R.N.A. Power Radical New Age Cream
Award-Winning Anti-Aging Luxury
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Award-winning texture that's rich yet remarkably non-greasy with a whipped, cushioned feel
- +Shea butter provides genuine occlusive hydration that dry skin needs during cold months
- +Matrixyl peptide with published collagen-stimulation data delivers measurable firming results
- +Pitera + niacinamide foundation creates broad-spectrum skin quality improvement alongside anti-aging
- +Visible firmness and plumpness improvement reported by users within 2-4 weeks
- +Layers well under sunscreen and makeup despite its richness
- +Allure Best of Beauty 2019 winner with extensive positive user feedback
- −At $235 for 80g, extremely expensive for a cream with accessible actives available at lower prices
- −Three types of parabens feel outdated for a luxury product in the current market
- −Isopropyl isostearate creates comedogenic risk for acne-prone users
- −Jar packaging exposes the formula to air and contamination — a pump would better protect actives
- −Too rich for oily skin, especially during warmer months
The full review.
Texture
The texture earns genuine admiration. The cream is thick but feels whipped—cushioned, bouncy, and surprisingly light when applied. It melts into skin instead of sitting in a greasy layer, leaving a satin-dewy finish that shows moisture without feeling heavy. This results from careful formulation engineering: the silicone crosspolymer system and the stearic/cetyl/behenyl alcohol emulsion create a structure that feels substantial during application but breaks down on skin contact.
Scent
The fragrance layers a floral note over the Pitera ferment, like all SK-II products in this range. In the richer cream base, the scent is more pronounced than in the Airy Milky Lotion, but it dissipates within minutes.
Packaging
The jar packaging prioritizes aesthetics over function. Open jars expose the product to air, light, and bacterial contamination during use. The peptides and proteins in this formula are not fragile actives, but a pump or airless dispenser would protect the formula better. At this price, the packaging choice favors shelf appeal over product integrity.
Best for
The R.N.A. Power Radical New Age Cream delivers on its core promises for dry to normal skin seeking a luxury anti-aging moisturizer with scientific backing. Firmness improves. Hydration is substantial. The texture is beautiful. The Pitera conditioning creates a baseline skin quality that improves the look of everything else. The Allure Award was earned, not bought. But at $235, the inclusion of parabens, fragrance, a comedogenic emollient, and jar packaging creates trade-offs that stop this from being the definitive luxury cream its ambition suggests. Its successor, the SKINPOWER Cream, attempts to address some of these concerns—though at a similar price point.
Not ideal for
The thickness that suits dry skin limits other skin types. Oily and combination skin will find this too heavy for anything but occasional nighttime use. Additionally, the isopropyl isostearate introduces comedogenic risk for acne-prone users. SK-II understood this segmentation, which is why the Airy Milky Lotion exists as the lightweight alternative.
Common Complaints
The preservative system is SK-II’s most persistent weakness across the R.N.A. Power line. Using three parabens—methyl, propyl, and ethyl—in one formula is a choice that predates current paraben sensitivity. While regulatory bodies say parabens at cosmetic concentrations are safe, consumer preference has shifted. A $235 cream should lead formulation trends rather than trail them.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Water, Glycerin, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Isopropyl Isostearate, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Methylparaben, PEG-100 Stearate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysorbate 80, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Sodium PEG-7 Olive Oil Carboxylate, Ethylparaben, Sorbitan Oleate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Acanthopanax Senticosus (Eleuthero) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Polyquaternium-7, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Methylsilanol Tri-PEG-8 Glyceryl Cocoate, Methicone, CI 77891, CI 77492
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
The R.N.A. Power Radical New Age Cream's anti-aging claims rest primarily on Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl) and the Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (GFF) foundation. A 2005 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science by Robinson et al. demonstrated that topical application of Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 produced statistically significant improvements in skin roughness, wrinkle volume, and wrinkle depth over a 6-month period, with the peptide shown to stimulate collagen I, III, IV, and fibronectin synthesis in fibroblast cultures.
The GFF backbone provides NRF2-mediated antioxidant activation as documented in a 2022 Journal of Clinical Medicine study, protecting against the oxidative stress that accelerates collagen degradation. A 2023 longitudinal study in the same journal tracked 12 months of daily GFF product use, documenting cumulative improvements in wrinkle appearance and skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss.
The shea butter component contributes beyond simple occlusion. Butyrospermum parkii butter contains triterpene esters, tocopherol, and phytosterols that have been shown to support skin barrier repair and exhibit mild anti-inflammatory activity, complementing the Pitera's barrier-conditioning properties.
Niacinamide's role in upregulating ceramide and fatty acid synthesis in the stratum corneum is well-documented across multiple controlled studies, providing the barrier reinforcement that allows the cream's other actives to perform in a well-maintained skin environment.
References
- Topical Pentapeptide Provides Improvement in Photoaged Human Facial Skin — International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2005)
- Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate Potentiates an Anti-Inflammaging System in Keratinocytes — Journal of Clinical Medicine (2022)
- Significant Reversal of Facial Wrinkle, Pigmented Spot and Roughness by Daily Application of Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate-Containing Skin Products for 12 Months — Journal of Clinical Medicine (2023)
Dermatologist Perspective
Board-certified dermatologists frequently recommended the R.N.A. Power Cream for patients with dry to normal skin seeking luxury anti-aging with scientifically supported ingredients. Dermatologists note that the combination of a collagen-stimulating peptide with barrier-supporting niacinamide and ferment-based conditioning creates a well-rounded approach to photoaging management. The cream's emollient shea butter base makes it particularly suitable as a companion to prescription retinoids, helping to offset the dryness and irritation that retinoid therapy commonly induces. The paraben preservative system, while considered safe by dermatological consensus, is increasingly noted as a barrier to patient compliance in the current market.
Where it fits in your routine.
Use a clean spatula to scoop a pearl-sized amount (do not dip fingers into the jar). Warm the cream between fingertips and press it onto the face and neck using upward motions after cleansing, toning, and applying treatment serums. Use morning and evening. The thick cream works as the final step before sunscreen; most skin types do not need more moisturizer.
At $235 for 80g (about $2.94 per gram), the R.N.A. Power Cream is an ultra-luxury product. A 50g size costs about $165, but the per-gram price is higher. The main actives — Matrixyl, niacinamide, shea butter, vitamin E — appear in $30-60 moisturizers. Pitera drives most of the price gap. For SK-II devotees who see results from Pitera, the mix of ferment conditioning and peptide anti-aging in this thick formula works well. For those looking only at ingredient merit, the price-to-performance ratio is difficult.
Dry to normal skin types want an anti-aging moisturizer with peptide and Pitera technology. It works well for retinol users needing a thick, barrier-supportive night cream. SK-II loyalists can add anti-aging power to their Pitera routine. This option suits those who value texture and a premium experience.
Oily and acne-prone skin — the thick formula and comedogenic isopropyl isostearate make this unsuitable. Sensitive skin types should avoid this due to fragrance and parabens. Budget-conscious consumers can find peptide + niacinamide creams for much less. Those actively avoiding parabens. Note: the SKINPOWER Cream succeeds this product.
Product details.
fall winter
The backstory.
Launched in 2015, the R.N.A. Power Radical New Age Cream was SK-II's answer to customers who loved Pitera but wanted more aggressive anti-aging and richer hydration than the Facial Treatment Essence could provide alone. The 'Radical New Age' branding signaled SK-II's ambition to move beyond skin conditioning into active age reversal. The cream became one of SK-II's best sellers, winning the 2019 Allure Best of Beauty Award, before being succeeded by the SKINPOWER Cream line.
About SK-II
Legacy Brand (20+ years)SK-II started in 1980, based on P&G research into sake brewery fermentation. The R.N.A. Power line launched in 2015 as SK-II's biggest anti-aging platform before the SKINPOWER range arrived. The cream won the 2019 Allure Best of Beauty Award.
Common myths.
Higher prices do not make luxury anti-aging creams work better than affordable alternatives.
The R.N.A. Power Cream's key actives — Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, niacinamide, shea butter, vitamin E — are available in products at every price tier. What SK-II offers is the proprietary Pitera strain and a specific formulation synergy, not ingredients unavailable elsewhere.
The jar packaging reduces the formula's stability and effectiveness.
Jar packaging exposes the formula to air and bacteria during use, but the key actives (peptides, niacinamide, Pitera) stay stable. Use a spatula instead of fingers and store away from direct sunlight to minimize degradation risk.
FAQ.
Is SK-II R.N.A. Power Radical New Age Cream discontinued?
SK-II's SKINPOWER Cream replaces the R.N.A. Power line. Some retailers still sell remaining stock, but the SKINPOWER Cream is the current-generation replacement with an updated formula and delivery system.
Is the SK-II R.N.A. Power Cream worth $235?
The cream uses well-researched actives (Pitera, Matrixyl, niacinamide) in a thick shea butter base. It won the Allure Best of Beauty Award and has thousands of positive reviews. However, effective formulations of the core ingredients cost much less — the premium price covers the proprietary Pitera, formulation elegance, and brand positioning.
Can I use SK-II R.N.A. Power Cream with retinol?
Yes — this cream works well with retinol. The niacinamide, glycerin, and shea butter buffer retinol irritation and maintain hydration. Apply retinol first, wait a few minutes to absorb, then apply the cream on top.
Is the SK-II R.N.A. Power Cream suitable for oily skin?
Avoid daytime use. The shea butter and thick emollients feel heavy on oily skin, and isopropyl isostearate may clog pores. The Airy Milky Lotion targets oily and combination skin types wanting R.N.A. Power technology in a lighter vehicle.
What does the Matrixyl peptide in the R.N.A. Power Cream do?
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl) is a signal peptide. It stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen, elastin, and fibronectin. In this cream, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl) works with hydrolyzed soy and yeast proteins to target fine lines and firmness loss — the 'Radical New Age Complex' that names the product.
Community
What the community says.
"Rich yet surprisingly non-greasy texture"
"Visible firming and plumping effect within weeks"
"Skin feels deeply hydrated and bouncy"
"Beautiful luminous glow"
"Works well under makeup despite richness"
"Extremely expensive for a moisturizer"
"Contains multiple parabens and fragrance"
"Too rich for oily skin, especially in summer"
"Has been succeeded by SKINPOWER line — availability decreasing"
"Fermented Pitera scent noticeable underneath the fragrance"
