Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum Versus Goodal Black Carrot Vita-A Retinol Firming Cream
Updated on April 15, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 9 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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens 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
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
Goodal Black Carrot Vita-A Retinol Firming Cream 69 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
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
Goodal Black Carrot Vita-A Retinol Firming Cream 69 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Oleyl Erucate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleyl Erucate, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Allantoin, Retinal, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract 20%
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Vinyldimethicone
Euphorbia Cerifera Wax
Candelilla Cera
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Canola Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Methylpropanediol
SolventPropanediol
Solvent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Tetrahydropiperine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningPhloretin
Antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Arginine
Masking
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract 20%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Vinyldimethicone, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Candelilla Cera, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Betaine, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Canola Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Jojoba Esters, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Beta-Glucan, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dimethiconol, Trisiloxane, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Polyglycerin-3, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Ectoin, Retinol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Tocopherol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Tetrahydropiperine, Potassium Hyaluronate, Phloretin, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Beta-Carotene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Arginine, Phenylpropanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol
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 GlycerinCetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Due to its olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivatePanthenol 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 PanthenolTocopheryl 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 AcetateDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
Goodal Black Carrot Vita-A Retinol Firming Cream 69 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
Yes baby, this is the good stuff! When I switched from retinol to this my skincare journey changed completely. In my opinion it’s more effective and a lot less harsh on my skin (coming for someone who has sensitive skin). This is unscented which is also great. Affordable compared to other A-vitamin products out there. Definitely recommend!
This is my opinion is a highly underrated product. It's truly amazing for my dry, eczema and rosacea prone skin. I saw improvement in just 2 weeks! The fine lines are fading and my skin feels more firm like I have had a face lift. It's honestly amazing i experienced no purging or break outs using this and love that it has no scent and the packaging is not opaque and has a pump. I found that one Show more
