Black Rice Night Retinol Serum.

Retinoids

About this product

A lightweight night serum formulated with encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, black rice ferment, ceramides, and sunflower seed oil, designed to introduce retinol to beginners and those with sensitive or reactive skin.

Full ingredients

Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, 1,2- Hexanediol, Bakuchiol, C14-22 Alcohols, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract(2,000Ppm), Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phyllostachys Pubescens Shoot Bark Extract(1,000Ppm), Disodium EDTA, Retinol (0.08%), Aspergillus Ferment, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Ceramide NP, Dipropylene Glycol, Stearyl Alcohol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glucose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Cyclodextrin

Guru Score

78%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

2Yay

0Mixed

0Nay

What they liked

Hydrating, milky texture that blends smoothly
Gentle starter retinol for sensitive skin
Encapsulated retinol reduces irritation risk

What they flagged

May not warrant repurchase long-term

What the gurus are saying

The encapsulated retinol releases slowly and evenly into skin, which cuts down irritation while still delivering retinol's anti-aging work, making this a standout choice for anyone new to retinoids or managing rosacea and reactive skin. The texture is a silky, milky serum that layers smoothly, and the formula packs in ceramides, bakuchiol, and black rice ferment to keep skin hydrated and calm while you build up tolerance. One reviewer found it genuinely lovely but scored it an eight and wouldn't repurchase, though the low price point and vegan formulation are real draws.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take February 2026

Best for

Sensitive skinYounger skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

RetinoidCeramides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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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

No BS Beauty

89k subs

✓Yay

"This one feels really nice and very hydrating. If you're new to retinol, this one might be a nice way to get started. I've really been loving using it at night, and out of all the new goodies, I think this one's my favorite so far."

All 2 takes from No BS Beauty

New Skincare From Mizon, I'm From, Klairs, and Haruharu First Impressions Review

haruharu wonder Black Rice Night Knight Retinol Serum Review, How to Use, Dupes & Alternatives

"Overall with a 10 being a perfect score, I gave this one an eight. It's definitely finish it. Probably wouldn't repurchase it. [...] It is still pretty travel friendly and pretty affordable. And the nice thing is it's actually vegan and cruelty-free. So, that gives it a little bit of an advantage compared to some of the other products. But overall, pretty nice."

Dr. Sam Ellis

882k subs

✓Yay

"The Haruharu Wonder Night Retinol Serum is a beautiful beginner retinol serum that is incredibly affordable."

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All 3 takes from Dr. Sam Ellis

I’m Changing How My Patients Do Anti-Aging Skincare (5 Key Upgrades) | Dr. Sam Ellis

"The Haruharu Wonder Night Retinol Serum is a beautiful beginner retinol serum that is incredibly affordable."

HANDS DOWN! Best Korean Beauty Products of the Year: 2025 | Dr. Sam Ellis

"Black Rice Night Retinol Serum for Beginners is so good. [...] It is an exceptional retinol if you have sensitive skin or you are new to retinol in general. The serum one is texturally beautiful. It also contains encapsulated retinol which means that the way the retinol is released into the skin is more slow and controlled. So that really one helps with penetration but also reduces the irritation potential of a product like this. If I have a patient who is new to retinoids and they're like where do I start? I recommend this one all the time. Also for my patients who have rosacea, they're prone to peroral dermatitis, they have seborrheic dermatitis, so like dandruff of the face, and they just find that their skin is really reactive and doesn't tend to do well with active ingredients that are promoting skin cell turnover, which is something that retinol does. I will have them start with this."

Make Your Retinoids Work BETTER | Easy Retinol Hacks | Dr. Sam Ellis

"This is the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Night Retinol Serum and it's so good. They even put it directly on their packaging for beginners, and I love that they're owning that this is truly a formula designed with sensitive skin and newbie to retinol skin in mind. Not only does it have that 0.8% microencapsulated retinol, and that microencapsulation is really great because it helps keep the retinol stable and penetrating the skin really evenly, but this formula has so many other skin supporting goodies in there. It's got 1% bakuchiol, which is another really nice anti-aging skincare ingredient that's sort of going to piggyback off of and enhance the benefits that you're already getting from your retinol. This formula also has ceramides and sunflower seed oil and that black rice ferment that Haruharu Wonder products are so well known for, and those are going to work together to keep your skin soft and smooth and protected and hydrated while you're building up that retinol use. The texture of this is also gorgeous. It is like a true milky serum, it just blends so perfectly on the skin, it layers well with other skincare products. Plus this product is affordable. I'm a huge fan, and I have no doubts that if you try this you will not be disappointed."

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

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 Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Night Retinol Serum?

Is Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Night Retinol Serum worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 78%.

What is Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Night Retinol Serum's Guru Score?

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Night Retinol Serum holds a Guru Score of 78%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.