Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream Versus Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful Retinoid Serum

The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream Versus Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful Retinoid Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream versus Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful Retinoid Serum. This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Retinol and Sodium

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

The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream Versus Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful Retinoid Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream versus Pacifica Wake Up Beautiful Retinoid Serum. This anti-aging eye moisturizer is formulated around Retinol and Sodium Hyaluronate to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. Water Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Glycerin Butylene Glycol Pentaerythrityl Distearate Shea Butter Ethyl Esters Cetearyl Olivate Phenoxyethanol Benzyl Alcohol Sorbitan Olivate Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Hyaluronate Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate Copernicia Cerifera Cera Propanediol Glycogen Sodium Gluconate Retinol Polysorbate 20 Ethylhexylglycerin Dehydroacetic Acid Citric Acid Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil 1,2-Hexanediol Caprylyl Glycol Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate Tocopherol Xanthan Gum Ethyl Ferulate Humulus Lupulus Extract Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Shea Butter Ethyl Esters, Cetearyl Olivate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Propanediol, Glycogen, Sodium Gluconate, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Tocopherol, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Ferulate, Humulus Lupulus Extract Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Ganoderma Lucidum Extract Trametes Versicolor Extract Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract Melatonin Oryza Sativa Bran Extract Helianthus Annuus Extract Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Linoleic Acid Phytosterols Phospholipids Jojoba Esters Acacia Senegal Gum Dimethyl Isosorbide Methylheptylglycerin Caprylhydroxamic Acid Water, Propanediol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Melatonin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Glycerin, Linoleic Acid, Phytosterols, Phospholipids, Jojoba Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Sodium Gluconate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Methylheptylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel. While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns. Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source. This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out. This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%. 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). Cetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable. You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum. These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin. This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data. Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compat