Indulge Facial Cream
• esfolio Esfolio Coconut Water Cream
• apivita Apivita Tonic Mountain Tea Moisturizing Body Milk
• apivita Apivita After Sun Cool & Sooth Face & Body Gel-Cream
• moogoo MooGoo Spf 40 Tinted Face Cream (Discontinued)