If you’ve been scrolling through Glamfox Double Effect Retinol And Collagen serum reviews and wondering if it’s actually worth your money, let’s break it down. On the label, it sounds like a dream combo: retinol to smooth lines, collagen to keep skin bouncy, and a bunch of hydrators to stop you from drying out. But skincare labels always sound like magic. The real question is: does it actually do anything once it hits your face? Let’s find out:
Key Ingredients In Glamfox Double Effect Retinol And Collagen Serum: What Makes It Work?
RETINYL PALMITATE
This is the “retinol” they’re hyping on the label, but let’s not kid ourselves – it’s the baby cousin of real retinol. Retinyl palmitate is basically retinol tied up with a fatty acid (palmitic acid). Your skin can’t use it straight away; it has to jump through three hoops first:
Retinyl Palmitate → Retinol → Retinaldehyde → Retinoic Acid.
That last one (retinoic acid) is the actual boss that tells your skin to make more collagen and shed old cells faster. Every conversion step = less potency. That’s why derms rarely hype retinyl palmitate for serious anti-aging. But – and it’s a decent “but” – almost 3,000 ppm is more than you usually see. So even though it’s weak, with consistent use you can get a bit of smoother texture, some brightening, and a very mild collagen boost over time. It’s not going to erase wrinkles, but it’s gentle, won’t peel your face off, and is safe if your skin throws tantrums at stronger retinoids. Basically: I only recommend it for very sensitive skin that can’t tolerate other forms of retinoids.
Related: Which Form Of Retinoids Should YOU Use?
SOIDUM HYALURONATE
This one’s all about instant gratification. Sodium hyaluronate is the smaller, salt form of hyaluronic acid – which means it sinks into skin better and works like a sponge pulling in water. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, which is why your skin looks plumper and fresher as soon as you apply it. Here’s the catch: it’s temporary. The fine lines look softer because they’re puffed up with water, not because the serum is rebuilding anything deeper. Still, hydration makes everything look healthier and more radiant, and that’s why every brand loves to toss it into their “anti-aging” formulas. It doesn’t treat wrinkles, but it sure makes them look less obvious in the short term.
Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Hyaluronic Acid
HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN
Now, about the “collagen” in the name. Here’s the truth: collagen in a serum doesn’t magically become collagen in your skin. The molecules are way too big to get past the surface. That’s why they “hydrolyze” it – chop it down into smaller fragments so it can at least sit on top and hold onto water. What that means for you: hydrolyzed collagen works more like a hydrator than an anti-aging miracle. It helps your skin feel smoother, more supple, and a little plumper because it’s locking in moisture. Nice, but don’t buy this serum thinking it’s rebuilding your skin’s collagen network. It’s a marketing flex more than a game-changer.
Related: Can Collagen Drinks Fade Away Wrinkles?
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
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?!
- Water: The base of pretty much every serum. It’s there to dissolve ingredients and keep the texture lightweight. Nothing fancy, but it’s what makes this feel like a serum instead of an oil.
- Butylene Glycol: A humectant (aka water magnet) that helps keep skin hydrated. It also makes the formula spread more easily and boosts penetration of the other active ingredients.
- Glycerin: The OG hydrator. It pulls water into the top layers of your skin and keeps it there, giving that soft, cushiony feel. Super reliable and barrier-friendly.
- Dimethicone: A silicone that gives this serum its silky slip. It also creates a breathable film over your skin that traps hydration in and smooths over rough patches, so fine lines look blurred instantly (temporary, but nice).
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: A lightweight oil derived from coconut oil and glycerin. It’s non-greasy, softens the skin, and makes the formula feel more nourishing.
- 1,2-Hexanediol: A multitasker that keeps the formula fresh by boosting preservatives, but also works as a skin-conditioning agent so it doesn’t just sit there like a filler.
- Cetearyl Olivate & Sorbitan Olivate: Emulsifiers made from olive oil. They keep the water and oils blended together, but also add a touch of moisturization so the serum feels creamy instead of watery.
- Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer: A texture stabilizer. Basically, this is what makes the serum feel smooth and gel-like instead of runny.
- Ceteareth-20: Another emulsifier. Doesn’t add much skincare benefit, but makes sure the formula doesn’t separate.
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil: A nourishing plant oil high in linoleic acid and vitamin E. Great for barrier repair and reducing water loss, but lightweight enough not to feel greasy.
- Isohexadecane: A synthetic emollient that gives formulas that “weightless” feel. Helps balance out heavier oils so the serum doesn’t turn into a slick mess.
- Polysorbate 80: Solubilizer that helps mix oil-based ingredients (like Vitamin E and fragrance) into the water base. Not exciting, but necessary.
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil: Jojoba oil is unique because its structure is very similar to human sebum. That means it balances oil production, softens skin, and helps with barrier function without clogging pores.
- Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Argan Oil): A rich oil packed with fatty acids and vitamin E. Known for softening skin, giving it that smooth, conditioned feel, and adding extra antioxidant protection.
- Allantoin: A classic soothing agent. Helps calm redness and irritation while also promoting gentle skin repair. Another smart inclusion with retinoids.
- Hydrogenated Polyisobutene: A synthetic emollient that mimics mineral oil in texture but feels lighter. It locks in hydration and gives that cushiony skin feel.
- Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil & Husk Oil: Both forms of olive oil, rich in antioxidants and fatty acids. They moisturize and protect, but can feel heavy for some skin types.
- Perfume (Fragrance): Makes it smell nice, but can be irritating if you’re sensitive. A bit of a risky addition in an otherwise gentle formula.
- Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil: Another antioxidant-rich oil. Soy is often used for its protective benefits against free radicals and its barrier-supporting fatty acids.
- Ethylhexylglycerin: A preservative booster that also lightly conditions skin. It makes the formula more effective at staying fresh without using harsher preservatives.
- Disodium EDTA: A stabilizer that prevents minerals in water (like calcium or magnesium) from messing with the formula. Keeps the serum effective longer.
- Bixa Orellana Seed Oil: Rich in carotenoids (like beta-carotene), which act as antioxidants. It’s also used as a natural colorant in formulas.
- Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract: A traditional herbal extract used in Asian medicine. Some early research suggests antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but in skincare, it’s mostly a supporting player.
- Citronellol: A fragrance component (naturally found in rose and geranium oils). It can smell pleasant, but it’s also a common allergen in sensitive skin.
Texture
A ightweight and silky hydrating essence, thanks to the silicone base. It spreads easily and leaves a slightly dewy finish, not sticky or greasy. Feels like a hydrating serum more than a hardcore retinol treatment.
Fragrance
Not in-your-face perfume-y, but there’s definitely a light floral note going on. If you’re chill with scented products, it’ll probably just come across as a faint whiff that fades once it’s on your skin. Nothing that’ll linger like a body spray. But if your skin tends to flip out at fragrance, this is something to flag. Because honestly? Fragrance in skincare doesn’t do anything for your skin – it’s just there so the product smells “nice.” Which is fine, unless your face is the type that gets itchy and blotchy at the first hint of it.
How To Use It
Think of this as a nighttime-only step. Retinoids and sunlight don’t mix – UV light basically deactivates them, and on top of that, they make your skin more vulnerable to sun damage. Here’s how to work it in:
- After cleansing, pat your skin dry.
- Pump out a small amount (seriously, you don’t need half a dropper).
- Smooth it over your face before moisturizer.
- If you’re brand-new to retinoids, don’t get cocky – start two to three nights a week. Let your skin warm up to it before you go daily.
- And absolutely, 100%, no-excuses: wear a hydrating sunscreen in the morning. Without SPF, you’re undoing every single benefit this serum might give you.
Pro tip: if you have reactive or dry skin, try the “sandwich” method – moisturizer first, serum in the middle, another layer of moisturizer on top. It cushions the retinoid without killing its effect.
Packaging
This comes in a pump, which is honestly the best option for anything with retinoids. Open jars are a nightmare because light and air break retinoids down faster. With a pump, you’re limiting that exposure every time you use it. Now, to be fair, retinyl palmitate (the version of retinol in here) is a lot more stable than pure retinol. It doesn’t freak out as easily when it sees light or oxygen. But still – the pump packaging keeps things fresher and also way more hygienic (which is great, because this form is already very weak). You don’t have to stick your fingers in a jar every night, which is always a win. The only downside? If you’re the type who likes to see exactly how much product you have left, pumps can be a little annoying since you’re basically guessing until one day it just stops working.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Let’s be real: this serum isn’t a heavy hitter. The first thing you notice when you put it on is how hydrating and silky it feels. That’s the mix of humectants (like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate) pulling in water and silicones like dimethicone laying down that smooth film. Your skin instantly feels softer, a little plumper, and makeup goes on more evenly after – which is nice, but that’s just surface-level.
Give it a couple of weeks of regular use and you might start to see some changes: slightly more even texture, a bit more radiance, maybe fine lines looking less harsh. But here’s the key – that’s not because this serum is rebuilding collagen deep down. Retinyl palmitate just isn’t strong enough for that. What this serum really does well is combine that gentle retinoid with a bunch of barrier-supporting and soothing extras – panthenol, allantoin, adenosine, jojoba oil. That’s why it feels comfortable and non-irritating even if your skin is usually fussy with actives. It’s almost like “retinol-lite with training wheels.” Perfect if you’re dipping your toes into anti-aging or you’ve tried stronger retinoids and hated the peeling, dryness, and red patches.
On the flip side, if you’re already on team retinol or tretinoin, this will be a big downgrade. You’ll get hydration, sure, and your skin will look a little fresher thanks to the hyaluronic acid plumping things up short-term. But in terms of real wrinkle reduction or collagen stimulation? You’re not going to see dramatic results here.
What I Like About Glamfox Double Effect Retinol and Collagen Serum
- Beginner-friendly retinol derivative that won’t wreck your skin barrier.
- Hydrating and soothing extras like panthenol, allantoin, and hyaluronic acid.
- Lightweight texture, layers easily under moisturizer.
- Pump packaging keeps formula more stable.
What I DON’T Like About Glamfox Double Effect Retinol and Collagen Serum
- Retinyl palmitate is weak – don’t expect dramatic anti-aging results.
- Fragrance could be irritating for sensitive skin.
- Collagen doesn’t actually rebuild collagen in your skin, it just hydrates on the surface.
- Lots of oils that may not suit acne-prone skin.
Who Should Use This?
- If you’ve never touched a retinoid before and the idea of peeling, flaking, and hiding from daylight freaks you out – this is a safe place to start. It’s weak, yes, but that’s kind of the point. You get the idea of retinol without the usual “my face is on fire” phase.
- It’s also a good pick if your skin is on the sensitive side. The formula is packed with hydrators and soothing ingredients (panthenol, allantoin, adenosine) that keep it feeling comfy, so you’re not stuck with angry, tight skin after two uses.
- But if you’re already using retinol, retinal, or tretinoin? This is going to feel like child’s play. You’ll notice the hydration, sure, but don’t expect wrinkle-smoothing magic – it’s just not built for that.
- And one more thing: if you’re acne-prone, all the extra oils plus the added fragrance might not be your best friend. Could clog, could irritate.
Does Glamfox Double Effect Retinol and Collagen Serum Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| A transformative serum with a potent concentration of retinol and collagen to help reduce fine lines, even out skin tone. | Not true. It doesn’t contain retinol at all. Ir has a derivative and I wouldn’t say it’s in a potent concentration. It can help reduce fine lines by temporarily plumping them up, but not much more. |
Price & Availability
£22.99 at Amazon
The Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you’re retinol-curious but terrified of your face peeling off, this serum is a soft entry point. It’s comfy, it hydrates, and it won’t leave you red and flaky. You’ll get smoother skin and maybe a bit of glow if you stick with it. But let’s not sugarcoat it: retinyl palmitate is weak. If you want real wrinkle-fading, pore-tightening, collagen-building action, this isn’t going to cut it. Think of it more as a “hydrating serum with a sprinkle of retinoid” than a hardcore anti-aging treatment. So buy it if you’re new, sensitive, or just want something gentle. Skip it if you’re already on retinol, retinal, or tretinoin – you won’t notice much beyond the hydration.
Water, Butylene Glycol,Glycerin, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride,1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Panthenol, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodiurn Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ceteareth-20, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Isohexadecane, Retinyl Palmitate (2,970ppm), Sodium Hyaluronate, Polysorbate 80, Tocopheryl Acetate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Allantoin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Perfume, Adenosine, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, DisodiumEDTA, Olea Europaea (Olive) Husk Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen(5oppm), Tocopherol, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Citronellol
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.
