Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Fourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum versus Naturium Retinol Complex Serum .
Published on April 20, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Fourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum 28 ingredients
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum 27 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Fourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum 28 ingredients
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum 27 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Fourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum 28 ingredients
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum 27 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Polysorbate 20 • Isododecane • Propanediol • Retinol • Bakuchiol • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Sucrose Laurate • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11 • Caprylyl Glycol • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Trisodium EDTA • Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer • Inulin Lauryl Carbamate • Citric Acid • Behentrimonium Chloride • Potassium Sorbate • Xanthan Gum • Benzoic Acid • Dehydroacetic Acid • Disodium EDTA • Ethylhexylglycerin • Hexylene Glycol • Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Phenoxyethanol • CI 60730 • CI 14700
Water • Propanediol • Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter • Gossypium Herbaceum Fruit Water • Retinol • Glycerin • Bakuchiol • Bidens Pilosa Extract • Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil • Humulus Lupulus Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Tocopherol • Caprylyl Glycol • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Copernicia Cerifera Wax • Phenoxyethanol • Carbomer • Potassium Sorbate • Xanthan Gum • Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate • Hexylene Glycol • Citric Acid • Sodium Hydroxide • Polysorbate 20 • Glyceryl Polyacrylate • 1,2-Hexanediol • Ethyl Ferulate
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Fourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
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 PropanediolFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.
It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.
Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.
Using retinol and 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.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant (it's vegan!). It is often called the replacement for retinol although it is not part of the same family.
It has similar effects as retinol: skin smoothing, reducing discoloration, and preventing wrinkles. It does not cause as much irritation as traditional retinoids.
Bakuchiol works by breaking down free radicals and stimulating collagen production in skin.
Combining bakuchiol with retinol will not have adverse side effects. Studies show using them will just boost the benefits. Bakuchiol is also found to help stabilize retinol.
While bakuchiol does not make the skin more sun sensitive, we recommend wearing SPF on a daily basis.
Read more about traditional retinol
Learn more about BakuchiolFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Caprylyl 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 GlycolFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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.
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 look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
Xanthan 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 GumFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolFourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
Fourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Fourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum 28 ingredients
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum 27 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Fourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum 28 ingredients
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Fourth Ray Beauty Renew Retinol Bakuchiol Face Serum 28 ingredients
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum 27 ingredients
Lakooo
Great product
The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is because it's not quite gentle enough to put around the eyes, nostrils, and lips. If you...
Great product
The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is because it's not quite gentle enough to put around the eyes, nostrils, and lips. If you want retinol for acne, this is the one! If you want retinol for wrinkles and fine lines, you will also need a retinol eye cream
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