Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum.

Retinoids

About this product

A retinol serum formulated with vegan retinol linoleate, combining safflower-derived linoleic acid and retinol to support nightly skin renewal.

Full ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Propanediol, Sorbitan Stearate, Sclerotium Gum, Retinyl Linoleate, Retinol, Avena Sativa (Oat) Bran Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Niacinamide, Bisabolol, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phytic Acid, Synthetic Beeswax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Cire De Carnauba, Maltodextrin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide

Guru Score

77%

Approved

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

1Approved

1Mixed

0Skip

What the gurus are saying

It's not true retinol. The formula uses vegan retinol linoleate, a gentler pro-retinol made from safflower oil and retinol, which means it's designed for sensitive skin and anyone beginning with retinoids. Gurus praise it for that beginner-friendly gentleness, though they note the naming can be misleading, and credit the brand for its smaller-business approach.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take February 2026

Type

Retinoids

Key actives

Retinoid Niacinamide Hyaluronic acidVitamin ESqualane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Amazon → Google →

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

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

No BS Beauty

89k subs

✓Approved

"Very nice product. Smaller business. That's what I like"

Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.72M subs

✓Mixed

"She also has her newest product, which just launched, her Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum for 69 dollars. It is a vegan retinol linoleate, which is derived from a pro-retinol composed of retinol and high purity linoleic acid from safflower oil, similar to the one that is in Glossier's Universal Pro Retinol Overnight Renewing Treatment. I don't like that they call it retinol because it's not really a retinol, but if you are sensitive and you want to begin, it is a beginner's retinol."

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

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum?

A retinol serum formulated with vegan retinol linoleate, combining safflower-derived linoleic acid and retinol to support nightly skin renewal.

Is Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum worth it?

Mostly yes. 1 of the 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 77%.

What is Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum's Guru Score?

Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum holds a Guru Score of 77%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.