Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream

Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum Versus Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream

This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin.

This anti-aging treatment is formulated around Bakuchiol 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

Propanediol

Glycerin

Sodium Hyaluronate

Hydroxyacetophenone

Sodium Citrate

Citric Acid

Ethylhexylglycerin

Tocopherol

Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol

C13-16 Isoparaffin

Diheptyl Succinate

Heptyl Undecylenate

1,2-Hexanediol

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate

Vitis Vinifera

Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Bakuchiol

Acmella Oleracea Extract

Butylene Glycol

Retinol

Allantoin

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract

Water, C13-16 Isoparaffin, Glycerin, Diheptyl Succinate, Heptyl Undecylenate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Propanediol, Vitis Vinifera, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bakuchiol, Tocopherol, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Butylene Glycol, Retinol, Allantoin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract

Reviews

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.

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

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!

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