First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Serum .25% Pure Concentrate Versus Glossier Universal Pro-Retinol
Updated on February 09, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
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
First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Serum .25% Pure Concentrate 35 ingredients
Glossier Universal Pro-Retinol 31 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Serum .25% Pure Concentrate 35 ingredients
Glossier Universal Pro-Retinol 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Persea Gratissima Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Colloidal Oatmeal
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides
Skin Conditioning
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Oleic Acid
Emollient
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
EmollientStearic Acid
Cleansing
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentBHT
Antioxidant
BHA
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Polysorbate 80, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima Oil, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Retinol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Colloidal Oatmeal, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NP, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Linoleic Acid, Allantoin, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Triolein, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Stearic Acid, Maltodextrin, BHT, BHA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientC13-15 Alkane
SolventCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Olivate
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBetaine
Humectant
Retinyl Sunflowerseedate
Skin Conditioning
Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingOphiopogon Japonicus Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycol Stearate
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMaltodextrin
AbsorbentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBenzoic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, C13-15 Alkane, Cetyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Olivate, Coconut Alkanes, Sorbitan Olivate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Betaine, Retinyl Sunflowerseedate, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycol Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
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 WaterThis 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 TriglycerideGlycerin 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 GlycerinTocopherol (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 TocopherolAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumMaltodextrin 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 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 HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Serum .25% Pure Concentrate 35 ingredients
Glossier Universal Pro-Retinol 31 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
