CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum Versus Skin Functional The Powerful Vitamin A 0.1% Retinaldehyde
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and retinoid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens
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
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients
Skin Functional The Powerful Vitamin A 0.1% Retinaldehyde 13 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients
Skin Functional The Powerful Vitamin A 0.1% Retinaldehyde 13 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide 3
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide 6 Ii
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide 1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Polysorbate 20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-40 Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Tocopherol, Niacinamide, Alcohol, Retinol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 Ii, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Ceramide 1
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 GlycerinThis 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 TriglyceridePhenoxyethanol 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients
Skin Functional The Powerful Vitamin A 0.1% Retinaldehyde 13 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients
Going back to Cerave's Resurfacing retinol. This bottle seemed less product than that. I don't think it worked as hard as the other retinol serum to prevent breakouts. Renewal had an unattractive yellow color, and a strange texture that takes a long time to sink in. Don't plan to repurchase this.
