Hands up if retinol is making your skin all red and flaky. It’s driving you crazy. You know that retinol is the best thing to get rid of wrinkles. But, your skin just doesn’t get along with it. Or maybe you just crave a shorter adjustment phase. Why do you have to suffer for a month before it finally starts working its magic?
Retinol is tricky like that. But, there are other members of its family that works just as well AND without the irritation. Let me introduce you to retinaldehyde, the key ingredient in Beautyproof YoungMe Dragone D’Or Super Stimulator. Here’s all you need to know about it:
What’s In Beautyproof YoungMe Dragone D’Or Super Stimulator?
RETINALDEYDE TO FIGHT WRINKLES
Retinaldehyde is a form of vitamin A. It’s just one step away from retinoic acid (pure form of vitamin A) and retinol, so your body can easily convert it into both:
Retinyl palmitate > Retinol > Retinaldehyde > Retinoic acid
Just like other retinoids, retinaldehyde is effective against wrinkles, dark spots and acne:
- A 1999 study found that retinaldehyde “has many of the properties of tretinoin in its beneficial effects on photoaging”. It reduces UVA damage, boosts collagen and repairs elastin fibers.
- A 2005 study confirms its collagen-boosting abilities and suggests retinaldehyde works even better when paired with other antioxidants (no one likes to play alone).
- A 2013 study proves it’s just as good at fading dark spots. It works by reducing melanin concentration in the skin.
- A 2002 study discovered its has powerful antibacterial properties that kill P.Acnes, the bacteria that causes acne.
- A 2014 study paired it with glycolic acid and noted this combo is effective at treating mild to moderate acne even during the sun exposure period – without irritating skin.
But is it gentler than other forms of vitamin A, such as retinol and retinoic acid? Once again, science says yes! Don’t get me wrong. Retinaldehyde is powerful. You still need to introduce it into your skincare routine gently: twice a week, at night, will do the trick.
Related: The Complete Guide To Retinaldehyde In Skincare
NIACINAMIDE TO… EVERYTHING
Niacinamide is another skincare hero. This smart form of vitamin B3 does everything. EVERYTHING, I tell you:
- It hydrates skin: It’s more effective than petrolatum at preventing water loss
- It lightens skin: It brihgtens the complexion and reduces dark spots, blotchiness (redness) and sallowness (yellowing)
- It helps reduce wrinkles: Preliminary research shows it can boost the production of skin-firming collagen
- It soothes skin: It alleviates the symptoms of rosacea and irritations
- It treats acne: Its effects are similar to those of 1% clindamycin gel
Told you, it can do everything!
Related: Spotlight on Niacinamide
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ANTIOXIDANTS TO PREVENT PREMATURE AGING
We can’t talk about fighting wrinkles without giving antioxidants their due. These little molecules patrol the body every single day looking for free radicals to destroy. Once they’re neutralized, they can’t form premature wrinkles or give you dark spots. The more antioxidants your skin has, the more free radicals it destroys, the better and slower it ages. This serum has its fair share of antioxidants, including Cloud Berry Seed Oil (a rich source of vitamin C), red algae and cranberry extract.
Related: How Do Antioxidants In Skincare Work?
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice: Aloe is that soothing, cooling gel we all know from sunburn relief. In skincare, it hydrates, calms redness, and gives your skin that “ahhh” feeling when it’s cranky or irritated.
- Aqua (Water): Literally the base of almost every formula. It’s the solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients so the whole thing doesn’t turn into a paste.
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it feels silky on the skin and locks in moisture without being heavy. Think of it as a lightweight moisturizer booster.
- Gluconolactone: A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that gently exfoliates while also hydrating. Perfect if your skin can’t handle strong acids but still needs that glow.
- Carnitine: More famous in supplements, but here it can help regulate excess oil production and keep skin balanced.
- Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract: A natural plant extract often used as a skin-soother and, bonus, sometimes doubles as a preservative.
- Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract: Similar to the other honeysuckle extract, it calms irritation and has natural antimicrobial properties.
- Lecithin: A skin-conditioning agent that makes formulas feel smoother and helps ingredients penetrate better.
- Bisabolol (L-alpha): Found in chamomile, it’s soothing and anti-inflammatory. Great for calming redness or sensitive skin flare-ups.
- Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil: Adds a fresh scent and a touch of antioxidant activity, though citrus oils can be irritating for sensitive skin.
- Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil: Provides fragrance and a little antibacterial benefit. Again, it’s citrus, so some skins love it, others not so much.
- Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil: Bright, zesty fragrance oil that can energize the senses but, like its citrus cousins, may irritate delicate skin.
- Michelia Alba (Magnolia) Flower Oil: A fragrant oil with a calming, floral aroma. It may also have mild antioxidant properties.
- Titanium Dioxide: A mineral that works as a physical UV filter and gives formulas that white, opaque look. In makeup, it’s also used for coverage.
- Tocopheryl Acetate (D-alpha): A stable form of vitamin E. It moisturizes, helps defend against free radicals, and supports skin healing.
- Pentylene Glycol: A humectant that attracts water into the skin and also helps other ingredients spread and absorb better.
- Phenylethyl Resorcinol: A skin-brightening agent that helps fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- Sodium Lactate: Derived from lactic acid, it’s a humectant that draws in water and keeps skin hydrated.
- Glycerin: The OG of humectants. It pulls water into your skin and helps keep it plump, soft, and happy.
- Polysorbate 20: An emulsifier that helps oil and water-based ingredients mix together smoothly.
- Xanthan Gum: A thickener that makes the texture gel-like and keeps everything from separating.
- Cyclodextrin: A stabilizer that can “hold” active ingredients like retinoids and release them slowly so they’re less irritating.
- Alcohol: Usually used to help ingredients penetrate deeper and make formulas feel lighter, but it can be drying if there’s a lot of it.
- Mica: Adds a subtle shimmer or glow, depending on how it’s used. You’ll often see it in brightening or illuminating products.
- Maltodextrin: A sugar-derived stabilizer that can also act as a binding agent in formulas.
- Sodium Benzoate: A preservative that keeps bacteria, mold, and yeast from turning your product into a science experiment.
Texture
Super lightweight and silky, it sinks in fast without leaving any sticky film behind. You don’t have to wait ages before layering the rest of your routine – it disappears into the skin almost instantly but still leaves it feeling soft and hydrated.
Fragrance
Technically, it’s fragrance-free. But it has citrus oils that give it a refreshing scent. The thing is, citrus oils can be sneaky – they smell nice but they can also tick off sensitive skin or make you more sun-reactive. So if your face is the type to freak out over new stuff, just know this could be one of those triggers.
How To Use It
Honestly, it’s easy – just a couple drops after you wash your face, before your moisturizer. Don’t overthink it. Pat it in, let it sink, and you’re good. Nighttime is best since it’s got retinal, and your skin does all the repair work while you sleep. If your skin’s a bit touchy, don’t go in every single night right away. Start a few times a week, see how it feels, and go from there. And yes, I’m gonna sound like a broken record – sunscreen in the morning is a must.
Packaging
A sleek gold and black packaging with a pump applicator. It’s practical and keeps the goodies inside safe from the light and air that would make them go bad faster.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Beautyproof YoungMe Dragon D’Or Super Stimulator is the fanciest serum I’ve ever used: it’s gold! It’s super pretty and makes me feel like a princess every time I use it. 🙂 My skin is used to retinol so I cheated and applied this every night instead of twice a week. Guess what? No irritation! Not even a tiny little flaky patch.
If you’re new to retinol, I still recommend you start slowly. It’s tempting to go overboard with these powerful activates but your skin needs time to get used to them. But with retinaldehyde the transition period should be shorter. My skin is looking very good, too. I don’t have any acne or dark spots to tackle, but I’ve noticed the texture of my skin is getting smoother and the few fine lines around my eyes appear smaller.
I only have one small complaint about this serum. I wish it didn’t have citrus oils like bergamot and grapefruit cos they can cause contact dermatitis in some people. I’m not of them, but I’d thought I’d point it out in case you are.
What I Like About Beautyproof YoungMe Dragone D’Or Super Stimulator
- The texture is silky and sinks in super fast – no stickiness, no waiting forever to layer other products.
- It’s retinaldehyde, so you get retinol-level results but with way less irritation.
- The gold formula looks gorgeous – not gonna lie, it feels extra luxe every time you use it.
- The pump packaging keeps the formula stable and mess-free (no air or light ruining the actives).
- My skin looked smoother and those little fine lines softened without any flaking or redness.
What I DON’T Like About Beautyproof YoungMe Dragone D’Or Super Stimulator
- It’s got citrus oils (bergamot, grapefruit) – they smell nice but can irritate sensitive skin or make it more reactive to the sun.
- Definitely a splurge product. It’s fancy, but your wallet will feel it.
- If you’re totally new to retinoids, you still need to ease in slowly – don’t expect instant overnight magic.
Who Should Use It?
- Anyone who wants retinol results (smoother skin, fewer fine lines, more even texture) but struggles with irritation from stronger formulas.
- If your skin’s already used to retinoids, this is a nice upgrade – powerful but still gentle enough for nightly use.
- Not the best pick if your skin is super sensitive, reactive to citrus oils, or you’re brand new to actives – you might want to start with something gentler first.
Does Beautyproof YoungMe Dragon D’Or Super Stimulator Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| The retinaldehyde and niacinamide in Dragōne D’Or® Super Stimulator provide outstanding skin lightening and brightening results. | It can brighten skin, but I wouldn’t call the results outstanding. If you have severe, old hyperpigmentation, you’re still better off with arbutin or prescription hydroquinone. |
| In addition Dragōne D’Or® Super Stimulator treats lines, sallowness and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. | True. But again, it takes months to see significant results. |
| Proven to have less harsh side effects than prescription Retin-A, with equal efficacy. | It’s less effective, but gentler. |
Price & Availability
$87.00 at Beautyproof
Do You Need It?
If you’d like to try retinaldehyde, this is a good product to consider.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Gluconolactone, Carnitine (L), Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloud Berry) Seed Oil, Retinal (Retinaldehyde), Porphyra Umbilicalis (Red Algae) Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lecithin, Bisabolol (L-alpha), Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Michelia Alba (Magnolia) Flower Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopheryl Acetate (D-alpha), Pentylene Glycol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Sodium Lactate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Cyclodextrin, Alcohol, Mica, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
