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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener versus Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) .

Last updated on October 04, 2023. Published on April 14, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide, retinoid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum Spanish Brand Spain
Serum Spanish Brand Spain

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Retinoid (2)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (4)
Redness Reducing (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (4)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (5)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (4)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying (3)
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid (2)
Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators (2)
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (4)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (5)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (3)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying (3)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Dimethyl 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 Isosorbide

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 2.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 7.

2
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide 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 Niacinamide

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 4.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 10.

3
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate is created from polyethylene glycol and fatty acids from coconut oil.

It is a synthetic polymer with emulsifying and cleansing properties.

As an emulsifier, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate prevents ingredients such as oils and water from separating. It also helps rinse away oils, dirt, and pollutants from skin.

Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate may not be fungal acne safe. It can also dry out skin.

Learn more about Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 5.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 8.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

This 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 Retinoate

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 9.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 17.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Why is retinol famous?

It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.

Retinol is proven to:

This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).

Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.

We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.

Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.

Read about Tretinoin

Learn more about Retinol

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 10.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 16.

6
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 12.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 25.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 18.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 9.

8
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 23.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 19.

9
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is a form of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C helps reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.

Your skin uses Vitamin C to produce collagen and collagen production plays a role in having a strong skin barrier and having plump skin. As an antioxidant, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate also helps reduce the signs of aging such as fine-lines and wrinkles.

Studies show Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is more stable when combined with stabilizing ingredients.

VItamin C helps brighten skin by blocking the process of skin darkening.

Read more about other types of Vitamin C:

Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 24.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 22.

10
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener contains this as ingredient number 40.

Cantabria Labs Endocare Renewal Retinol Intensive Serum (0.5% Retinol) contains this as ingredient number 24.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

45% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
19% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet
34% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

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