Kiehl's

Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum.

Retinoids

About this product

A night serum with a powder-to-liquid retinol formula designed to reduce wrinkles and improve elasticity.

Full ingredients

Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, C12-14 Pareth-12, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Carbomer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Tromethamine, Glycereth-25 Pca Isostearate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Tricaprylin, Retinol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica Silylate, Silica, Magnesium Stearate

Guru Score

84%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

The powder-to-liquid formula keeps retinol stable through use, and studies show it tackles deeper wrinkles and elasticity more effectively than Kiehl's other retinols. A tiny amount covers the whole face while staying gentle, thanks to niacinamide, peptides, glycerin, panthenol, and adenosine. Those already using retinol find it a solid step up; newer users may want to start elsewhere first.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take November 2024

What they liked

Powder-and-liquid formula keeps retinol stable
Stronger retinol concentration for advanced users
Improves texture, fine lines, and deeper wrinkles

What they flagged

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

Best for

Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsLiquid

Key actives

RetinoidVitamin E

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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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.

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Dr. Daniel Sugai

722k subs

✓Yay

"This one has niacinamide peptide complex and your retinol, so this is very gentle. Just a tiny amount is all you need to treat your whole face. It seems like not enough, but I promise it's enough. Kiehl's has made a nice night serum. This one packs a bigger punch than their other one that has peptide, but this one is the fast-release wrinkle-reducing night serum, so this one is really nice."

All 3 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai

Dermatologist Explains: Three Ways to Improve Crow’s Feet!

"Kels makes a fast release serum"

How to Upgrade your Nighttime Skincare Routine!

Dermatologist Explains: THREE Tips to Optimize Your Bedtime Skincare Routine!

"They also make a fast release retinol that's I believe 0.3% in strength so that's a nice one if you're an advanced user."

Doctorly

3.59M subs

✓Yay

"In addition to improving texture and fine lines, this one in studies has actually been shown to improve deeper wrinkles and the elasticity of the skin because it's stronger than the other ones. [...] It's a super unique formula with a [...] powder that you release [...] into the liquid in order to keep it as stable as possible for as long as possible. [...] I'm a retinol pro at this point, so I have no irritation with this product at all."

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

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum?

A night serum with a powder-to-liquid retinol formula designed to reduce wrinkles and improve elasticity.

Is Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 84%.

What is Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum's Guru Score?

Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.