Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment
Updated on February 12, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, niacinamide and Vitamin C
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, 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum 38 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment 44 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum 38 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment 44 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientLactic Acid
Buffering
Sd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Collagen Amino Acids
Moisturising
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Glycine
Buffering
Carnitine Hcl
HumectantUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Hexylresorcinol
AntimicrobialEmblica Officinalis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Soy Protein
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Isoquercetin
Antioxidant
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Pueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Phytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Denatonium Benzoate
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Lactic Acid, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ascorbic Acid, Collagen Amino Acids, Superoxide Dismutase, Glycine, Carnitine Hcl, Ubiquinone, Hexylresorcinol, Emblica Officinalis Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Isoquercetin, Mandelic Acid, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, T-Butyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 80, Denatonium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Propanediol
SolventCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Phytic Acid
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingOctoxynol-9
EmulsifyingArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningOleth-10
EmulsifyingPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Retinol, Bakuchiol, Nephelium Lappaceum Leaf Extract, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Silybum Marianum Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Phospholipids, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Adenosine, Evodia Rutaecarpa Fruit Extract, Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phytic Acid, Tocopherol, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Pvm/Ma Decadiene Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Arachidyl Glucoside, Octoxynol-9, Arachidyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Oleth-10, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Ascorbate, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidMandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.
As an AHA, Mandelic Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Mandelic Acid may be an alternative to Glycolic Acid for those with sensitive skin.
Mandelic Acid may help reduce wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidPhytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.
The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, much like lactic acid.
In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.
An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Phytic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxidePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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.
It 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 BenzoatePotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateIngredient Ratings
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Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum 38 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment 44 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Vitamin C Serum 38 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment 44 ingredients
My god this stuff is stinky
Update: I can’t focus, or really care at this point, on any results this may have because the smell is so terrible. I have a little bit more of the sample of this left and honestly I think I’m just gonna throw it away 🤢
