Sunday Riley

Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum.

Retinoids

Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

About this product

A high-dose retinoid serum by Sunday Riley with a 6.5% blend including retinol esters, encapsulated retinol, and Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate.

Full ingredients

Water/Eau/Aqua, Propanediol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Triheptanoin, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Hexyldecanol, Disiloxane, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Diheptyl Succinate, Propylene Carbonate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 0.5%, PPG-24-Glycereth-24, Phenyl Trimethicone, Retinol, Ubiquinone (Coq10), Honey Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Algae Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Phospholipids, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, 4-T- Butylcyclohexanol, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide, Polysilicone-11, Benzoic Acid

Guru Score

65%

Mixed

5 experts · Moderate agreement

5Gurus

2Yay

2Mixed

1Nay

What they liked

Silky texture spreads easily
Skin feels soft and smooth after use
Gentle enough for retinoid newcomers

What they flagged

Pricey for mid-strength potency
Divisive musky scent
'High-dose' claim misleads about actual strength

What the gurus are saying

The 'high-dose' label is misleading. Experts found this is actually a low-to-medium strength blend. The texture is lovely and spreads easily, leaving skin soft. Reviewers flag a controversial smell (musky to some, unnoticeable to others) and steep price where branding outweighs formulation. It may suit someone new to retinoids willing to pay for luxury, though experts remain torn on the value.

Synthesized from 5 expert reviews · most recent take December 2025

Best for

Acne-prone skin Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Retinoid Hyaluronic acid

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Ulta → Amazon → Google →

Opens a search for this product. Some links are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never sways a score or a verdict.

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

Doctor Anne

56k subs

~Mixed

"My husband also liked the Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum because the texture is really lovely. Despite the name, it's the weakest of the four retinoids I showed, [...] because the retinoid in here is a blend of retinol esters and others to reach the percentage they claim. He loved the texture but it's quite expensive. If he was willing to splurge I'd opt for it, but as he isn't, we'll stick to the Geek & Gorgeous ones."

All 3 takes from Doctor Anne

I Used Up ALL of These in 2025 - Skincare, Hair & Makeup Empties | Doctor Anne

Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum: What 6,5 % Really Means for Your Skin | Doctor Anne

"I admit I am torn if the Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum is something I would recommend. On the pro side it has a beautiful texture and makes the skin feel instantly smooth. The cons are the 'high dose retinoid' claim that in my opinion isn't backed by the ingredients they are using, I think it is medium strength at best, and that feels slightly misleading with the 6.5% prominent on the label when only a fraction of this 6.5% is actually retinol."

Sunday Riley and a new couch: What's new in April? | Doctor Anne

"Sunday Riley sent me the A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum. I'm not going to lie, I read high dose retinoid serum, looked at the ingredient list, and haven't used it enough, might change my mind, but I think that's more of a mid dose retinoid serum than a high dose retinoid serum. I will keep testing it and report back. What I can say is the packaging is beautiful, metallic blue with silver specks."

The Style and Beauty Doctor

221k subs

~Mixed

".5 oz of the A+ High doe Retinol Serum"

Nipun Kapur

411k subs

~Yay

"One of them is my favorite Sunday Riley a retinol plus retinol serum"

Translated from the guru's original language.

All 4 takes from Nipun Kapur

Top 5 high end retinols worth your money | Nipun Kapur

"The Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum is a fabulous product. It's a non-irritating gentle formula, so even though retinoid is a byproduct, you're not going to feel heat. Your marks are going to fade away and your skin is going to feel deeply nourished and hydrated. It's amazing if you want to level up before you just use a high-strength retinol."

Skincare that is worth your money! | Nipun Kapur

"The A+ retinol from Sunday Riley is fabulous. It's expensive but fabulous."

Skincare Live! Taking your questions | Nipun Kapur

"I quite like it."

Best retinol in the market is here | Ordinary Retinal Emulsion Review | Nipun Kapur

"One of them is my favorite Sunday Riley a retinol plus retinol serum"

Translated from the guru's original language.

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Nay

"Then they come out with this [niacinamide] serum which in my opinion smells like toilet bowl cleanser"

All 2 takes from No BS Beauty

ELF Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum Review, How to Use, & Dupe for $100+ Retinols!

"The Sunday Riley A+ highd do retinoid serum which is like what 100 bucks"

Bad Products from Good Brands - Skincare Products I Hate From Brands I Love

"Then they come out with this [niacinamide] serum which in my opinion smells like toilet bowl cleanser"

Caroline Hirons

250k subs

~Yay

"I really like, really really like this eye cream. What made A+ Retinol stand out from the others and still does is that it has instant gratification for me. It's hydrating, you can use it under makeup—all of the usual criteria that I want from an eye cream—but it also has light reflective properties. That's not the reason I think it's great, it's the added bonus, so when you put it on your eyes go oh you don't look like you've got two piss holes in the snow."

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

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 Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum?

A high-dose retinoid serum by Sunday Riley with a 6.5% blend including retinol esters, encapsulated retinol, and Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate.

Is Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 65%.

What is Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum's Guru Score?

Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum holds a Guru Score of 65%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected.