CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 Detailed comparison of CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum USA versus Paula's Choice Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30. This smoothing serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Retinol to refine skin texture and fade the look of dark spots. This mineral sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~97% of UVB at SPF 30. Water Propanediol Dimethicone Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate Niacinamide Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Hydrogenated Lecithin Potassium Phosphate Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Carbomer Cetearyl Alcohol Behentrimonium Methosulfate Dimethiconol Lecithin Sodium Citrate Retinol Sodium Hyaluronate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Cholesterol Phenoxyethanol Alcohol Isopropyl Myristate Caprylyl Glycol Citric Acid Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Pentylene Glycol Phytosphingosine Xanthan Gum Polysorbate 20 Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethiconol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin Cyclopentasiloxane Zinc Oxide PEG-12 Dimethicone PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone Lauroyl Lysine Sodium Chloride Trihydroxystearin Dimethicone Crosspolymer Resveratrol Quercetin Epigallocatechin Gallate Tocopheryl Acetate Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Adenosine Bisabolol Salix Nigra Bark Extract Punica Granatum Extract Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Polysorbate 80 Hydrated Silica Triethoxycaprylylsilane C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate Hexylene Glycol Iron Oxides Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Zinc Oxide, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Chloride, Trihydroxystearin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Adenosine, Bisabolol, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Polysorbate 80, Hydrated Silica, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Iron Oxides, Phenoxyethanol These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created. Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin. Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on). 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. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome. On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive. Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10). You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own. Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU. Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages. Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon. 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!