Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

PCA Skin Pigment Gel Versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum

PCA Skin Pigment Gel Versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum Detailed comparison of PCA Skin Pigment Gel versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Lactic Acid and Kojic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brig

This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.

PCA Skin Pigment Gel Versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum Detailed comparison of PCA Skin Pigment Gel versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. This brightening serum is formulated around Lactic Acid and Kojic Acid to fade the look of dark spots and brighten dull-looking skin. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Ceramide NP and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. Water Alcohol Denat. Hamamelis Virginiana Water Lactic Acid Butylene Glycol Kojic Acid Azelaic Acid Alcohol Hydroxyethylcellulose Phenylethyl Resorcinol BHT Glutathione Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract Water, Alcohol Denat., Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Alcohol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, BHT, Glutathione, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract Glycerin Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Potassium Cetyl Phosphate Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Polysorbate 20 PEG-40 Stearate Cyclopentasiloxane Potassium Phosphate Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Carbomer Niacinamide Isoceteth-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Triethanolamine Cetearyl Alcohol Behentrimonium Methosulfate Cichorium Intybus Root Extract Lecithin Retinol Silica Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Cholesterol Phenoxyethanol Tocopherol Hydroxyacetophenone Citric Acid Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Pentylene Glycol Xanthan Gum Phytosphingosine Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Isoceteth-10, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Lecithin, Retinol, Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexylglycerin Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use. In formulas, it: Is it bad for your skin? The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration. Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration. In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily. This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes. Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling). Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier. According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients. True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin. Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure. This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product. This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients. 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!