Ameliorate Transforming Clarity Facial Serum Versus FaceTheory Retinal Supreme Multicream 0.05%
Updated on March 04, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, retinoid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Ameliorate Transforming Clarity Facial Serum 40 ingredients
FaceTheory Retinal Supreme Multicream 0.05% 40 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Ameliorate Transforming Clarity Facial Serum 40 ingredients
FaceTheory Retinal Supreme Multicream 0.05% 40 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Serine
MaskingSodium Lactate
BufferingSorbitol
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Rhizobian Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Codium Tomentosum Extract
Skin ProtectingEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Butylene Glycol, Morinda Citrifolia Leaf Extract, Parfum, Pentylene Glycol, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, Serine, Sodium Lactate, Sorbitol, Urea, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Benzyl Salicylate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Rhizobian Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Limonene, Chlorphenesin, Allantoin, Codium Tomentosum Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventC15-19 Alkane
SolventCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate
EmollientHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Mannitol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
Emulsifying
Hectorite
AbsorbentSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Powder
AbsorbentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Phytate
Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Powder
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientChondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Glucose
HumectantChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
EmollientLactic Acid
Buffering
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, C15-19 Alkane, Coco-Caprylate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Propanediol Dicaprylate/Caprate, Hydrated Silica, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Mannitol, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Hectorite, Sodium Levulinate, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxyapatite, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Limon Peel Powder, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Phytate, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Powder, Sclerotium Gum, Tocopherol, Cellulose Gum, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Glucose, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Lecithin, Lactic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideGlycerin 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 GlycerinDimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.
As a solvent, dimethyl isosorbide helps dissolve other ingredients. This helps ensure even distribution of an ingredient. It may also be used to decrease the thickness of a product.
Studies show dimethyl isosorbide is able to penetrate skin to deliver other ingredients into the skin, making them more effective.
Learn more about Dimethyl IsosorbidePolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate isn't fungal acne safe. It can be bad for dry skin.
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate comes from Capric Acid and Polyglycerin-4. It is an emulsifier.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally.
Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate comes from caprylic acid and Polyglycerin-6. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and cleansing agent.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating. Common ingredients include oils and water, which do not mix naturally. Emulsifiers have properties that help keep ingredients such as these together. There is emerging research that shows emulsifiers may also help in delivering ingredients into the skin.
As an emollient, polyglyceryl-6 caprylate helps soften skin.
Learn more about Polyglyceryl-6 CaprylatePolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate isn't fungal acne safe.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidThis ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes retinol and tretinoin.
Retinoids have been proven to:
So what is the difference between all the retinoids? Most retinoids need to go through a conversion line to become effective on skin. The ending product is retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is AKA tretinoin.
HPR is an ester of tretinoin. Emerging studies suggest HPR to have an added benefit that other retinoids don't have: Low irritation.
A study from 2021 found HPR to have the greatest stability when exposed to light and temperature out of all the commercial retinoids.
A note about naming: The name "Granactive" is the trade name and the name most commonly used on packages.
Granactive is the name of the mixture - about 90% solvent and 10% HPR. A product with 5% granactive has 0.5% HPR.
Learn more about Hydroxypinacolone RetinoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopherol (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 TocopherolIngredient Ratings
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