Medicube Deep Reviving Bakuchiol Retinol Facial Serum

Overview

The hero ingredient is retinol, and you use it as a targeted treatment step. With a strong 4.5 out of 5 from 1k ratings, it is a well-liked pick. It uses active ingredients, so patch test first and introduce it slowly if your skin is reactive.

The summary above follows how Medicube markets this product. We also read the published ingredient list line by line, and it tells a different story: what the ingredient order actually says.

At a glance

How the ratings break down

Amazon's own star distribution for this product, read on 2026-10-28. We show the one-star share too, because an average alone hides it.

5% of these ratings are one or two stars. That is about typical for the Medicube range, where the median is 6%.

We cannot tell you what those reviewers said. Amazon.com now requires an account to open the full review list, so the critical reviews are not readable from a public page. We would rather say that than guess.

What is retinol?

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that targets fine lines, texture and firmness over time. It can irritate at first, so introduce it slowly and use sunscreen by day.

Ingredients, as listed by Medicube

Taken from Medicube's own product page on 2026-10-18. We have not verified it against a physical pack, and formulations change by market and batch. If an ingredient matters to you, check the pack itself.

Show the full ingredient list (65 ingredients)

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Retinal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Chitosan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Squalane, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Panthenol, 4-t-Butylcyclohexanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sucrose Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Tromethamine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Allantoin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Retinyl Palmitate, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ceramide NP, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Retinyl Linoleate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Beta-Glucan, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Silica, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Tocopherol, Retinyl Retinoate, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance(Parfum)

What the ingredient order actually tells you

• The lead retinoid is not the one in the name. Retinal sits 13th of 65, ahead of every other vitamin A entry: hydroxypinacolone retinoate 32nd, retinol 41st, retinyl palmitate 43rd, retinyl linoleate 50th and retinyl retinoate 60th. Six retinoids in all, with retinal the best placed by a distance.
• Bakuchiol, the other word on the label, sits 42nd, one place behind retinol. As a plant-based softener of the retinoid experience, it is a garnish at that position.
• The base is oil-rich for a serum: macadamia, olive, jojoba and grape seed oils fill eighth to 12th, just behind niacinamide at seventh. Expect a slightly slippy texture rather than a watery one.
• Two details look like irritation management: 4-t-butylcyclohexanol at 26th is an anti-stinging ingredient, and centella entries sit 17th to 19th. Fragrance is present, but as the very last entry at 65th.

Our read

Read this as a retinal serum with a long tail of other retinoids, niacinamide at seventh and a cushion of plant oils, rather than as a bakuchiol product. Retinal at 13th is a real position for a strong retinoid, so introduce it slowly, at night, and keep sunscreen in the morning. The bakuchiol and retinol in the name both sit in the bottom half.

Who should skip this

• You chose it as a gentle bakuchiol alternative to retinoids. Retinal sits 13th, and bakuchiol is a garnish at 42nd.
• You are pregnant or trying to conceive. Retinoids are the ingredient class doctors usually advise avoiding then, and this list carries six.
• You need fragrance-free. It is the last entry, but it is there.

A note on how we read that list. Ingredient lists run in descending order of concentration, but only for ingredients above 1%. Below that, the order is up to the manufacturer, so a low position tells you something is present at a low level, not exactly how much. We do not guess at percentages. FDA labeling guide.

What the listing says

Medicube's own description of this product, as published on its Amazon.com listing. It is marketing copy, not our assessment, and we have not verified the claims in it.

• Advanced 4th Gen Retinol - Boost skin radiance with our low irritant retinol formula, clinically tested for smoother, clearer skin and reduced fine lines.
• Powerful Bakuchiol Combo - Combines retinol with Bakuchiol, a gentle, plant-based alternative that improves skin texture and fine lines, ideal for sensitive skin.
• Rapid Absorption Technology - Features liposome retinol delivery for deep, quick absorption, maximizing effectiveness while minimizing irritation.
• Premium Active Ingredients - Enriched with Retinal, Encapsulated Retinol, and Niacinamide to even skin tone, diminish blemish scars, and fight signs of aging.
• Safe for All Skin Types - Dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic, cruelty-free, with a low-irritating pH of 6.3, perfect for daily use in any skincare routine.

Full listing title: medicube Deep Reviving Bakuchiol Retinol Facial Serum

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