Do you like retinol, but you want to make it more effective? Meet Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule, one of three new Skin1004 ampoules from the Lab in Nature series. It combines Retinol, Retinal and Squalane with microspicules - one of the trendiest ingredients in skincare lately.
What's the difference between Retinol, Retinal and Retinyl esters?
Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule contains Retinol & Retinal. There are different forms of retinoids in skincare. Some are available for everyone, and some are available only if you have a prescription.
Retinyl esters like Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate and Retinyl Propionate are the weakest forms of Vitamin A, and at the same time, they take more time to see the results, but the good thing is that they are very gentle for the skin. It takes them more time to work since they need to do a 3-step journey to work - this group converts to retinol, then retinaldehyde, and then retinoic acid.
Retinol is a bit stronger than esters, but it can be more irritating for the skin. It works a bit faster since it only needs to convert to retinaldehyde and retinoic acid. Retinal is stronger than retinol since it's one step away from retinoic acid. It works faster and can be more irritating to the skin. The strongest substance is retinoic acid, which is a prescription-only substance. It works fast, but it's more irritating than products you can find at stores. Still, all the products related to Vitamin A need special care.
There's also a substance called bio-retinol or phyto retinol, and its name is Bakuchiol. It's not related to retinoids at all. It's derived from the seed and leaves of Psoralea Corylifolia, also known as Babchi. Bakuchiol is usually compared to retinol due to its properties - it helps with acne and aging (wrinkles and fine lines), but it also has anti-inflammatory properties. Bakuchiol is suitable for sensitive skin, and it doesn't need a slow introduction to your routine, but it's quite a new ingredient, and our knowledge of this ingredient is limited. Still, some companies use it or even mix it with retinol.
Lots of websites I read introduced Bakuchiol as a product that is suitable for people who like to sunbathe - I would still recommend using sunscreen while using Bakuchiol, since sunscreen protects the skin from UV radiation and side effects related to it, like free radical damage.
How to start using Retinol or Retinal?
Introducing retinol or retinal to your skincare should be slow. First of all, choose the right product. I used retinol before (I used Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum/Ampoule - depends where you live, the concentration of this retinol serum is 500IU - around 0.015%) in smaller amounts, so my skin was prepared for a change. I recommend starting with smaller amounts and weaker forms - start with retinol in 0,3% or 0,5% concentration. It's good to introduce retinol to your routine slowly, like using it once a week and then more often. We need to build so-called "skin tolerance" to this ingredient. So, the key points are low concentration and a slow introduction.
Read more: Innisfree Retinol Cica Moisture Recovery Serum
The next thing we need to remember is sunscreen! When you use retinol, retinal or products based on retinoic acid - sunscreen is a must. These substances make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. I know that many people think that you can't use retinoids during summer - you can, but you have to remember about sunscreen reapplication, and it's good to wear glasses, a hat or an umbrella. But sunscreen is not all - your skincare has to be focused on moisturizing and calming, since retinoids can be irritating to the skin. Some people introduce these products to their skincare routines slowly and use the "sandwich method".
I use retinol, and my skin started to get worse. Retinoids are active ingredients, and usually, using active ingredients equals purging. This process usually takes about 28 days - as long as the skin cell turnover cycle. That's a natural part of the process.
What age is right for retinol?
I have no idea why people think that retinol or retinoids in general are only for adults. Many prescription-only products based on retinoids are recommended for teens, like Differin - it's based on adapalene, and even I, as a teenager, got it from my derm. The only bad thing about it was the fact that back then, no one told me about sunscreen and its slow introduction.
Can I use retinoids during pregnancy?
Retinol and retinoids in general are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Retinoids have teratogenic effects on embryos, and they might cause birth defects. There is even a term for these defects in babies, it's called Fetal Retinoid Syndrome. If you plan to get pregnant, it's good to remove retinoids from your skincare earlier and switch to other ingredients. There is information that Bakuchiol is safe during pregnancy since it's a plant-derived ingredient, but I would be careful since we still lack research on this topic.
In Poland, when your dermatologist prescribes you Accutane (here it's sold under the name isotretinoin), which is an oral retinoid used to treat acne, you have to sign a paper that you won't get pregnant and take contraceptive pills. I'm not sure if this has changed, but I believe it probably didn't.
Can I use retinol on sensitive skin?
Yes, retinol can be used on sensitive skin, but you have to build tolerance and introduce it slowly to your routine. According to the brand, Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule is a low-irritation serum, still, if you're new to retinol, start with something that's focused on active ingredients like Innisfree or just start using this product slowly or even only as a spot treatment.
Can I combine retinol with other ingredients?
Yes! After the introduction of retinol or retinal to your skincare, you can experiment and mix other ingredients with it. I heard so many times that retinol can't be used with Vitamin C, but actually, even estheticians use treatments like Retix C, which is a combination of 4% retinol and 8% vitamin C. If you're experienced with retinol, then using Vitamin C during the morning and retinol during the evening might be a good choice for you. Primera AG.VCN™ Youth Radiance Vitatinol Serum is a good start since it's a low % retinol and two forms of vitamin C combined.
Read more: Primera AG.VCN™ Youth Radiance Vitatinol Serum
If you're new, then mix retinol with ceramides or hyaluronic acid to provide the skin with the moisture it needs. You can try using antioxidants as well.
If it comes to acid, remember that acids and retinoids help you lift dead skin cells. I wouldn't test on sensitive skin or beginner skin using acid + retinol, but if your skin is experienced, then combining both can give you even better effects. Still, it's something I would not recommend for beginners or even advanced retinol users if you don't know retinoids and acids well. Sometimes, a long and slow run is better than running fast. Too many activities can be too much for the skin.
What about skin cycling?
Skin cycling is a trend which I haven't tried, and the majority of my esthetician friends hadn't heard of it before it became a TikTok trend. Skin cycling is a trend based on a 4-day cycle. It's a way of using retinol, which is supposed to keep your skin barrier healthy. On the first night, you focus on exfoliation, 2nd night is for retinol, and the last two nights are for repairing the skin barrier. I haven't tried this method, and I'm not sure if I would try it.
What about the sandwich method?
The sandwich method is the method I used to introduce HSGN Retinally Liposomal Retinal Cream to my routine. Imagine that you have two slices of bread - in this case, your bread is a moisturizer, and you want to put cheese inside. Instead of cheese, we put retinol into these two slices of moisturizer.
Read more about: HSGN Retinally Liposomal Retinal Cream
What's the perfect skincare routine with retinol?
The perfect routine involves using sunscreen in the morning and reapplying it in the evening. It's also important to use lots of hydrating and repairing ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and Centella. It's also good to choose delicate formulas with no scent ingredients—at least my skin can be very sensitive to scent ingredients in skincare products when I use retinoids.
Brand introduction: Skin1004
Although the name of each Skin1004 product has "Madagascar" in the name, it's not a brand from Madagascar. Skin1004 is a Korean brand, but the inspiration for the brand came from nature. Skin1004 focused on every product created by the brand on Centella Asiatica from Madagascar. Does it matter where the Centella came from? Yes, the environment in which Centella grew can make a difference, and Madagascar's Centella is rich in four compounds which, in my opinion, are mostly useful for my skin (and yours too!) - madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid and Asiatic acid. Skin1004 is free from artificial pigments. Every time we talk about Centella, we talk about Cica, but Skin1004 is focused on TECA, aka Titrated Extract of Centella Asiatica - asiaticoside, madecassic acid and asiatic acid.
The name of the brand is clever. Skin1004 sounds like Skin 천사. 천사 is a homophone - a word that sounds the same but has two different meanings. 천사 means 1004, and it also means angel. It means that Skin1004 is a true guardian of your skin. The brand wants to give your skin the best ingredients that are pure like angels. Skin1004 products are cruelty-free & vegan-friendly, and all sunscreens are reef-safe.
In 2025, Skin1004 released the Lab in Nature line. There are three new serums: Niacinamide 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule, Matrixyl 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule and Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule. This line combines natural ingredients with innovative technologies. It's more advanced since it combines Matrixyl, Retinal and Hydrolyzed Spicules.
Why is Centella good for your skin?
If I were ever to tell you that Centella Asiatica belongs to the Apiaceae family and it's related to celery, you would probably never believe me. But that's a fact! Centella is a herb with a long tradition and few nicknames. You probably heard names such as tiger grass or Gotu kola, but Asiatic pennywort might be new to you. This plant grows in many beautiful places like India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and Madagascar. This plant loves a humid climate. Centella has a wide use - from herbal medicine to culinary. I believe at this point you expect me to say "It's a hanbang ingredient", but Centella's roots are in Ayurveda, and in many African and Asian countries, Centella has been a folk remedy for ages. Its main use as a folk remedy is to boost your brain as well as to help with anxiety, stomach issues, hepatitis and inflammation of the urinary tract. Centella has wide use in skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis or vitiligo.
We should ask one important question: why is Centella so popular in skincare? To find that out, we should look deeper into Centella. This plant contains substances called " triterpene saponins" - bioactive compounds of many plants. Centella has many of them, but we mostly talk about four different triterpene saponins in skincare: madecassoside, asiaticoside, madecassic acid and Asiatic acid. Depending on the place where the Centella comes from, the number of different triterpene saponins might be a bit different. Madagascar Centella used by Skin1004 is mostly full of these four ingredients I mentioned before. Centella in skincare has many positive effects. If you've got acne-prone skin, you should choose Centella over, for example, Arbutin. While many of us use strong products to fight pigmentation after a pimple, usually we choose products to fight PIH - post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. That's a mistake because post-acne pigmentation and scars are not PIH, but PIE - post-inflammatory erythema. PIH and PIE are not the same, and how do you treat irritated skin? Not by irritating it more, but instead, we are focusing on calming the skin. Centella is a powerful healing ingredient - it speeds up wound healing. It stimulates collagen production, which has positive effects on scars and wrinkles. It strengthens the blood vessels in the skin, which is why it might help with visible blood vessels - especially if your skin is thin, you might want to add Centella to your skincare.
Centella is not all about skincare, but hair care and body care - it stimulates hair growth and fights cellulite. Using Centella after pregnancy is a clever move!
Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule - Packaging
Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule packaging looks like art. I always enjoyed Skin1004 products since it has some natural elements that were related to Madagascar or ingredients that were the main focus of the series. Skin1004 keeps the minimalistic look. The packaging is made out of paper. It opens fully on the back. It reminds me a bit of origami. Inside the box, you can spot a glass bottle. It feels a bit heavy, the glass is pretty solid, and the pipette is quite good.
Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule - Texture & Scent
Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule is an unscented ampoule. Since it's a retinol + retinal solution, it has a yellow shade (like the majority of retinols). The texture is quite thick, and sometimes you might have problems getting it out of the packaging, but it spreads so easily on the skin. A small drop is enough to cover the entire face. Just remember that this product tingles.
Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule - Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Squalane, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Retinol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Tromethamine, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Retinal, Hydrolyzed Sponge, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Madecassoside, Centella Asiatica Extract
Water is often hidden in cosmetic products under names such as "Aqua" or "Eau". It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. Water in skin care products must meet specific standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms, or other substances. Typically, water constitutes the majority of the product's content. Glycerin or Glycerol is a humectant. Depending on the product, its origin can be natural or synthetic. It protects TEWL (transepidermal water loss), which naturally occurs in the skin. It's one of the NMFs and a natural moisturizing factor. It's practical in hair care. Glycerin won't clog your skin or irritate it—just the opposite—it protects your skin from irritation.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative. It protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin and has no unpleasant effects on the epidermis. Olivem 1000 is a combination of Cetearyl Olivate and Sorbitan Olivate. It's a natural emulsifier, and beauty companies use it to create an oil-in-water emulsion. Worth mentioning, it's a biodegradable formula.
Squalane is an ingredient very similar to our sebum. Squalane and squalene sound identical, but there's a difference. Squalane has no double bonds, while squalene has double bonds. What does it mean? Squalane is a more stable version of squalene. What I love about this ingredient is how well it works with all skin types and how our skin needs it. Believe me, if your skin is irritated, go for squalane! This ingredient is usually derived from sugarcane or olives. It acts like an emollient, and you need it in your life. Carbomer is a synthetic thickener.
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A. Sometimes, you can see that brands use the term "pure retinol" instead of just "retinol", but it's the same thing. Retinol is an OTC (over-the-counter) retinoid, which means that you don't need a prescription to use it (an example of a prescribed retinoid is Tretinoin - an all-trans retinoic acid). Retinol has many positive effects on skin - it helps with fine lines and wrinkles, acne and blemishes and even skin elasticity. It speeds up the keratinization process, which is a process of creating new skin cells. Retinol is an antioxidant that fights free radical damage. It stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis. Retinol is a magical ingredient and lately, it became very common in skincare, but we have to remember that retinol needs to convert to retinoic acid, so it has to go through two-step oxidation process (retinol to retinaldehyde and then retinoic acid), because of that retinol is milder for the skin than all-trans retinoic acid, but it also works weaker. We have to remember that everyone has different sensitivity to retinol and that retinol is a big no-no during pregnancy or applied on open wounds. We can mix it with other ingredients, but be careful of mixing Retinol and Vitamin C in one routine.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a combination of coconut oil and glycerin. It's a notable emollient that is quite common in skincare. It leaves a protective film on the surface of the epidermis to save your cutis from dehydration. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride has a significant role in skin care products - it makes the application process effortless. Some people might experience pore-clogging after using Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, but pore-clogging and skin reactions to ingredients are individual. What works for you might not work for someone else.
Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract or Sea Buckthorn Fruit Extract is an ingredient rich in vitamin C and lycopene. It might have antioxidant properties. Tromethamine is a synthetic pH adjuster. Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Extract or Mung Bean Extract. Mung bean has been used for beauty purposes even during the Joseon period in Korea. Mung beans are a great ingredient for pore care, whitening, moisturizing, or even cooling the skin. Hydrogenated Lecithin is a version of lecithin. It works as an emollient in the formulas. Inulin Lauryl Carbamate is an emulsifier.
Sodium Polyacrylate is a thickener with a strong ability to absorb water. It helps with texture, and it can create film on the skin to prevent TEWL (transepidermal water loss). Retinal or Retinaldehyde is a form of Vitamin A. Retinol turns straight into retinoic acid, which makes it stronger than retinol. It helps with fine lines and wrinkles, acne and blemishes or even skin elasticity. It speeds up the keratinization process, which is a process of creating new skin cells. It stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis. It should be used during pregnancy. It's more powerful than retinol and just like retinol, retinal needs a slow introduction to your skincare routine.
Hydrolyzed Sponge or Spongilla spicules is a microparticle derived from a marine sponge. It's a natural exfoliator, but brands use it as an ingredient that boosts the absorption of skincare products. Adenosine naturally occurs in the skin. One of the roles of adenosine in the body is that of a neurotransmitter. In skin care, we use adenosine for its anti-wrinkle properties. Adenosine is an anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can boost collagen production. At the same time, it speeds up the healing process. Adenosine can have positive effects on reducing redness. In hair care, adenosine can help with hair loss.
Sodium Hyaluronate or sodium salt of hyaluronic acid. It's a form of hyaluronic acid and naturally occurs in the skin. Sodium Hyaluronate has strong water-binding properties. Sodium hyaluronate, combined with elastin and collagen, is like a scaffolding for the skin. It has hydrating properties and leaves a hydrating film on the skin, but sodium hyaluronate prevents skincare products from drying. Disodium EDTA neutralizes metal ions in the formula to keep products fresh.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a form of Vitamin E, Tocopherol. It's an antioxidant that helps with skin & hair hydration and prevents TEWL (transepidermal water loss). This ester form of Tocopherol is more stable, but it's not as effective. Some people consider it a preservative, but Vitamin E should not be used as a preservative. It's good to mix it with Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid. Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate is a preservative with antioxidant properties. Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative with subtle moisturizing and antimicrobial properties. Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract is a source of camphor, pinene, terpineol and rosmarinic acid. It's an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It boosts hair growth and calms the scalp.
Panthenol is a humectant. It prevents skin from TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5, and it helps with inflammation. Panthenol can soothe the skin irritated by preservatives, scent ingredients, and chemical sunscreens - it might have a meaning for lipids in our skin and skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. It's good to use it after sunbathing. In hair care, Panthenol has moisturizing properties. If you have problems detangling your hair or hair growth, go for Panthenol. It is good to mix it with niacinamide and zinc oxide. You can see it in products for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Madecassoside is a bioactive part of Centella Asiatica. It's an antioxidant and can stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis to promote wound healing. It has soothing effects, and it might have anti-aging properties if we combine it with vitamin C.
Centella Asiatica Extract is probably the most popular extract in skincare. It comes under a few names - Asiatic pennywort, tiger grass or Gotu kola. Centella Asiatica's roots are in Ayurveda. This extract is successful because it's a source of triterpene saponins - madecassoside and asiaticoside. Centella Asiatica Extract has anti-inflammatory properties. It speeds up the wound-healing process. You can use it to treat acne since it has soothing and antibacterial properties. It boosts fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin or even helps with hyaluronic acid synthesis. Centella is recommended for rosacea and cellulitis, as it helps improve blood microcirculation. In hair care, Centella can help with hair growth.
How does Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule work?
I was surprised by Skin1004, since this brand had good but simple formulas, and since lots of teenagers are choosing this brand, I was happy about it, since nowadays skincare tends to be full of active ingredients. Too many actives are problematic, especially for younger skin. The Lab in Nature series is focused on actives, and I feel like the target is adults or at least more advanced users.
There are three serums: Niacinamide 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule, Matrixyl 10 Boosting Shot Ampoule and Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule. What do they have in common? Microspicules! Each of these products contains a 3-step delivery system based on micro-sized spicules (average size 13μm). These spicules contain Centella and Panthenol. They create tiny pathways in the skin that allow ingredients (not only active ones) to get deeper into the skin. Don't expect that it gets super deep into the skin - it's still in the epidermis. This serum is supposed to enhance the firmness of the skin. It should also make your texture look better. It's a formula that combines ingredients like Retinol & Retinal with Squalane, so you don't only work on skin elasticity but also moisture and a healthy skin barrier. That's important when we use retinol.
According to Skin1004, it's good to start easy, use it twice a week during evening routine - remember retinol can't be used in the morning! You might even want to start using it as a spot treatment. I always recommend starting with the sandwich method - go with moisturizer, then retinol and another layer of moisturizer.
But is it even worth it to use Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule? I think yes. It does tingle a bit, but if I had to compare it to VT Reedle Shot 100 or VT Reedle Shot 700, for me, it's very similar to Reedle Shot 100, and it's less painful than Reedle Shot 700. Even if this serum is recommended for sensitive skin, not every sensitive skin likes microspicules. To keep that in mind - if you've never tried microspicules, start with some patch tests.
Read more: VT Reedle Shot 100
The texture feels thick, and it might take a minute to spread it on the entire face, but it doesn't leave any sticky layer on the skin. It doesn't leave any yellow stain, and it feels quite comfortable. If you had a break from retinol like I did, you might experience some purging first. You might notice lots of small bumps. My recommendation, try Purcell 24/7 Colostrum Pore Defence Ampoule with Pixcell Biom, it'll help you heal your skin faster. Retinols need at least 2-3 months to see the full effect. So far, it works pretty well, but I still need at least a month, so I will try to keep you updated on this post.
Where to buy Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule and how much does it cost?
Skin1004 Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule is available at YesStyle* and it costs $23.57, but when I was checking the price, you could get it even for $15/30ml. Feel free to use my referral code BETWEENDOTS to save on your order.
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule is also available at Olive Young*, the regular price is $28/30 ml. You can use my affiliate code BETWEEND0 to save on your order.
I didn't expect that Skin1004 would release a line focused on natural ingredients combined with actives, but Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule is a positive surprise.
Would you give Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule a try?
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*** These product were gifted by Picky & Skin1004, even though it still shows my personal opinion on the topic and product. This post contains affiliate links, all affiliate links are marked with *. By using these links you help me to pay for domain and all the cost related to blogging.***
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