This serum looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie—opaque white bottle, minimalist font, zero bullshit. The brand calls it “pharmacy-grade clean,” which is a phrase that doesn’t legally mean anything.
But here’s the thing: the ingredient list includes Phenoxyethanol. It’s a common preservative, totally safe at low levels. But “clean beauty” purists lose their shit over it. So either they’re not as clean as they claim, or they’re smart enough to keep their product from growing mold. I respect the hypocrisy.
It’s $78 for 30ml. A retinoid serum with CoQ10 that promises smoothing, firming, and “recovery” (whatever that means). I bought it because they claimed it wouldn’t irritate my skin like retinol does.
HPR (Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate)
A retinoid ester that converts directly in skin—no multi-step activation, less redness.
CoQ10
Antioxidant that declines with age. This one’s encapsulated, so it actually penetrates instead of sitting on top like a sad little shield.
Squalane + Ceramides
Basic barrier support. Not revolutionary, but necessary when you’re slapping on a retinoid.
Photo: Harper Sunday / Unsplash
The hero is HPR—it’s the gentlest retinoid I’ve used, no joke. But the real story is the delivery system. Most serums dump ingredients on your face and pray. This one uses a liposomal encapsulation that actually gets HPR and CoQ10 into cells instead of just sitting there looking expensive.
- HPR: Smoother texture with 1/4 the irritation of retinol
- CoQ10: Helps mitochondria produce energy for skin repair—sounds bro-sciencey, actually real
- Phenoxyethanol: The ‘dirty’ preservative keeping this serum alive on your shelf
- Squalane: Non-comedogenic moisture that won’t break you out
Photo: ONNE Beauty / Unsplash
It’s a thin, almost watery gel that turns silky on contact. Absorbs in about 12 seconds—no sticky residue. Smells like nothing, which I prefer over “natural” essential oils that burn your eyes.
Week 2: I woke up with a small purge on my chin. Not angry, just… annoyed. By week 3, my forehead texture was noticeably smoother. The fine lines around my mouth? Still there. But they looked less like deep crevices and more like gentle suggestions.
After 4 weeks: fewer closed comedones on my forehead, skin looks slightly plumper, and no peeling or redness. My fine lines didn’t disappear—they never do—but makeup sat better. The CoQ10 might actually be doing something long-term, but I can’t prove that in a month.
It’s not “clean”—that’s marketing nonsense. But it’s effective, well-formulated, and the first retinoid I’ve used without wanting to peel my face off. That’s worth more than a buzzword.