e.l.f.

Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum.

Retinoids

About this product

A lightweight night serum combining retinaldehyde, Granactive Retinoid, antioxidants, and peptides, designed as a gentler introduction to retinoid skincare.

Best for

Sensitive skin Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Retinoid Hyaluronic acidVitamin EPeptides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Full ingredients

Water (Aqua), Propanediol, PEG-8, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Tromethamine, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Retinal, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract, Sea Water, Maltodextrin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sucrose, Carbomer, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Guru Score

81%

Approved

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

2Approved

0Mixed

0Skip

What the gurus are saying

This serum's blend of multiple retinoid types makes it a solid entry point for people new to retinoids or those with sensitive skin who find stronger forms hard to tolerate. The Granactive Retinoid (hydroxypinacolone retinoate) is gentler than prescription-strength actives while still delivering meaningful results, and at its price point it is worth a test patch if you are building tolerance. Start it two or three times a week on your neck and chest first, then work up as your skin adapts.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take December 2023

Where to buy

Find it at Amazon → Compare prices on Google Shopping →

How it works Independent by design. Every take comes from a creator we have no relationship with. We do not ask anyone to review, and affiliate links never move a score.

Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved takes Critical takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr Alexis Stephens

580k subs

✓Approved

"The e.l.f. Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum is easily one of the most affordable, high-quality product launches of the year. It's formulated with 0.0% retinal, which is retinaldehyde, plus 1% Granactive Retinoid, antioxidants, and peptides."

Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.71M subs

✓Approved

"e.l.f. has their Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum which is a mix of Granactive Retinoid, also known as hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which is what you find in Caroline Hirons' retinoid as well as 0.06% retinal and other antioxidants. It's a mix of various different types of retinols on the market. It has a very very light scent to it but nothing crazy or repulsive. It is great for people who are beginners who want to actually grow beyond peptides into the retinol world but cannot fully tolerate stronger retinol or even a prescription active retinoid. Hydroxypinacolone retinoate tends to be gentler on the skin while supposedly delivering as effective results or close to effective results as an active form, which is the prescription. I'd put it on your neck and chest first and start low and go slow, maybe two or three times a week at most, and work your way up from there."

All 2 takes from Dr. Shereene Idriss

Budget-Friendly Drugstore Skincare Favorites from a Dermatologist! | Dr. Shereene Idriss

Best Drugstore Anti-Aging Budget Friendly Skincare Under $35! | Dr. Shereene Idriss

"I really do like their Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum. There is some misleading marketing actually. They say one percent Gran active retinoid but one percent active retinoid is like point one percent hydroxypinacolone retinoate. Hydroxypinacolone retinoate is the cousin of tretinoin, the active form of retinol, so it's not exactly one percent, it is 0.1 percent. It's a great beginner's retinol, there's nothing wrong with it. It comes in a pump, it has a very bright orange color to it, that's all you really need for your whole face, and at 22 bucks you might as well give it a try and see if you can tolerate it, especially if you're very sensitive. It's a good one to start with."

Common questions

Frequently asked.

What is e.l.f. Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum?

A lightweight night serum combining retinaldehyde, Granactive Retinoid, antioxidants, and peptides, designed as a gentler introduction to retinoid skincare.

Is e.l.f. Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 81%.

What is e.l.f. Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum's Guru Score?

e.l.f. Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum holds a Guru Score of 81%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 independent expert reviewers we have collected.