Skin Rocks

Retinoid 2.

Retinoids

About this product

A 0.5% retinoid serum formulated with hydroxypinacolone retinoate and boosting ingredients, designed for experienced retinoid users or those with acne-prone and problem skin.

Best for

Acne-prone skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Vitamin C RetinoidVitamin ESqualane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Full ingredients

Aqua (Water, Eau), Dimethyl Isosorbide, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glycerin, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bakuchiol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinal, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Extract (Extrait D'Orge), Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Seed Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Polyisobutene, Bisabolol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum

Guru Score

85%

Approved

3 experts · Moderate agreement

3Gurus

3Approved

0Mixed

0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Hydroxypinacolone retinoate at this strength delivers results closer to prescription retinoids but with less irritation than traditional retinol, making it worth trying for anyone who has struggled with retinoid tolerance before. The gurus who reviewed it recommend it most for experienced users or those managing breakouts and acne, though it may also work for people maintaining clear skin. If you have never tolerated other retinoids well, this one's gentler profile is worth patch-testing first.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take February 2024

Where to buy

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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.

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Caroline Hirons

251k subs

✓Approved

"I have a Skin Rocks Retinoid 2 which is my retinoid of choice. Retinoid 2 is 0.5% with boosters which makes it around 0.6%. We don't use any retinol in our retinoid product. Retinoid 2 is for you if you are a hardcore user or you want maintenance or you've got problem skin, breakouts, acne, you would use Retinoid 2."

Top Pick: retinoid

Nadine Baggott

164k subs

✓Approved

"Skin Rocks Retinoid 2 is beautiful stuff. I've been on retinoid since 365 years ago so I'm not a starting person, but this is number two and it's a good product."

Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.71M subs

✓Approved

"Skin Rocks Retinoid 2 has 0.5 percent hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which makes for a stronger product. It automatically works within your cell but it is less irritating, so it is an interesting one to try if you've never been able to tolerate a retinol or a retinal ester. You may be able to tolerate this one."

Common questions

Frequently asked.

What is Skin Rocks Retinoid 2?

A 0.5% retinoid serum formulated with hydroxypinacolone retinoate and boosting ingredients, designed for experienced retinoid users or those with acne-prone and problem skin.

Is Skin Rocks Retinoid 2 worth it?

Yes. All 3 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 85%.

What is Skin Rocks Retinoid 2's Guru Score?

Skin Rocks Retinoid 2 holds a Guru Score of 85%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 independent expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.