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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone versus Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots .

Last updated on November 18, 2023. Published on August 23, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

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

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone

Starts at $22.99
Shop

Buy Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots

Starts at $19.02

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

AHA

Benefits

Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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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: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone contains this as ingredient number 7.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 8.

2
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone contains this as ingredient number 11.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

21% are loved or liked
29% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
55% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
0% 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

Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone 14 ingredients

Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 17 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum 2% Hydroquinone.

See 17 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots.

See 1 alternatives
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