Skin science article
Cetaphil Healthy Renew Purified Peptides Face Serum Versus Current State Retinol + Marula Renewing Serum
Cetaphil Healthy Renew Purified Peptides Face Serum Versus Current State Retinol + Marula Renewing Serum This anti-aging serum is formulated around Panthenol and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier. This anti-aging serum
Cetaphil Healthy Renew Purified Peptides Face Serum Versus Current State Retinol + Marula Renewing Serum
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Panthenol and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil and Retinol to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Butylene Glycol
Glycerin
Panthenol
1,2-Hexanediol
Niacinamide
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
Hydrogenated Polydecene
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Tromethamine
Oryza Sativa Lees Extract
Leontopodium Alpinum Extract
Calcium Alginate
Propanediol
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Ethylhexylglycerin
Agar
Adenosine
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Caprylyl Glycol
Iron Oxides
Citric Acid
Sodium Benzoate
Potassium Sorbate
Buddleja Davidii Extract
Thymus Vulgaris Extract
Tocopherol
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Oryza Sativa Lees Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Extract, Calcium Alginate, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Ethylhexylglycerin, Agar, Adenosine, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylyl Glycol, Iron Oxides, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Extract, Tocopherol
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Squalane
Avena Sativa Bran Extract
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Retinol
Kojic Acid
Phospholipids
Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Sucrose
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Maltodextrin
Xanthan Gum
Phenoxyethanol
Sorbic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Water, Avena Sativa Bran Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Retinol, Kojic Acid, Phospholipids, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Sucrose, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Reviews
Be the first to review
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!