First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25%.

Retinoids

About this product

A retinol serum at a 0.25% strength, designed as an entry-level option for people new to retinoids.

Full ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, Polysorbate 80, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Retinol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide Np, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Linoleic Acid, Allantoin, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Triolein, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Stearic Acid, Maltodextrin, Bht, Bha, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate

Guru Score

81%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What they liked

Non-irritating formula
Beginner-friendly strength

What they flagged

Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

What the gurus are saying

A 0.25% strength is the detail that stands out, and it is aimed squarely at people just dipping their toes into retinol. Experts say its encapsulated, nonirritating formula makes it a comfortable place to start, and those who weighed in are fond of it. The one thing to keep in mind is that it is pitched at beginners, so it is best read as a first step.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take November 2024

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Vitamin C Retinoid Hyaluronic acidVitamin ECeramidesPeptides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Ulta → Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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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 Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

✓Yay

"It's fragrance-free, and it's a beautiful formula with glycerin, ceramides, oats, and peptides. It does also contain soybean, which is 3.35 on the comedogenic scale. It's a product I love, and if you want help with fine lines and generally brightening the skin, it's one to use. It's not really being used in combination with any other tyrosinase inhibitors, but retinol itself at this percentage is effective, so I do like it. It's also at a decent price point."

All 2 takes from Dr. Vanita Rattan

$3000 Luxury Skincare Vs Dupe that Works BETTER

"For beginners, the better option for you is the First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25%. It's encapsulated, and it's in a formula that's nonirritating. I'm happy for you to start at that level."

Best and Worst Dark Mark Serums for Skin of colour 2024

Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.73M subs

✓Yay

"First Aid Beauty also has their Fab Skin Retinol Serum at 0.25 percent. It is a beginner's one, so if you're somebody who wants to dip their toes into the retinol game, First Aid Beauty is one that I would say is worth looking into."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant with reasonable evidence for dullness and uneven tone. It breaks down in light and air, so how a product is formulated and packaged matters as much as the percentage on the front.

Source: DermNet

Ceramides

Ceramides are part of the skin's own barrier, and moisturisers built around them have evidence for holding water in and settling the tightness and flaking that come with a damaged barrier.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25%?

A retinol serum at a 0.25% strength, designed as an entry-level option for people new to retinoids.

Is First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% worth it?

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

What is First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25%'s Guru Score?

First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% holds a Guru Score of 81%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.