Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum Versus True Botanicals Phyto-Retinol Anti-Aging Body Lotion
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Squalane and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Humectant
Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
ChelatingCitric Acid
Buffering
Linalool
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Squalane, Niacinamide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Bakuchiol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Yeast Extract, Soy Amino Acids, Lecithin, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Citric Acid, Linalool, Geraniol, Limonene
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Coco-Caprylate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Sorbitan Palmitate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Soybean Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Coriandrum Sativum Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingCoriandrum Sativum Fruit Extract
Antimicrobial
Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract
Emollient
Copaifera Officinalis Resin Oil
Masking
Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Origanum Vulgare Leaf Oil
Masking
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Glycosphingolipids
EmollientGlycolipids
Skin ConditioningBeta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Limonene
Perfuming
Squalene
Emollient
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentGeraniol
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Sorbitan Palmitate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Sorbitan Oleate, Sodium Hydroxide, Linalool, Coriandrum Sativum Seed Oil, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Extract, Copaifera Officinalis Resin Oil, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Glycosphingolipids, Glycolipids, Beta-Sitosterol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limonene, Squalene, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Geraniol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
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).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGeraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.
Monoterpenes are naturally found in many parts of different plants.
Geraniol can be found in many essential oils including Rose Oil and Citronella Oil. The scent of Geraniol is often described as "rose-like". Many foods also contain Geraniol for fruit flavoring.
Geraniol can irritate the skin when exposed to air. However, irritation depends on the ability of geraniol to penetrate into the skin. In general, geraniol is not able to penetrate skin easily.
Geraniol is colorless and has low water-solubility. However, it is soluble in common organic solvents.
Like citronellol, it is a natural insect repellent.
2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
Learn more about GeraniolLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
