Retinol 0.3% Night Serum
Retinol, a starter strength
Retinol 0.3% Night Serum
A starter-strength retinol in squalane for smoother-looking skin
4.2, 5 sample reviews30 ml
In stock, ships within 1 working day
- Delivery RM 7 in Peninsular Malaysia, 1 to 4 working days. Free over RM 100. Details
- 15-day returns on sealed, unopened products.
Details
Retinol is a form of vitamin A that skin converts, in steps, toward the active retinoic acid. That makes it gentler and slower than prescription retinoids. At 0.3% it is a starter strength: enough to help the look of fine lines and rough texture, mild enough to introduce slowly.
It is suspended in squalane and caprylic triglyceride with bisabolol, and packed in opaque black glass because retinol breaks down in light and air. Close the cap firmly after each use. It goes on at night only.
Suits: Adults new to retinol or returning to it, with normal, combination or oily skin. Dry skin can use it with a moisturiser on top.
- pH
- 5.5 to 6.0
- Texture
- Light, silky emulsion
- Packaging
- Opaque black glass dropper
- Use
- Night only
How to use
- NightCleanse and dry your skin fully. Damp skin increases irritation.
- NightSqueeze the dropper for 3 to 4 drops, about a pea-sized amount, and smooth it over your whole face, avoiding the eye area and the corners of the nose and mouth.
- NightWait a few minutes, then apply moisturiser.
How often: Weeks 1 and 2: two nights a week. Weeks 3 and 4: three nights. After that, every other night, or nightly if your skin is comfortable. The AAD and DermNet both suggest starting on alternate nights at most.
Warnings
- Do not use if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. The AAD advises avoiding retinoids in pregnancy, including retinol in skin care. If you are breastfeeding, ask your doctor first.
- Use sunscreen every morning: retinoids can increase sensitivity to the sun.
- Stop and ask a pharmacist or doctor if skin becomes very red, swollen or painful. If you have rosacea, eczema or moderate to severe acne scarring, see a dermatologist first.
Shipping and returns
Delivery is RM 7 in Peninsular Malaysia (1 to 4 working days) and RM 18 to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan (3 to 7 working days). It is free over RM 100 and RM 150 respectively. Cash on delivery is available in Peninsular Malaysia, RM 5 handling.
Sealed, unopened products can be returned within 15 days of delivery. Faulty or wrong items are always covered.
The formula
Every ingredient in label order. The actives are marked, and the 1% line shows where the amounts fall below 1%.
Retinol, a starter strength
Retinol 0.3%
The shaded band: Starter strengths sit at 0.1% to 0.3% (industry practice). The EU caps face products at 0.3% retinol equivalent. Malaysia sets no numeric limit. About retinol
| Ingredient | Job | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AquaWater | Solvent | Over 1% |
| Squalane | Emollient | 8% |
| Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Emollient | 6% |
| Glycerin | Humectant | 4% |
| Cetearyl Olivate | Emulsifier | 2% |
| Sorbitan Olivate | Emulsifier | 2% |
| The 1% lineBelow this line the amounts are under 1%, and the labelling rule allows any order. | ||
| RetinolVitamin A | Active | 0.3% |
| Bisabolol | Soothing | Under 1% |
| TocopherolVitamin E | Antioxidant | Under 1% |
| BHT | Antioxidant | Under 1% |
| Disodium EDTA | Chelating agent | Under 1% |
| Xanthan Gum | Thickener | Under 1% |
| Hydroxyacetophenone | Preservative booster | Under 1% |
| Phenoxyethanol | Preservative | Under 1% |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | Preservative booster | Under 1% |
As printed on the packAqua, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Retinol, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin.
How to use it
- NightCleanse and dry your skin fully. Damp skin increases irritation.
- NightSqueeze the dropper for 3 to 4 drops, about a pea-sized amount, and smooth it over your whole face, avoiding the eye area and the corners of the nose and mouth.
- NightWait a few minutes, then apply moisturiser.
- How often
- Weeks 1 and 2: two nights a week. Weeks 3 and 4: three nights. After that, every other night, or nightly if your skin is comfortable. The AAD and DermNet both suggest starting on alternate nights at most.
- Layering
- On its own night. Keep BHA and vitamin C to other times while you are getting used to it.
- Patch test
- Patch test on your inner forearm or behind your ear for 24 hours before the first use.
- How long it takes
- Retinoids are slow. Give it at least 12 weeks of regular use before you judge. Some dryness, flaking or redness in the first weeks is common: cut back a night if it happens.
Keep apart
- BHA 2% Clarifying Liquid: Two exfoliating or resurfacing actives on the same night is a common cause of irritation for beginners.
- Vitamin C 10% Serum: Keep vitamin C for mornings and retinol for nights.
What the research says
Retinol and retinaldehyde are considerably less irritating than tretinoin. In a 24-week trial, a 0.4% retinol lotion applied up to three times a week reduced fine wrinkling on the arms of elderly volunteers compared with a plain lotion. The AAD recommends the least intense formula, used every other night to start.
What it does not say
Malaysia's cosmetic annexes set no numeric limit for retinol, and retinol strengths are not required on the label, so 'starter' is not a standard. We use the EU's 0.3% retinol equivalent for face products as our own ceiling. The trial was on arms, and the 12-week figure is a rule of thumb. Two nights a week is our own starting guidance. Retinoids are advised against in pregnancy as a precaution.
Sources
- AAD. Retinoid or retinol?
- Kafi R et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Arch Dermatol 2007
- DermNet. Topical retinoids
- EU Regulation 2024/996, retinol entry 376 (0.3% retinol equivalent, leave-on)
Checked 29 September 2026.
On the label and with NPRA
- NPRA notification
- NOT2609XXXXXKDemo placeholder, not a real number
- Notification holder
- Lumira Skin Sdn. Bhd. (demo)
- Also on the pack
- Function, directions, full ingredient list, country of manufacture, net content, batch number and expiry date, in English.
- Claims
- We follow NPRA's guideline for cosmetic claims: this product helps the look and feel of skin and does not treat any condition. Concerns it is made for: early fine lines, dullness and uneven tone.
- Check any product
- NPRA Quest3+ search
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Reviews
These are sample reviews written for the demo, not from real customers. The effects of the product may vary among individuals.
- Sample review
Followed the schedule, no drama
Twice a week for two weeks, then three. A bit of dryness in week two. Skin texture feels smoother now at week ten.
Farah D., Kuala Lumpur. Combination skin. 18 Aug 2026
- Sample review
Gentle starter
I had avoided retinol because friends said it peeled them. The 0.3% with slow introduction was comfortable.
Melissa Y., Petaling Jaya. Normal skin. 2 Aug 2026
- Sample review
Airless pump is smart
No mess, no oxidised gunk. I only use it at night with the barrier cream on top.
Zul K., Shah Alam. Oily skin. 14 Jul 2026
Show 2 more reviews
- Sample review
Dry patches first fortnight
My cheeks got flaky in week one because I skipped the moisturiser. Learned my lesson. Better now.
Grace T., Kuching. Dry skin. 30 Jun 2026
Reply from Lumira Skin
Sorry about the flaking. Two nights a week for the first fortnight, moisturiser on top, and skip a night when skin feels tight. Please email us if it does not settle.
- Sample review
Sensible instructions
I liked that the pack tells you who should not use it. The schedule made it easy.
Nadia F., Seremban. Combination skin. 5 Jun 2026