Cipher Skincare 88mph Short Contact Remodelling Balm Versus SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum
Updated on October 07, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA, 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, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or silicones
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
Cipher Skincare 88mph Short Contact Remodelling Balm 42 ingredients
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum 42 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
Cipher Skincare 88mph Short Contact Remodelling Balm 42 ingredients
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum 42 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
EmollientFusanus Spicatus Kernel Oil
Emollient
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquicaprylate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
Humectant
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin Conditioning
Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientOlive Glycerides
Emulsifying
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningEctoin
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Hypericum Perforatum Extract
AntimicrobialPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Oryzanol
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Tripeptide-29
Skin Conditioning
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Fusanus Spicatus Kernel Oil, Phospholipids, Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquicaprylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Water, Glycereth-26, Dextrin Palmitate, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Olive Glycerides, Propanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Ectoin, Salicylic Acid, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Panthenol, Oryzanol, Madecassoside, Tocopherol, Retinal, Tripeptide-29, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Ceramide EOP, Bisabolol, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
PPG-3 Isostearyl Methyl Ether
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentNiacinamide
Smoothing
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Steareth-2
EmulsifyingEthyl Lactyl Retinoate
Abrasive
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Oligopeptide-10
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Decylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Boswellia Serrata Extract
Skin ConditioningZingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Honey Extract
Humectant
Oryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Pullulan
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Sorbitan Stearate, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, PPG-3 Isostearyl Methyl Ether, Glycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Steareth-2, Ethyl Lactyl Retinoate, Salicylic Acid, Oligopeptide-10, Sodium Hyaluronate, Decylene Glycol, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Boswellia Serrata Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Honey Extract, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Disodium EDTA, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololDimethyl 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 IsosorbideGlycerin 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 GlycerinSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
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 this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumZingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.
Ginger root has antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties.
The antioxidant properties help protect your body from free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. As a result, ginger may help slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
Studies show ginger inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also helps with:
This ingredient has no negative side-effects and is safe to use unless one has a specific allergy to it.
Ginger originates from Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It is now a common spice used in many cultures.
Learn more about Zingiber Officinale Root ExtractIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Cipher Skincare 88mph Short Contact Remodelling Balm 42 ingredients
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Clearing Serum 42 ingredients
