Dr. Althea Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream — Efficacy 4.5/5.0, Safety 4.3/5.0 | DemythSkin
++++
[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
Dr. Althea Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream

Dr. Althea Pure Retinol 0.15% Cream

MoisturizerAnti-Aging
Efficacy
Exceptional
4.5 / 5.0
Safety
Safe
4.3 / 5.0
System Verdict
This is a smartly engineered, beginner-friendly retinol cream that actually earns its anti-aging claims with a well-buffered 0.15% pure retinol core. The efficacy score is high because you get an S Tier retinoid (retinol 0.15%) in a lipid-rich, barrier-supporting base with Centella, ceramide NP, cholesterol, panthenol, bakuchiol, and soothing allies that meaningfully counter irritation while photostabilizers and antioxidants (vitamin E, benzotriazolyl dodecyl p-cresol, hindered phenolic antioxidant) protect retinol from degradation; kojic acid and a peptide are present but likely at low, supporting levels, so they add minor brightening and line-smoothing benefits rather than driving the formula.
Active Ingredients Detected
S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative
RetinolKojic Acid
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
WaterGlycerinCaprylic/Capric TriglyceridePanthenolBetaineHydrogenated LecithinCholesterolTocopherolAllantoinCeramide NPMadecassoside
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
Centella Asiatica Leaf WaterButylene GlycolCetyl EthylhexanoateHydrogenated Polydecene1,2-HexanediolAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerPolyacrylamideHydroxyacetophenoneC13-14 IsoalkaneAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerPentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateTromethamineBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-CresolBakuchiolGlyceryl PolymethacrylateHDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone CrosspolymerLaureth-7Xanthan GumPolyvinyl AlcoholSodium PhytateMethylpropanediolCaprylyl GlycolAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data
Sodium DNA
D Tier: Potential IrritantsBe Cautious
EthylhexylglycerinPhenylpropanol
Analyze on DemythSkin

DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score.