Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream
Updated on May 19, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid 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 parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils and silicones
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
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream 64 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
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream 64 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Ceteareth-33
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientOleoyl Dipeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantTriethylhexanoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ceteareth-33, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Retinal, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Oleoyl Dipeptide-15, Mica, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, BHT, Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide, Caramel, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientCaprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSilybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ursolic Acid
MaskingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Sodium Phytate
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingIlomastat
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycerin, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Bakuchiol, Retinol, Ferulic Acid, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Ceramide Ng, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Jojoba Esters, Soy Isoflavones, Phospholipids, Saccharide Isomerate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ursolic Acid, Adenosine, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tetrahydropiperine, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Maltodextrin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ilomastat, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideOenothera Biennis Oil is the fixed oil derived from the seeds of the Evening Primrose.
Evening primrose oil is rich in fatty acids. These fatty acids include linoleic (60-85%), oleic (5-12%), palmitic (4-10%), and stearic (2-4%).
The fatty acid composition makes it a great ingredient for soothing and moisturizing skin. However, it may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne safe.
Further research is needed on the role of evening primrose in treating eczema.
Evening primrose is native to North America.
Learn more about Oenothera Biennis OilPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (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
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream 64 ingredients
