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Shani Darden · Skin · Retinol and retinal

Shani Darden Retinol Reform with 1% Encapsulated Retinol

An esthetician's retinol, stated at 1% encapsulated by the maker, with niacinamide and a tripeptide. Newcomers rate it well; people who used the old formula are its loudest critics.

1 ozSerumRetinolNiacinamideCeramide NPFragrance-free
$75 MSRP for the 30 mlAmazon price not shown
Check price on Amazon →

Amazon link · we earn a commission if you buy · $75 MSRP for the 30 ml · Amazon price not shown · verified Nov 1, 2026. More stores appear here as each affiliate program approves the site.

Buy it if

  • You want a stated retinol strength on the label
  • You want retinol with niacinamide and a ceramide in one step
  • You want a formula other owners call gentle

Walk past if

  • You loved the old version; owners say this one irritates
  • You want value; $75 MSRP buys one ounce
  • You want fast results; some owners call it too gentle

What's in it

The ingredients that do the work, from the maker’s label.

RetinolNiacinamideCeramide NPPrickly pear extract

Niacinamide guide →Retinol and retinal guide →Sulfate-free →Fragrance-free →

Not in it: fragrance, essential oils, drying alcohol, sulfates. Nothing on our flag list.

Full ingredient list, from the maker

WATER / AQUA / EAU, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Lactobacillus Ferment, Retinol, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Opuntia ficus-indica Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hexanoyl Dipeptide-3 Norleucine Acetate, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xylitylglucoside, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Linoleic Acid, Phospholipids, Glucosamine HCl, Anhydroxylitol, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Algin, Polysorbate 60, Xylitol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Hexylene Glycol, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polysorbate 20, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Plankton Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Cetyl Palmitate, Laureth-23, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trideceth-6 Phosphate, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum

Known issue

Owners of the old formula say the new one irritates and congests skin, and others see nothing happen after a whole bottle.Sephora and MakeupAlley reviews

What owners say

Filled by the research pass: two or three owner reports from named venues, each linked, each with the date it was read.

If it's not right

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum$21.99 MSRPEncapsulated retinol with niacinamide and ceramides, for night use. Some reviewers call it a gentle first retinol, but the strength is not on the label.CeraVe Moisturizing CreamNo maker list price for this sizeThree ceramides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum in a thick cream for face and body. The plain standard for dry skin, developed with dermatologists according to the maker.

Sources

  1. Maker page: full ingredient list, 30 ml list price, 1% encapsulated retinol and upgraded formula statements.
  2. Sephora reviews, 4.7 from 118: irritation and congestion from the new formula, a strong alcohol smell, redness for a few, and too gentle for one.
  3. MakeupAlley reviews of the earlier formula, about 3.3 of 5 from four: no change or improvement for one reviewer. (read from a search excerpt)

Ingredient lists from the maker's label, not our measurements.