The newest retinol cream from RoC is their Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($18.39, Drugstore.com). A combination of vitamin C (as L-ascorbic acid), glycolic acid, and retinol, this product claims that it will diminish expression lines, deep wrinkles, and improve skin’s overall softness and smoothness.
The good news about RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 is that it appears to provide a fairly high concentration of vitamin C. According to a review in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, vitamin C has many favorable aspects for the skin, including the scavenging of free radicals (reacts with the superoxide anion or the hydroxyl radical), suppressing pigmentation of the skin (by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase), decomposing melanin, triggering collagen production and thereby increasing skin firmness, and enhancing sunscreen protection — all great for a morning moisturizer!
The bad news about RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 is two-fold. The first is that it combines an AHA (glycolic acid) with retinol in the same formulation, which is an unstable combination. In fact, Dr. Leslie Baumann, dermatologist, author of The Skin Type Solution, and chief of the department of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami, verifies that AHAs and retinol should not be used together in her blog: “Retinol is a highly effective ingredient, but it is unfortunately not a terribly stable one! Alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid and lactic acid) inactivate retinol, and the two should not be used together.”
The second bit of bad news about RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 is that the already de-stabilized retinol is in low concentration. Actually, seemingly very low concentration; although the exact percentage is not provided, it is listed between propylparaben and sodium hydroxide, indicating that retinol is most likely in or below the 0.025% range. (Of course, I cannot know this number for certain, and am just making an educated guess!)
Of course, RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 is not all bad – as a vitamin C cream and a source of sunscreen, it comes in a dark container with a relatively small opening at the end, so the vitamin C will not oxidize as quickly as in other formulations, and the chemical sunscreen is quality (3% avobenzone, 10% homosalate, 3% octocrylene, 5% oxybenzone). Unfortunately, if you are buying RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 looking for the effects of retinol, I would recommend buying a different cream altogether with a reported high concentration of retinol, like the 0.6% retinol in Green Cream Level 6. I would also recommend using retinol creams only at night, since retinol makes the skin sensitive to the sun. Overall, however, RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 is not a bad moisturizer, but certainly a poor source of retinol! Overall rating: 5.5/10 (High concentration of proven ingredients: 1.5/3. New technology: 1.5/3. Value for the money: 1.5/3, because you’re not even getting much retinol, and it’s listed in the product name. Sunscreen: 1/1.)
Want more? Get a joint opinion of this product today on Beauty411.net!
A few months ago, Nancy at Beauty411.net and I collaborated on a joint product review, and we decided to team up again to review RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30. Be sure to head over to Beauty411.net to get her impressions and analysis of RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30! 
Ingredients in RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone (3%) (sunscreen), Homosalate (10%) (sunscreen), Octocrylene (3%) (sunscreen), Oxybenzone (5%) (sunscreen)
Inactive Ingredients: Allantoin, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Extract (Shea Butter), C13 14 Isoparaffin, Ceteth 20, Cetyl Alcohol, Copper Gluconate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Fragrance, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycolic Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Laureth 7, Magnesium Aspartate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Methylparaben, p-Anisic Acid, PEG 75 Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, PPG 2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Propylparaben, Retinol, Sodium Hydroxide, Squalane, Steareth 20, Stearyl Caprylate, Stearyl Heptanoate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water, Zinc Gluconate
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“…diminish expression lines, deep wrinkles…” Wow. How are they allowed to make these claims? If any of these products worked, no one would have a wrinkle.
I was asked by RoC if I wanted to test this product, so I first asked them what the concentration of retinol was, since that was the most important criteria for me. They wrote back and said it was a “trademark secret” or something like that. That led me to believe the product’s retinol concentration must be really low, if they won’t even tell me! I was disappointed. And I forgot about not mixing AHA with retinol, so that’s even more disappointing!
I have heard really good things about their older wrinkle cream- does it also have AHA and retinol or just retinol? Also, I went to the derm a few weeks ago where he prescribed Retin-A as well as gave my a glycolic face wash. When I asked about the combination effectiviness, she said it was ok. I have heard the same from Differin users. any thoughts? Are the prescription products less likely to deactivate from AHA combinations? I have only been using the wash in the mornings because I just want to wait a bit and see how the retinol works before possibly screwing it up with the AHA wash. Thanks for the heads up on the RoC product.
Thanks for the review! I was curious about how much retinol could actually be in it, and now I know. I’ll stick with Skinceuticals because at least I how I’m getting what I want.
Roc was recommended to me by a friend for the moisturizer. I was recently found to have Basil skin cancer.. Is this safe for me to use? I was told to use the SPF30. What is your opinion on if I should use it.
Thank you
Addie
I purchased the Made from Earth Vitamin Enhanced Moisturizer jar and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the way it keeps my skin hydrated (I put it on after my shower in the morning AND at night) and feeling smooth.
Yes, it does add moisture to your skin, which as we age we need more and more of it to keep our skin looking ‘plump’ and hydrated. This is what takes the fine lines out around our eyes and mouth – hydration, pure and simple. While Vaseline would do the same thing, who wants to have a greasy mess on their face?
It is totally odor-free, and the feel of the cream is heavy. It spreads easily over my face and neck, and is absorbed quickly. I don’t notice any oily residue which is great as I still have a bit of a ‘T-Zone’ issue.