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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream versus Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum .

Published on March 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides, 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 parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances and oils

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

Overnight Mask American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Overnight Mask

Overnight masks are usually used after the whole nighttime skincare routine (check your product’s instructions). Overnight masks are used to treat a variety of skin concerns and boost moisture in the skin.

Serum

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

Price

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
Retinoid
Vitamin E
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid (3)

Benefits

Hydrating (6)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (7)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

PHA
Retinoid
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (2)
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

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

WaterMethyl Glucose SesquistearateGlycerinDiisostearyl MalateCaprylyl Caprylate/CaprateCetearyl AlcoholButyrospermum Parkii ButterDimethiconePropylene GlycolCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetyl AlcoholBakuchiolRetinolFerulic AcidNephelium Lappaceum Leaf ExtractSodium HyaluronateSqualaneOenothera Biennis OilCeramide NgEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract Silybum Marianum ExtractPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis OilJojoba EstersSoy IsoflavonesPhospholipidsSaccharide IsomerateHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit ExtractUrsolic AcidAdenosineCamellia Japonica Seed OilHelianthus Annuus Seed OilArnica Montana Flower ExtractSalix Alba Bark ExtractPyrus Malus Fruit ExtractHydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerGlycine Soja OilTocopherolSodium Acetylated HyaluronateLactic AcidHydrolyzed Soy ProteinPentylene GlycolSodium Stearoyl GlutamateEthylhexylglycerinButylene GlycolTetrahydropiperinePolyglyceryl-4 OleateEthylhexyl OlivateGlyceryl Stearate CitrateGlyceryl CaprylateMaltodextrinSodium Acrylates CopolymerSodium PhytateCitric AcidSodium CitrateIlomastatCitrus Limon Peel ExtractCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit ExtractLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem ExtractPhenoxyethanolBenzyl AlcoholSodium BenzoatePotassium Sorbate

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream contains this as ingredient number 43.

Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

6
What it does: Absorbent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.

In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.

As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.

Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.

Learn more about Maltodextrin

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream contains this as ingredient number 52.

Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.

7
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream contains this as ingredient number 63.

Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

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

35% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
16% 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

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream 63 ingredients

Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum 32 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

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