Index / Shani Darden / Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol
Shani Darden

Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol.

Shani Darden Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol
Retinoids

About this product

A retinol serum by esthetician Shani Darden, formulated with retinol alongside hydrating botanicals and antioxidant ingredients to address signs of aging.

Full ingredients

Guru Score

86%

Yay

8 experts · Strong agreement
Guru Certified
Broad expert consensus
8Gurus
8Yay
0Mixed
0Nay
#4 in RetinoidsSee the ranking →

What they liked

  • Gentle but effective retinol
  • Hydrating formula
  • Supports sun-stressed skin

What they flagged

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

    What the gurus are saying

    This serum delivers gentle retinol benefits without sacrificing effectiveness. It combines retinol with hydrating ingredients like water, glycerin, rice bran, and camellia extract, plus antioxidant plankton extract that supports skin stressed from travel or sun exposure. Positioned as a luxury product and pricier than most retinols, gurus say the formula justifies the investment for those seeking a gentler approach to retinoid treatment.
    Synthesized from 8 expert reviews · most recent take September 2026

    Best for

    Type

    Key actives

    Formula notes

    Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

    Where to buy

    Opens a search for this product. We do not sell anything ourselves.

    More from Shani Darden 4 products · Guru Score 96% → 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.

    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. Shereene Idriss
    Dr. Shereene Idriss
    1.72M subs
    ✓Yay
    "I love my girl Shaie Darden has her Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol which is a beautiful retinol product as well that can also help to smooth the look of fine lines."
    All 10 takes from Dr. Shereene Idriss
    Sephora Sale Faves For Every Concern from a Dermatologist! (Skincare, Makeup, & Haircare) Dr. Idriss
    "The other retinol that I absolutely love is Shaunie Darden"
    30s & 40s Skincare Routine: How to Use Retinol & Acids Like a Dermatologist! | Dr. Idriss
    "If I'm not using prescription tre, I'll go in with Shaunie Darden's Reinol Reform."
    Top Picks for Black Friday 2025: Underrated Small Beauty Brands Worth Shopping! | Dr. Idriss
    "You cannot have a conversation about aging greasy without talking about her retinol reform. What I love is now she talks about the percentage of retinol on every single one of her packages. So I would strongly advise that you guys look into the retinol reform line"
    Anti-Aging Skincare for 50s+, Mature Skin, & Menopause | Dr. Shereene Idriss
    "Shawnee Darden also has a retinol reform which is encapsulated retinol that allows to be slowly released throughout the day the only thing annoying about the Shawnee Darden one is we don't know the percentage of it"
    Skincare for Your 30s: Anti-Aging, Adult Acne, Oily Skin | Dr. Shereene Idriss
    "Retinol Shawnee Darden has a retinal reform I have a whole retinal video I will plug it below"
    Best of Sephora Spring Sale 2025 | Dermatologist Picks by Dr. Shereene Idriss
    "Shani Darden has her Retinol Reform, a beautiful retinol product that a lot of patients can tolerate. She doesn't disclose the percentage, but patients swear it's stronger than 0.3%."
    How a Dermatologist Decides Between Lasers & Skincare for Dark Spots, Redness, and Texture
    "I love my girl Shaie Darden has her Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol which is a beautiful retinol product as well that can also help to smooth the look of fine lines."
    Skincare for Your 40s: Anti-aging, Discoloration, & Redness | Dr. Shereene Idriss
    "Shani Darden has an encapsulated form of retinol in her Retinol Reform, which retails for eighty-eight dollars. Because it is encapsulated, it is lighter and it gets released over time. But it's combined with lactic acid, so people who think that you cannot combine an exfoliating acid with retinol are wrong. This is why this one tends to be stronger even though it is encapsulated and light, because it has lactic acid in it. But it's a good one to start off with as well."
    Best Serums of 2021 | Dr. Shereene Idriss
    "I love Shani Darden's Retinol Reform. This one retails for eighty-eight dollars. It comes in a pump, which is great. It is an alternative to harsher retinols because it has encapsulated retinol that is combined with a lactic acid to help also brighten and even out your skin tone. It also has antioxidants like green tea extract as well as rosemary leaf extract in it to help your skin protect itself. It's a thicker, yellow-based kind of lotion, but it's pretty lightweight. It has no scent. I've never really had an issue with irritation with this one. If you want to get into the retinol game but you're nervous, you can try it. It's a little bit pricey, but it might be worth trying out."
    Sephora Sale Top Picks 2023 | Dr. Shereene Idriss
    "I love this woman. Shani Darden is a beautiful human being inside and out. She has her Retinol Reform, which is 68 dollars. It is an encapsulated form of retinol that is non-irritating and can help improve the look of textures and fine lines. They do not disclose the percentage of their product, so you're going to have to start low and slow when you're starting this, just in case you are sensitive."
    Dr. Mamina
    Dr. Mamina
    281k subs
    ✓Yay
    "There's also the Shani Darden 1% retinol. Love that one."
    Darnell Cox | 50+ Healthy Aging Expert
    Darnell Cox | 50+ Healthy Aging Expert
    55k subs
    ✓Yay
    "I'm using the Shani Darden Retinol Reform, with one percent encapsulated retinol. By encapsulating the retinol you're not going to get all the peeling and flaking. It's not the only retinoid I use, but it's the one that's my favorite right now, so I use this every night."
    All 7 takes from Darnell Cox | 50+ Healthy Aging Expert
    Want to know what’s in my Travel Bag?🧳 🎙️Watch my IG Live Show to find what I pack as a healthy
    "This is the retinol reform with 1% encapsulated retinoid. So, I I love this."
    Want to know what’s in my Travel Bag?🧳 🎙️Watch my IG Live Show to find what I pack as a healthy
    "This is the retinol reform with 1% encapsulated retinoid. So, I I love this."
    Over 30 and ready to master the ultimate EVENING skincare routine? 🎙️Join me for an IG Live Show
    "The retinoid that I'm loving right now is this Shaunie Dart. I have no affiliation with any of these people. It's just this is the good stuff."
    Over 30 and ready to master the ultimate skincare routine? 🎙️Join me for an IG Live Show where
    "I'm loving right now this Shani Darden retinol. It's an encapsulated retinol, so it's not as irritating, but it still works on fine lines and wrinkles. You don't get the irritation of a regular retinol because it's encapsulated, but man, it works fantastic."
    Your neck is snitching on you
    "This is a retinol reform with 1% encapsulated retinol. I like this because it is encapsulated in a lipid, so when it hits your skin you are not getting the full force of the retinoid. It is like a slow release, which is a lot less irritating."
    😵‍💫Are you tired of these elaborate 10 step skincare routines? 🤔Not only is an extensive
    "I'm currently using the Shani Darden Retinol Reform with 1% encapsulated retinol. When retinol is encapsulated it has the least amount of irritation to your skin. Even though this is the most expensive one I have, about a hundred dollars, it does really help for those who are sensitive to retinoids or don't want their skin flapping over and irritated."
    10 Step Skincare Routine for “Glass Skin”✨ 🎙️On yesterday‘s live show I went over skincare 101
    "I'm using the Shani Darden Retinol Reform, with one percent encapsulated retinol. By encapsulating the retinol you're not going to get all the peeling and flaking. It's not the only retinoid I use, but it's the one that's my favorite right now, so I use this every night."
    Beyond50Skin
    Beyond50Skin
    32k subs
    ✓Yay
    "The formula is beautiful. It's creamy. It feels lovely on the skin."
    Dr. Sam Ellis
    Dr. Sam Ellis
    882k subs
    ✓Yay
    "Whatever they've done with this formula it is not irritating at all and it makes your skin looks so beautiful and glowy"
    Cassandra Bankson
    Cassandra Bankson
    2.45M subs
    ✓Yay
    "This is the retinol reform it's soothing for fine lines and wrinkles but it's made by shaie Darden she's an esthetician uh she's a woman of color and she literally has pioneered the skincare industry"
    All 2 takes from Cassandra Bankson
    I Built A CEO/ Former Managing Director of Facebook A Skincare Routine. Kirthiga Reddy’s SkinStory
    "This is the retinol reform it's soothing for fine lines and wrinkles but it's made by shaie Darden she's an esthetician uh she's a woman of color and she literally has pioneered the skincare industry"
    Reacting To A YOUTUBE EXECUTIVE’S Skincare Routine.. Then Building Her A New One!
    "This is the retinol reform and Shani Darden is a phenomenal esthetician. This is an excellent retinol product if you're looking for something that is gentle but effective. It has water and glycerin so it's nice and hydrating, it has lactobacillus ferment and plankton extract which are way better in my opinion. The plankton extract really gets me excited because of the antioxidant benefits, because of the way this can help build back skin cells, because of the way this can penetrate into and support the skin especially the skin that is stressed from travel or time in the sun. It also has rice bran and Camellia extracts which are super hydrating. Although it's not the cheapest, it is way less expensive than the Lancôme one, and specifically for Lucy's skin type and concerns, I think she's going to love this."
    Allie Glines
    Allie Glines
    829k subs
    ✓Yay
    "The retinol reform is incredible it's so beautiful it really really does the trick it's very gentle but you notice amazing results"
    Hyram
    Hyram
    4.34M subs
    ✓Yay
    "Retinol is definitely the ingredient you want to go with, it's the most powerful ingredient for treating those concerns that you can buy over the counter. I love the Shani Darden Retinol Reform Serum. It's definitely more on the luxury side but has a beautiful experience and works really well."
    All 2 takes from Hyram
    Reacting to VIRAL Tiktok Trend | Frozen Cucumber Facial
    "Retinol is definitely the ingredient you want to go with, it's the most powerful ingredient for treating those concerns that you can buy over the counter. I love the Shani Darden Retinol Reform Serum. It's definitely more on the luxury side but has a beautiful experience and works really well."
    Black Owned Beauty Brands You Can Support in 2022
    "Shani Darden's retinol reform serum, it is incredible, it's always been one of my favorite retinol serums. Granted it is very, very luxury, but the formulas are known for being really incredible and that manifests in the retinol serum, it's just such a good, gentle formula. If you are someone who likes a little bit of the finer things in life and you want a bougie face product, I would recommend that one because it is really incredible."

    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

    Niacinamide

    Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

    Source: DermNet

    Alpha hydroxy acids

    Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

    Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

    Frequently asked.

    What is Shani Darden Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol?

    A retinol serum by esthetician Shani Darden, formulated with retinol alongside hydrating botanicals and antioxidant ingredients to address signs of aging.

    Is Shani Darden Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol worth it?

    Yes. All 8 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 86%.

    What is Shani Darden Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol's Guru Score?

    Shani Darden Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol holds a Guru Score of 86%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 8 expert reviewers we have collected. It is also Guru Certified, our mark for products that hold broad approval across many expert reviewers.

    Who is Shani Darden Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol best for?

    Shani Darden Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol is generally suited to mature skin.

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    Shani Darden Retinol Reform 1% Encapsulated Retinol: a Guru Score of 86% from 8 experts on The Guru Index

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