Anua

Anua Retinol 0.3% Niacinamide Renewing Serum.

Retinoids

About this product

A lightweight retinol serum combining 0.3% retinol with 5% niacinamide, designed to support skin renewal and help even out skin tone.

Full ingredients

Water, Glycereth-26, Niacinamide (5%), Malus Domestica Fruit Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Castanea Crenata (Chestnut) Shell Extract, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Diospyros Kaki Leaf Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower/Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Carapa Guianensis Seed Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Guru Score

74%

Mixed

4 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

This mid-strength retinol earns praise for transparent ingredient disclosure and a well-studied niacinamide level that helps even skin tone. Gurus found the formulation works gently enough for retinol beginners, though those with reactive skin may want to patch-test first because of the plant extract blend. One expert flagged a regulatory concern about approval status, which may matter depending on your region.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take March 2025

What they liked

Clear ingredient disclosure with percentages
Well-studied niacinamide level at 5%
Beginner-friendly retinol strength

What they flagged

Not duly approved
Plant extracts may irritate reactive skin

Best for

Combination skin Sensitive skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Niacinamide Hyaluronic acidVitamin E

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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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

Nipun Kapur

412k subs

~Yay

"Anua gives you a great 0.3 with niacinamide basically you can apply any retinol keep it gentle"

Translated from the guru's original language.

All 3 takes from Nipun Kapur

Best Products from Anua for All Skin Types | Best Korean Skincare for Indian Skin | Nipun Kapur

"In this you get 0.3% retinol plus you get niacinamide again it's a hybrid serum and this is my thing nowadays like every time I'm looking at products I'm looking at two or three concentrations so that you get a little more out of a single product and in that thing I think Anua has done a great great job with the 0.3 retinol minimalist and you know you're wanting to look at a change look at a product like this because this is more hybrid more concentrated better quality."

How to Treat Hormonal Acne | Effective Solutions | Nipun Kapur

"Anua gives you a great 0.3 with niacinamide basically you can apply any retinol keep it gentle"

Translated from the guru's original language.

Top 5 Korean Retinol Serums for Glowing Skin | Best Anti-Aging Products 2024 | Nipun Kapur

"Anua ka jo retinol hai you get 0.3 so this is clearly a step up mid strength retinol hai what I love about it is that they have integrated 5 percent naya cinnamyl in it"

Translated from the guru's original language.

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

~Nay

"Unfortunately it seems like Teach Tre is one of the key ingredients that I used in a lot of these products because that's the signature of this particular K cosmetic formulator, they've gotten a lot right but for us it's just we actually can't afford to fall over at any of the hurdles because our skin is so unforgiving. So for me unfortunately this is not duly approved."

AliceintheRabbitHole

59k subs

~Yay

"They're telling you the niacinamide percentage, 5%, a great well studied level for evening out skin tone, and the retinol complex is [...] 11% retinol, which is a fantastic beginner level. I'm shocked how well this went for me, I do actually feel my skin did great with this, and I love the disclosure. Because it has a lot of plant extracts you might want to proceed with caution if you have a more reactive skin type."

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Yay

"That one feels really nice and you got that fruity scent to it which some people will love"

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

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

Urea

Urea both holds water in the skin and gently loosens dead surface cells. At higher strengths it has good evidence for very dry or thickened skin.

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 Anua Retinol 0.3% Niacinamide Renewing Serum?

A lightweight retinol serum combining 0.3% retinol with 5% niacinamide, designed to support skin renewal and help even out skin tone.

Is Anua Retinol 0.3% Niacinamide Renewing Serum worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 74%.

What is Anua Retinol 0.3% Niacinamide Renewing Serum's Guru Score?

Anua Retinol 0.3% Niacinamide Renewing Serum holds a Guru Score of 74%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.