Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

The INKEY List Retinol Serum Versus Isntree Green Tea Fresh Serum

The INKEY List Retinol Serum Versus Isntree Green Tea Fresh Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Retinol Serum versus Isntree Green Tea Fresh Serum. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinyl Acetate and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to soften the lo

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The INKEY List Retinol Serum Versus Isntree Green Tea Fresh Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Retinol Serum versus Isntree Green Tea Fresh Serum. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinyl Acetate and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. This oil-control serum is formulated around Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract and Niacinamide to balance excess oil and calm redness. 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 Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Dipropylene Glycol Niacinamide 1,2-Hexanediol Panthenol Hydroxyacetophenone Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer Allantoin Tromethamine Betaine Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate Cetearyl Alcohol Epigallocatechin Gallate Glyceryl Stearate Se Adenosine Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Bacillus Ferment Vigna Radiata Seed Extract Camellia Japonica Flower Extract Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract Pueraria Lobata Root Extract Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Squalane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Allantoin, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Adenosine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bacillus Ferment, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons: Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients. Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness. 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. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum. Topically, glycerin does several things at once: Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3. Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin. This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products. Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity. Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine. Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. It’s often used to: Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent. 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