Dr. Diamond's Metacine InstaFacial Emulsion Versus ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 7 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, 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 oils and silicones
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. Diamond's Metacine InstaFacial Emulsion 35 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener 49 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Dr. Diamond's Metacine InstaFacial Emulsion 35 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener 49 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Squalane
Emollient
Cyclic Lysophosphatidic Acid
HumectantSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingGlycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientDimethiconol
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Myristoyl Nonapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phospholipids, Sodium Phytate, Squalane, Cyclic Lysophosphatidic Acid, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Lecithin, Dimethiconol, Citric Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Polysorbate 60, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Isononanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Steareth-20
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
Masking
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Propylheptyl Caprylate
EmollientBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientPolyisobutene
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glutathione
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBisabolol
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Water, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Pentylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Bakuchiol, Acetyl Glucosamine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Lecithin, Polyisobutene, Alcohol, Glutathione, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Bisabolol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Polysorbate 80, BHT, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Gluconolactone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Soy Isoflavones, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Coumarin
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 WaterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlycerin 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 GlycerinTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPentylene 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 also help thicken or stabilize a product.
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 GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Diamond's Metacine InstaFacial Emulsion 35 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener 49 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Diamond's Metacine InstaFacial Emulsion 35 ingredients
ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener 49 ingredients
I can’t believe my cosmetologist prescribed me this. Following the exact routine she prescribed with ZO skin this was the thing that ruined whatever progress I had. My skin was breaking out for months and not just the purging type, but got proper red sores on neck etc from irritation. Had to stop, still mourning over the price. But I mean it did ease up my wrinkles. But never use on sensitive Show more
