CEL™ RETINAL SERUM
A night serum with 0.15% encapsulated, slow-release retinal and the patent-pending CEL™ Complex. It helps smooth wrinkles, refine skin texture, boost radiance and support firmness, while remaining highly tolerable, even for sensitive skin.
30 ml
from £45
4–5 days
At night, on slightly damp skin. New to retinoids? Use every other night for the first 3 weeks. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
DESCRIPTION
Why you need this serum:
With this serum, Skin Diligent is optimising skin ageing to the next level. Combining the power of encapsulated retinal with a breakthrough epigenetic bioactive complex, it does more than just refining skin’s surface, it targets the very mechanisms of cellular longevity, working from within to slow down the ageing process. Formulated to optimise cellular behaviour, CEL™ Retinal works at the heart of the skin to extend its youthful potential.
Why this serum is different:
At the intersection of performance and tolerance, CEL™ Retinal Serum combines a next-generation retinoid with our breakthrough CEL™ complex - to visibly transform the skin while slowing down how it ages. High performance.
- 0.15% slow-release encapsulated retinal - ensures progressive release, enhanced stability, 11x more powerful than retinol.
- 20% of the CEL™ complex (Cellular Epigenetic Longevity) - targets 10 fundamental mechanisms of ageing.
It supercharges collagen from 3 pathways:
- Inhibits the collagenase (the enzymes that damage the collagen, therefore protects the native collagen).
- boosts production of collagen types I and III.
- boosts production of pro-collagen.
On the skin, these mechanisms translate as:
- Reduced wrinkles and fine lines
- Improved skin radiance
- Refined skin texture
- Reduced pore size
- Unified skin tone
An ultra-light texture, an instant satin-finish serum that absorbs quickly, leaves no residue, and is non-greasy.
Bonus: This is an ultra-clean formula without compromise - 100% fragrance-free and preservative-free. Hormone-disruptor tested. One of the rare retinoid products suitable for sensitive skin. It can even be combined with microneedling for amazing results.
- For all skin types, all genders, for targeting signs of ageing. For acne-prone skin, the product is suitable for teens.
- 98.8% natural.
- Tested free of estrogenic and androgenic endocrine disruptions.
- Retinoids including retinal are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Ultra-light texture, golden serum with instant satin finish that absorbs fast, non-marking, non-greasy.
- Use nightly (alternate nights if new to retinoids). Always follow with SPF in the daytime.
HOW TO USE
Apply at night on slightly moist skin.
As part of Skin Diligent night system:
1. Cleanse the face with Triple Action Cleanser. If you wear eye makeup, remove eye makeup with a gentle oil like jojoba oil.
2. On slightly moist skin, apply 3-5 drops of CEL Retinal Serum. Wait 1 min.
3. Apply Exosome Advanced Night Cream, massaging gently.
INGREDIENTS / INCI
Aqua, Propanediol, Dimethyl isosorbide, Glycerin, C9-12 alkane (vegetal origin), Sorbitol, Decyl glucoside, Protium heptaphyllum resin, Caesalpinia sappan extract, Coco glucoside, Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, Hydrolyzed moringa oleifera seed extract, Adansonia digitata pulp extract, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba gum, Acacia senegal gum, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Sodium citrate, Retinal, Xanthan gum, Ascorbyl palmitate, Sodium benzoate.
Free of parfum
Free of preservatives
PACKAGING
The glass bottle and the dropper to be recycled. Cardboard packaging, FSC paper to be recycled.
RETINAL VS RETINOL: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Retinal is one step closer to its active form than retinol, allowing it to act more directly on signs of ageing. Our CEL™ Retinal Serum combines 0.15% encapsulated retinal for gradual release with the patent-pending CEL™ Complex, for effective age-defying action, even on sensitive skin.
FOR SKIN THAT HAS NEVER TOLERATED RETINOL.
Its encapsulated retinal is gradually released to smooth fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin tolerance, even for sensitive skin.
PROVEN TO HELP SKIN STAY YOUNGER FOR LONGER.
The CEL™ Complex acts at the cellular level on mechanisms linked to ageing, helping skin stay firmer, smoother and more resilient over time.
MADE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN.
Tested on 20 women aged 35 to 60, all with sensitive skin, over 56 days.
VISIBLE RESULTS, DERMATOLOGICALLY TESTED
skin is smoother, firmer and more even
skin quality improves day after day
skin looks visibly younger
skin is healthier after using the serum
* Clinical study - 56 days - 20 women (35 to 60 years old) - 1 application every other night for first 3 weeks, then every night – all sensitive skin.
HOW TO USE IT IN YOUR NIGHT ROUTINE
The CEL™ Retinal Serum is step 2 of the Skin Diligent night routine.
01 · Cleanse. Massage a small amount of Triple Action Cleanser onto damp skin for 20 seconds, then rinse.
02 · Treat. Shake the bottle, then apply 3 to 5 drops of CEL™ Retinal Serum to slightly damp skin. Wait 1 minute.
03 · Nourish. Finish with Exosome Advanced Night Cream, massaging gently.
Getting started: new to retinoids? Use the serum every other night for the first 3 weeks, then every night as tolerated. Always wear sunscreen in the morning.
WHAT’S INSIDE THE CEL™ RETINAL SERUM
CEL™ COMPLEX
Cellular Epigenetic Longevity: a proprietary bioactive complex of botanical biotech extracts, peptides and exosomes. Extends cellular health, slows skin ageing and delays senescence. Helps preserve skin vitality, resilience and a more youthful appearance over time.
ENCAPSULATED RETINAL
Retinal is 11× more effective than retinol. Ours is encapsulated to allow for gradual release and improved stability, helping to support good skin tolerance, even for sensitive skin. This encapsulation also helps protect the molecule from oxidation and optimise its bioavailability, for enhanced efficacy with minimal sensitivity.
ADDRESSES ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS PEOPLE STOP USING RETINAL
Independently tested on 20 women with sensitive skin. Excellent tolerance.
WE TEST WHAT ALMOST NO ONE TESTS.
Chemicals can behave differently together than alone. It is called the cocktail effect. So we test the finished formula, not single ingredients.
Tested free of estrogenic and androgenic endocrine disruptions.
CEL™ RETINAL SERUM FAQ
What is the difference between retinol and retinal?
Retinal is a more advanced derivative of vitamin A in the conversion chain: it requires only one enzymatic transformation to become active (compared to two for retinol), making it more powerful and effective than retinol, while reducing the risk of irritation.
Does the CEL™ Retinal Serum cause irritation or “retinol burn”?
No. The CEL™ Retinal Serum does not cause “retinol burn” - the burning sensations, redness or peeling often associated with traditional retinoids.
Thanks to its slow-release encapsulated retinal and CEL™ Complex (Cellular Epigenetic Longevity Complex), it works deep within the skin without causing irritation. Its tolerance has been tested on sensitive skin, making it perfectly suitable for those who have previously reacted to conventional retinols.
We recommend the application of a light night cream like Skin Diligent Exosome Advanced Night Cream to help with the moisturisation at night. Avoid thick rich creams.
Why encapsulate the retinal in a botanical resin ?
Encapsulation in natural Protium heptaphyllum resin acts as a plant shield that:
- protects the molecule from oxidation and instability
- allows for gradual release into the skin
- reduces the risk of irritation, even on sensitive skin.
Is it suitable for all skin types ?
Yes. Thanks to its encapsulation technology and combination with CEL™ Complex, the serum is designed to offer optimal tolerance, even on sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Can I use during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
No, as with all retinoids, retinal (and its derivatives) is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although CEL Retinal has been tested free of estrogenic and androgenic endocrine disruptions, the accumulation of vitamin A, such as retinoids, has a risk of teratogenicity.
I am in my teens, can I use this serum?
This product is formulated for those who start showing signs of ageing. For teens, we would only recommend as a course of treatment for acne-prone skin.
