The INKEY List Retinol Serum Versus Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream

The INKEY List Retinol Serum Versus Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Retinol Serum versus Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinyl Acetate and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. This anti-aging treatment is formulated around Retinal to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. 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 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 Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Paraffinum Liquidum Glyceryl Stearate PEG-100 Stearate Propylene Glycol Microcrystalline Wax PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil BHT Disodium EDTA Oleoyl Dipeptide-15 Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31 CI 17200 Retinal Tocopheryl Glucoside Triethanolamine Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Oleoyl Dipeptide-15, Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31, CI 17200, Retinal, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Triethanolamine 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. 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). 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. Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum). It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores. This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces. Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer. Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts. No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration). Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types. This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants. Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane. Read more about squalene with an "e". Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol. The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils. Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1