Bloom Effects Black Tulip Overnight Retinoid Versus Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 0.2% Retinal Serum
Updated on October 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Bloom Effects Black Tulip Overnight Retinoid 56 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 0.2% Retinal Serum 20 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
Bloom Effects Black Tulip Overnight Retinoid 56 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 0.2% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingLauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Cannabis Sativa Leaf Extract
EmollientCannabis Sativa Seed/Stem Oil
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Malic Acid
Buffering
Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate
Skin ProtectingAloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientLecithin
Emollient
Pinus Cembra Wood Extract
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Saponaria Pumila Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingIsomalt
HumectantSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Kinetin
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Indole Acetic Acid
Skin ConditioningTropolone
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Lauryl Laurate, Niacinamide, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bakuchiol, Tulipa Gesneriana Flower Extract, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Cannabis Sativa Leaf Extract, Cannabis Sativa Seed/Stem Oil, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Malic Acid, Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Lecithin, Pinus Cembra Wood Extract, Phospholipids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Saponaria Pumila Callus Culture Extract, Lactic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Sodium Gluconate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Isomalt, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Kinetin, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Citric Acid, Indole Acetic Acid, Tropolone
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Oleyl Erucate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleyl Erucate, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Panthenol, Ectoin, Cellulose, Allantoin, Retinal, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinTocopherol (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 TocopherolThis 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 TriglycerideCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Bloom Effects Black Tulip Overnight Retinoid 56 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 0.2% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Bloom Effects Black Tulip Overnight Retinoid 56 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 0.2% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
This is BY FAR the BEST inexpensive Retinal product. Retinal 0.2% strength is the highest OTC strength you can get. Due to the Ectoin, which is an amazing ingredient that is not in the lower versions, it is much easier to handle the irritation.
Also: This one is better than The Ordinary Retinal, better ingredients and Ectoin makes it superior. It has a Clean Ingredient list and a great dupe of Show more
