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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil versus Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream .

Last updated on December 29, 2023. Published on December 06, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 3 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, silicones 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 need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment South Korean Brand South Korea
Serum American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy The Retinol 0.5 Oil

Starts at $16.29
Shop

Buy Gentle Retinol Cream

Starts at $8.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.

It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.

Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.

Using retinol and 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.

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 Retinol

COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil contains this as ingredient number 4.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

2
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

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 Triglyceride

COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil contains this as ingredient number 5.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

3
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (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 Tocopherol

COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil contains this as ingredient number 8.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

40% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
30% are disliked or very disliked
20% have no rating yet
42% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients

1.5 /5
from 2 reviews
SpaceyTrxsh's Avatar'
Jan 9, 2024

Bought this for my face but saw zero results. Now I'm using this for my uner eyes.

Bought this for my face but saw zero results. Now I'm using this for my uner eyes.

Expensive
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
Light Scent
JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352's Avatar'
Jun 6, 2023

Broke me out
I have oily and acne prone skin and my face was on the road to recovery. I thought adding a retinol was a good idea and they marketed that this retinol oil is good for any skin type even though it is oily. It broke me out...

Broke me out
I have oily and acne prone skin and my face was on the road to recovery. I thought adding a retinol was a good idea and they marketed that this retinol oil is good for any skin type even though it is oily. It broke me out and gave me a scar within a week. It gave me an acne that was deep inside of my skin. I wouldnt recommend it to oily and acne prone skin people.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream 24 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 4 reviews
Qinasofree's Avatar'
Jan 2, 2023

Good beginner retinol
Been using it for almost a year, and this one tube is plenty. Just remember the precautions you need to take while wearing retinol (wearing sunscreen is a must, no acids or vit c on the day you are wearing it). I...

Good beginner retinol
Been using it for almost a year, and this one tube is plenty. Just remember the precautions you need to take while wearing retinol (wearing sunscreen is a must, no acids or vit c on the day you are wearing it). I noticed my acne scars are fading.

TimWizard's Avatar'
Feb 21, 2024

This triggered seborrheic dermatitis all over my face. I never had trouble with this until I used this. Now I have to use dandruff shampoo to treat the problem. :,(

This triggered seborrheic dermatitis all over my face. I never had trouble with this until I used this. Now I have to use dandruff shampoo to treat the problem. :,(

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