Depology Retilogy Retinal 0.1% Renewing Serum Versus Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream
Updated on May 19, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, 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, 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
Depology Retilogy Retinal 0.1% Renewing Serum 63 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 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
Depology Retilogy Retinal 0.1% Renewing Serum 63 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLaminaria Japonica Extract
Skin Protecting
Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Tromethamine
BufferingMicrocrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentCholesterol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Silica
Abrasive
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Glycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingFructooligosaccharides
Humectant
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Raffinose
Skin ConditioningSucrose Distearate
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCeteareth-20
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLecithin
Emollient
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Phloretin
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Tromethamine, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Retinal, Silica, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Glycosyl Trehalose, Fructooligosaccharides, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Beta-Glucan, Raffinose, Sucrose Distearate, Adenosine, Cellulose Gum, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceteareth-20, Polyquaternium-51, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahydropiperine, Disodium EDTA, Phloretin, Arginine
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Ceteareth-33
CleansingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientOleoyl Dipeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
BHT
Antioxidant
Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantTriethylhexanoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ceteareth-33, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Retinal, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Oleoyl Dipeptide-15, Mica, Sodium Hydroxide, Silica, BHT, Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide, Caramel, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.
AAVC is able to increase the consistency and viscosity of products due to its large molecule size. It also prevents ingredients from separating.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
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 TriglycerideCeteareth-20 is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. It is derived from cetearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.
As an emulsifier, Ceteareth-20 prevents oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant. Surfactants help gather oil, pollution, and dirt to be washed away.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTARetinal 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 RetinalSilica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.
Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.
Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.
Learn more about SilicaTocopherol (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
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Depology Retilogy Retinal 0.1% Renewing Serum 63 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
