Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus The INKEY List Retinol Serum

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus The INKEY List Retinol Serum Detailed comparison of Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment versus The INKEY List Retinol Serum. This acne treatment is formulated around Adapalene to clear breakouts and refi

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Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus The INKEY List Retinol Serum Detailed comparison of Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment versus The INKEY List Retinol Serum. This acne treatment is formulated around Adapalene to clear breakouts and refine skin texture. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinyl Acetate and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. Adapalene 0.1% Carbomer Disodium EDTA Methylparaben Poloxamer 182 Propylene Glycol Water Sodium Hydroxide Adapalene 0.1%, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Poloxamer 182, Propylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Hydroxide Glycerin Butylene Glycol Propanediol Dicaprylyl Carbonate Retinyl Acetate Dimethicone Phenoxyethanol Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer Caprylyl Glycol Phospholipids Squalane Glycine Soja Oil Polysorbate 60 Tocopheryl Acetate Glycolipids Sodium Phytate Sorbitan Isostearate Glycine Soja Sterols Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Lactate Tocopherol Polysorbate 20 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Retinyl Acetate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phospholipids, Squalane, Glycine Soja Oil, Carbomer, Polysorbate 60, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycolipids, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Phytate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Glycine Soja Sterols, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Tocopherol, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture. Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%. It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier. Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%. A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions. Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective. In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline. Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated. "Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic. 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!