e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum Versus Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain 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 common allergens, parabens, silicones 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
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum 38 ingredients
Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum 32 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
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum 38 ingredients
Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
PEG-8
HumectantBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Diglycerin
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Lecithin
Emollient
Tromethamine
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Bisabolol
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Glycerin
Humectant
Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSea Water
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Algin
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
Sucrose
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Glucoside
CleansingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Water, Propanediol, PEG-8, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Diglycerin, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Lecithin, Tromethamine, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Retinal, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract, Sea Water, Maltodextrin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Algin, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Sucrose, Carbomer, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Bisabolol
Masking
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Michelia Alba Flower Oil
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citrus Grandis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Niacinamide, Cyclodextrin, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Gluconolactone, Squalane, Bisabolol, Ceramide NP, Michelia Alba Flower Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Retinal, Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Maltodextrin, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Gluconate, Polysorbate 20, Citrus Grandis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Alcohol, Alcohol Denat.
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 WaterBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololSodium 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 HyaluronateRetinal 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 RetinalGlycerin 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 GlycerinMaltodextrin 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 MaltodextrinSodium 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 BenzoateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum 38 ingredients
Maelove Moonlight Retinal Super Serum 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
e.l.f. cosmetics Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum 38 ingredients
This is a holy grail for me!! I bought it after watching one of Dr.Idriss’ videos and I have been using it since. Great for people who have sensitive skin/new to retinoids. It’s not irritating for me and I see results the day after.
