dr-sensitive Dr. Sensitive Retinol + Ceramide Serum

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. Aqua
2. Propylene Glycol
3. Ceramide NP
4. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
5. Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
6. Isohexadecane
7. Polysorbate 80
8. Sorbitan Oleate
9. Dimethicone
10. Propylene Glycol
11. Phenoxyethanol
12. Ethylhexylglycerin
13. Caprylhydroxamic Acid
14. Xanthan Gum
15. Butylene Glycol
16. Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
17. 1,2-Hexanediol
18. Methylparaben
19. Panthenol
20. Carbomer
21. Allantoin
22. Retinol
23. Polysorbate 20
24. BHA
25. BHT
26. Hydrolyzed Collagen
27. Triethanolamine
28. Disodium EDTA
29. Propylparaben

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of sulfatesFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains mineral oilContains parabensContains PEGContains siliconesContains fragranceContains EU-26 allergensContains animal-derived

Formulation view Water-based formula with silicones and acrylate copolymers, combined with ceramides, peptides, and low-concentration retinol for anti-aging and hydration. Suitable for mature or mixed skin types for night use. Includes chelators to stabilize metal ions and enhance actives. Multiple preservatives ensure safety in this high-water content system.

Key ingredients

SOLVENT

Aqua

HUMECTANT

Propylene GlycolAcetyl Hexapeptide-8

HAIR CONDITIONING

Ceramide NP

ANTICAKING

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Isohexadecane

DENATURANT

Polysorbate 80

SURFACTANT - EMULSIFYING

Sorbitan Oleate

Other ingredients

DimethiconePropylene GlycolPhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerinCaprylhydroxamic AcidXanthan GumButylene GlycolPaeonia Albiflora Root Extract1,2-HexanediolMethylparabenPanthenolCarbomerAllantoinRetinolPolysorbate 20BHABHTHydrolyzed CollagenTriethanolamineDisodium EDTAPropylparaben

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Aqua

Solvent, main base; microbial control is critical

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

Ceramide NP

Ceramide N3 for barrier repair; lipophilic, needs oil phase or emulsion, avoid high standalone use.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Acetyl hexapeptide-8; signal peptide, low concentration, used for firming and hydration, low irritancy.

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Acrylate copolymer for film/thickening; water-soluble, compatible, monitor residual monomers.

Isohexadecane

Lightweight mineral-oil-derived emollient and solvent; low viscosity, non-comedogenic, improves texture

Polysorbate 80

Non-ionic emulsifier and solubilizer; watch for interaction with parabens

Sorbitan Oleate

Non-ionic emulsifier for oil-in-water systems; plant-derived, check oxidative stability

Dimethicone

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

Propylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 3-10%; hygroscopic, slight tackiness, mild irritation at high conc., verify preservative efficacy, no allergen.

Phenoxyethanol

Broad-spectrum preservative at ≤1%; may irritate sensitive eye areas, often paired with ethylhexylglycerin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Chelating agent to stabilize metal ions; often paired with antioxidants for system stability, used at low levels

Xanthan Gum

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

Butylene Glycol

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

Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract

Peony root extract for moisture and conditioning; plant-derived, low allergenicity

1,2-Hexanediol

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

Methylparaben

Preservative, narrow spectrum; often combined, check allergen risk and regulatory limits.

Panthenol

Panthenol (vitamin B5) at 1–5%; moisturizing and reparative, supports barrier recovery

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Allantoin

Skin soother at 0.5-2%; promotes cell regeneration

Retinol

Highly active and unstable, needs robust antioxidant encapsulation; 0.1-1.0%, pregnancy contraindicated

Polysorbate 20

Non-ionic emulsifier and cleansing surfactant; contains PEG, control microbial load.

BHA

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); oil-phase antioxidant. Use <0.05%. Controversial at high levels.

BHT

Lipophilic antioxidant at 0.01-0.05%; ineffective with acidic systems, label-sensitive, check regulatory limits as preservative alternative.

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Hydrolyzed protein for film-forming and moisture; molecular weight limits penetration, check source for shellfish allergies

Triethanolamine

Triethanolamine for buffering; restricted, limit concentration to avoid high pH and irritation

Disodium EDTA

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

Propylparaben

Medium-chain preservative; restricted use, pH-sensitive efficacy.

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