Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum versus PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night .
Last updated on September 18, 2023. Published on September 28, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid and Vitamin E
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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Price
Ingredient Info
COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum 23 ingredients
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night 34 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum 23 ingredients
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night 34 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum 23 ingredients
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night 34 ingredients
Calendula Officinalis Extract • Butylene Glycol • Glycerin • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • 1,2-Hexanediol • Polysorbate 60 • Betaine • Dimethicone • Cetearyl Alcohol • Retinyl Palmitate • Cetearyl Olivate • Panthenol • Arachis Hypogaea Oil • Sorbitan Olivate • Allantoin • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Xanthan Gum • Juniperus Mexicana Oil • Ethylhexylglycerin • Adenosine • Tocopherol
Water • Isododecane • Cyclopentasiloxane • Niacinamide • Propanediol • Dimethicone • Peg-12 Glyceryl Dimyristate • Glycerin • Tapioca Starch Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Cetearyl Alcohol • Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid • Pentylene Glycol • Polysilicone-11 • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Hexylresorcinol • Coco-Caprylate • Resveratrol • Phenoxyethanol • Retinol • Polysorbate 20 • Butylene Glycol • Sodium Polyacrylate • Caprylyl Glycol • Ethylhexyl Stearate • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer • Xanthan Gum • Chlorphenesin • Sodium Citrate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Trideceth-6 • Disodium EDTA • Decyl Glucoside • Aminomethyl Propanol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene 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.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night contains this as ingredient number 22.
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 GlycerinCOSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night contains this as ingredient number 8.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.
COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night contains this as ingredient number 6.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCOSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night contains this as ingredient number 10.
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 AcetateCOSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night contains this as ingredient number 30.
Xanthan 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 GumCOSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night contains this as ingredient number 27.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum 23 ingredients
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night 34 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum 23 ingredients
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night 34 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 31 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum.
See 31 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 34 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night.
See 34 alternatives
