COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream Versus TruSkin Retinol Facial Serum
Updated on January 31, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, 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 common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
TruSkin Retinol Facial Serum 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
TruSkin Retinol Facial Serum 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Trehalose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol 0.3%
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Retinol 0.3%, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Sulfite, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Allantoin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Tocotrienols, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Myristic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Lauric Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf
Masking
Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPelargonium Graveolens Oil
Masking
Taraxacum Officinale Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Lecithin
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Retinol, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Propolis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil, Taraxacum Officinale Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Ethylcellulose, Carrageenan, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Alcohol, Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 GlycerinTocopherol (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 TocopherolRetinol 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 RetinolEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
TruSkin Retinol Facial Serum 23 ingredients
