Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener Versus innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule
Updated on August 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA, niacinamide, peptides, 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
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener 44 ingredients
innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 35 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener 44 ingredients
innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningKojic Acid
Antioxidant
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDecarboxy Carnosine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAminoethylphosphinic Acid
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningFructose
HumectantLactitol
HumectantGlycosaminoglycans
EmollientSalicylic Acid
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-37
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
HumectantDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Gluceth-20
HumectantMethylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
AbsorbentCaesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningSorbitol
Humectant
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Lecithin
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glycerin, Niacinamide, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Kojic Acid, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hexylene Glycol, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Aminoethylphosphinic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Fructose, Lactitol, Glycosaminoglycans, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acetyl Hexapeptide-37, Trehalose, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Methyl Gluceth-20, Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate, Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Sorbitol, Sodium Metabisulfite, Lecithin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Carbomer, Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Palmitoyl Hydroxypropyltrimonium Amylopectin/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, CI 17200
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cholesterol
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate
CleansingPropanediol
SolventDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract
Humectant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Mannitol
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
BHT
Antioxidant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cholesterol, Allantoin, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Propanediol, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Seed Extract, Asiatic Acid, Retinol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Hyaluronic Acid, Mannitol, Ceramide NP, Beta-Glucan, Beta-Carotene, Phytosphingosine, BHT, Salicylic Acid, 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 WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideRetinol 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 RetinolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidTocopheryl 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 AcetateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener 44 ingredients
innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 35 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Cantabria Labs Serum Booster Serum Pigment Lightener 44 ingredients
innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule 35 ingredients
I was told to start with a low concentration of retinol to avoid irritation, so I bought this, but it feels like the concentration is too low. It was just hydrating, almost like a regular moisture serum. Next time, I'll go for a serum with a higher retinol concentration.
