Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Vitamin E & Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum Versus Neutrogena Hydro Boost Vitamin E & Hyaluronic Acid Serum

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Bisabolol to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.

This hydrating serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Isohexadecane

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate

PPG-15 Stearyl Ether

Triethyl Citrate

Polysorbate 20

Retinol

Parfum

Tocopheryl Acetate

Bisabolol

BHT

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Isohexadecane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, PPG-15 Stearyl Ether, Triethyl Citrate, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Bisabolol, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Water

Propanediol

Glycerin

Pentylene Glycol

Niacinamide

Phenoxyethanol

Butylene Glycol

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Caprylyl Glycol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Chondrus Crispus Powder

Ceramide AP

1,2-Hexanediol

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Tromethamine

Panthenol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

Agar

Gellan Gum

Disodium EDTA

Algin

Sucrose

Chondrus Crispus Extract

Arginine

PCA

Serine

Alanine

Citric Acid

Threonine

Mourera Fluviatilis Extract

Titanium Dioxide

Mica

Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Ceramide AP, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Agar, Gellan Gum, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Algin, Sucrose, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Arginine, PCA, Serine, Alanine, Citric Acid, Threonine, Mourera Fluviatilis Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Mica

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.

Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.

It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.

One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.

Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.

Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.

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.

Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.

The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.

Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.

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