Ingredient glossary
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
On your shelf ✓What Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate · Also: HPR, Granactive Retinoid
In short: Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate delivers anti-aging support and texture, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is emerging. One thing to know: not for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- What it does
- Anti aging, texture
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Not for pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Evidence
- Emerging
The molecule
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is softening fine lines and keeping skin firm, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate delivers, though the proof is still catching up to the excitement. Skip it while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and the rest of the time bring it in slowly.
— Maya
What it does
- anti aging
- texture
- brightening
emerging evidenceEarly in vivo and clinical data suggest that low concentrations (~0.03%) can deliver wrinkle and texture improvements comparable to higher-strength retinol with fewer irritation signs.
On a label: works best above 0.03%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- normal
- oily
- combo
- sensitive
Approach with care
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: pregnancy, breastfeeding.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- ceramides
- niacinamide
- panthenol
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, answered
Is Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate safe during pregnancy?
No. Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or trying, leave this one out and ask your doctor about a safe alternative.
Who should avoid Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate?
Approach Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate with care if any of these apply to you: pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What concentration of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate actually works?
Research tends to show Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate starts pulling its weight above 0.03%. If a brand prints the percentage, that is the number to look for.
During pregnancy
Leave Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate out while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It sits on the list of ingredients usually held back during this time.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
Compare Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate with
Can you mix Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate with
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.