Cîme Honestly Aging Retinal Serum Versus Tropic Skincare Youth Potion Enriched Retinal Complex
Updated on March 15, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, 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, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
Cîme Honestly Aging Retinal Serum 32 ingredients
Tropic Skincare Youth Potion Enriched Retinal Complex 35 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
Cîme Honestly Aging Retinal Serum 32 ingredients
Tropic Skincare Youth Potion Enriched Retinal Complex 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningTriheptanoin
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Olive Glycerides
Emulsifying
Prinsepia Utilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Bassia Butyracea Seed Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAroma
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Anisate
AntimicrobialHippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialEugenol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pentylene Glycol, Water, Triheptanoin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Olive Glycerides, Prinsepia Utilis Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Olivate, Bassia Butyracea Seed Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Gluconate, Aroma, Levulinic Acid, Tocopherol, Hexapeptide-11, Sodium Levulinate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Anisate, Hippophae Rhamnoides Kernel Extract, Citric Acid, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Retinal, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Eugenol, Linalool
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hexapeptide-11
Skin Conditioning
Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialDaemonorops Draco Extract
AstringentAstragalus Membranaceus Root Extract
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Anisate
AntimicrobialSodium Levulinate
Skin ConditioningLevulinic Acid
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPullulan
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Alkanna Tinctoria Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCitral
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Squalane, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Actinidia Chinensis Seed Oil, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopherol, Cyanocobalamin, Bakuchiol, Retinal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexapeptide-11, Spilanthes Acmella Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Daemonorops Draco Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Ubiquinone, Mauritia Flexuosa Fruit Oil, Sodium Anisate, Sodium Levulinate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Pullulan, Maltodextrin, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Madecassoside, Alkanna Tinctoria Root Extract, Citral, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceGlycerin 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 GlycerinHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.
Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.
These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.
Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.
Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.
Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed OilThis synthetic peptide is known as a signal peptide. Signal peptides tell your skin to create more collagen, elastin and protein.
Hexapeptide-11 is composed of several amino acids, including alanine.
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltrateLevulinic Acid is a fragrance that comes from the degradation of cellulose. It is a saturated fatty acid.
This ingredient is often used a building block for other compounds, such as in pharmaceuticals.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient smells like caramel.
Learn more about Levulinic AcidPentylene 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 also help thicken or stabilize a product.
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 GlycolRetinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalSodium Anisate comes from fennel. It is used as a preservative and to add flavoring.
Sodium Anisate has antimicrobial properties.
This is the synthetic salt of gluconic acid, a form of PHA and mild exfoliant.
It is mainly used to stabilize oil and butter formulations from going bad. Sodium gluconate is a humectant, pH regulator, and chelating agent.
Chelating agents help neutralize unwanted metals from affecting the formulation.
Sodium gluconate is water-soluble.
Learn more about Sodium GluconateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium levulinate is the a sodium salt of Levulinic Acid. If dissolved in an aqueous solution, the two ingredients become identical.
It is a skin conditioning agent, meaning it helps soften and hydrate your skin.
According to Cosmetic Ingredient Review, the highest amounts of sodium levulinate are found in mouthwashes at 0.62%.
Learn more about Sodium LevulinateTocopherol (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 TocopherolIngredient Ratings
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