Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum Versus Bliss Mighty Biome Pre/Post Biotics + Barrier Aid™ Toner + Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, ceramides 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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 44 ingredients
Bliss Mighty Biome Pre/Post Biotics + Barrier Aid™ Toner + Serum 32 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 44 ingredients
Bliss Mighty Biome Pre/Post Biotics + Barrier Aid™ Toner + Serum 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingIsopentyldiol
HumectantTrioctyldodecyl Citrate
EmollientCitrullus Lanatus Seed Oil
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCopernicia Cerifera Wax
Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
Bisabolol
Masking
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningEthyl Ferulate
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingArginine
Masking
Propanediol
SolventCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientInulin
Skin ConditioningDisodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Cellulose
AbsorbentFructose
HumectantGlucose
HumectantSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopentyldiol, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Citrullus Lanatus Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Triolein, Retinal, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Pongamia Glabra Seed Oil, Glyceryl Dioleate, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Ethyl Ferulate, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Arginine, Propanediol, Cellulose Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Ubiquinone, Lactic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl Glycol, Inulin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Cellulose, Fructose, Glucose, Sorbitan Isostearate, Xanthan Gum
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventCocoglycerides
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningLactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Water, Propanediol, Cocoglycerides, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Magnesium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Ceramide NP, Squalane, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glycine Soja Oil, Zinc PCA, Lactic Acid, Allantoin, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hexylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Aminomethyl Propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride
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 GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglyceridePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolCeramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolLactic 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 AcidCaprylyl 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 GlycolCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 44 ingredients
Bliss Mighty Biome Pre/Post Biotics + Barrier Aid™ Toner + Serum 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 44 ingredients
Bliss Mighty Biome Pre/Post Biotics + Barrier Aid™ Toner + Serum 32 ingredients
Looking for a thick, milky, glaze-y toner? This is great! Unscented, feels great on the skin, but not too oily/greasy. I also am a big fan of Bliss' sustainable and recyclable metal packaging.
