Ozera 003 Retinol Night Serum is an evening serum with retinol, hexapeptide-11 and bisabolol. Start on two evenings a week: shake, apply three to four drops to clean, dry skin, avoid the eye area, and follow with cream. Wear sunscreen during the day. Talk to your doctor first if you are pregnant or nursing. Each bottle holds 1 fl oz / 30 ml.
What retinol is
Retinol is a form of vitamin A and one of the best-known cosmetic ingredients. It belongs to the wider retinoid family, which also includes prescription-only ingredients such as tretinoin. Retinol is the over-the-counter form used in cosmetics. Dermatologists generally advise starting slowly, because retinoids can cause dryness and irritation while skin adjusts. Why retinol is an evening ingredient.
The full formula, in plain English
- Aqua — water.
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride — a light emollient.
- Phospholipids — lipids that help carry oil-soluble ingredients in a water-based serum.
- Retinol — vitamin A.
- Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate — a starch powder that affects texture. It is one reason to shake the bottle.
- 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol — humectants and solvents.
- Hexapeptide-11 — a synthetic peptide classified as a skin-conditioning ingredient.
- Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Carboxyethyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate — thickeners.
- Bisabolol — a compound originally found in chamomile, used as a skin-conditioning ingredient.
Retinol appears fourth in the list. That tells you it isn’t a trace ingredient, but position doesn’t give you the percentage, and we don’t publish one because it hasn’t been verified to us in writing. Our manufacturer lists the formula as fragrance-free, alcohol-free and vegan.
Your first eight weeks: a sensible pace
The label says to begin twice a week. A calm way to follow that:
- Weeks 1–2: two evenings a week, not back to back (for example, Monday and Thursday).
- Weeks 3–4: if your skin is comfortable, stay at two evenings or add a third.
- After that: increase only if your skin tolerates it. There is no requirement to use it every night.
If your skin feels tight, flaky or sore, go back a step or pause. Going faster doesn’t get you anywhere sooner, and irritation is the most common reason people give up on retinol.
How to apply it
- Cleanse, then let your skin dry fully. Applying to damp skin can make some people more sensitive.
- Shake the bottle.
- Press three to four drops over your face and neck, avoiding the eye area, the corners of your nose and your lips.
- Wait a moment, then apply eye gel (on the orbital bone only) and cream.
On evenings without retinol, skip the serum and use your usual eye gel and cream.
Sunscreen is part of the instructions
The label tells you to wear sunscreen during the day. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning, applied generously and reapplied as its directions say. How to choose a sunscreen.
Using it with vitamin C
In our range, 004 Vitamin C Serum is for mornings and retinol is for evenings, so they aren’t layered together. Start them at different times, a couple of weeks apart. More on retinol and vitamin C.
Using it with other actives
Be cautious about combining retinol with exfoliating acids (AHAs and BHAs), benzoyl peroxide or other retinoids on the same evening. If you use prescription skincare, ask your prescriber before adding any retinol product.
Who should wait or ask first
- If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or nursing, talk to your doctor before using retinol. Dermatologists advise against retinoids during pregnancy.
- If you have a skin condition or very reactive skin, ask a dermatologist first.
- If you have irritated, sunburned or broken skin, wait until it has settled.
When to stop
Stop using it if irritation occurs: burning, swelling, or redness that doesn’t settle. Don’t push through discomfort. If a reaction is severe or persistent, see a doctor, and report it to us. We refund reactions without asking for the bottle back.
What we can’t tell you
- The retinol percentage (not verified to us in writing).
- A timeline for visible results. We don’t promise any.
- That it is gentler than another retinol product. We have no comparative data.
Further reading: American Academy of Dermatology: Retinoid or retinol? · American Academy of Dermatology: Pregnancy skin care · INCIDecoder: Hexapeptide-11 · American Academy of Dermatology: How to apply sunscreen
See the current price, full ingredient list, directions and warnings on the 003 Retinol Night Serum page.
Photography: Dolunay laylay / Unsplash.