A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum — Reddit Reviews
Updated November 10, 2026
Studies found acne benefits for another retinoid; Redditors praise 0.05% retinal.
What the community says
This 0.05% retinal serum eases people into retinoids, and Redditors report pore, scar, and wrinkle improvements. Studies found acne benefits for a different retinoid; reactive skin can still flush or dry out when introduced too quickly.
What this means for you
What people love
- 0.05% retinal; an easier starting strength
- Light lotion texture; community calls it gentle
- Redditors report unclogged pores and faded scars
Watch out for
- Flushing and irritation hit when introduced too quickly
- Dryness can creep in, even with sandwiching
- Whiteheads, clogged pores, or cysts derail some users
Product details
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Where to buy
What the science says
Retinol has strong evidence for easing aging signs such as fine lines, wrinkles and uneven tone 1. For dark spots, retinol has some evidence of fading sun spots and melasma 2. Its acne results also have some evidence behind them, with fewer pimples and blackheads reported 3. All of these studies tested retinol rather than retinal, the ingredient in this serum, so they describe a close relative of it 123.
- Retinol for anti-aging Strong evidence · 23 studies
- Retinol for hyperpigmentation Some evidence · 12 studies
- Retinol for acne Some evidence · 5 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchFull ingredient list · 22
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum ingredients
Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleyl Erucate, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Allantoin, Retinal, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 54 mentions across 19 threads
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum on Reddit, in one place — 19 threads from r/curlyhair, r/SkincareAddiction and 3 more, summarized.
“Geek & gorgeous retinal 0.05% (3x a week)”
Positive
“I currently use the Geek & Gorgeous retinal serum and find it effective and gentle.”
Positive
“Retinal is normally encapsulated and that can make it much more gentle than retinol.”
Positive
“The last three aren't OTC”
Positive
“When I do that regularly, I tolerate a very mild retinal 1-2xs/week Geek & Gorgeous A Game 5 (.05% retinal)”
Positive
“I found I have to have my skin really calm to use retinoids.”
Positive
“SPF every day.”
Positive
“I've been having great success with 0.05% retinal by Geek & Gorgeous (A-Game 5).”
Positive
“I can use it up to every 2 days by now.”
Positive
“Maybe that would be an option for someone who has problems with tretinoin”
Positive
“My current products are mostly: ... Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 5”
Positive
“My current products are mostly:”
Positive
“feel free to ask me anything about these products or my overall routine”
Positive
“Night: - Geek & Gorgeous 0.05% retinal”
Positive
“Many people with sensitive skin can eventually tolerate 0.1% retinal”
Positive
“If you prefer to stay non-injectable for now, consistent retinal use ... are the most evidence-based topical strategies.”
Positive
