AHAVA pRetinol™ Eye Cream Versus The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream
Updated on June 19, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe eye moisturizers. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
AHAVA pRetinol™ Eye Cream 47 ingredients
The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream 31 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
AHAVA pRetinol™ Eye Cream 47 ingredients
The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Isononanoate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantSilica
Abrasive
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlucose
Humectant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Corn Starch Modified
AbsorbentSilanetriol
Potassium Citrate
BufferingZea Mays Starch
AbsorbentCitric Acid
Buffering
CI 16035
Cosmetic ColorantZea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlucosyl Hesperidin
HumectantPullulan
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningAesculus Hippocastanum Extract
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Fructose
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningMaris Aqua
HumectantWater, Isodecyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Caprylyl Methicone, C14-22 Alcohols, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, PEG-40 Stearate, Stearyl Dimethicone, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, Mica, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, CI 77891, Silica, Sclerotium Gum, Lysolecithin, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Glycolic Acid, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Corn Starch Modified, Silanetriol, Potassium Citrate, Zea Mays Starch, Citric Acid, CI 16035, Zea Mays Oil, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucosyl Hesperidin, Pullulan, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Fraxinus Excelsior Bark Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract, Allantoin, Fructose, Niacinamide, Beta-Carotene, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Maris Aqua
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Shea Butter Ethyl Esters
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCopernicia Cerifera Cera
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycogen
HumectantSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialWater, 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
Ingredients Explained
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.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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.
Learn more about PropanediolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
AHAVA pRetinol™ Eye Cream 47 ingredients
The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream 31 ingredients
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