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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum versus Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum .

Published on July 21, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and reef safe . They have a total of 5 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, 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

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment Hungarian Brand Hungary
Serum American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum

Shop

Buy Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

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 Triglyceride

Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Retinal 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 Retinal

Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Acid

Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

42% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
32% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet
55% are loved or liked
25% have mixed ratings
5% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Great Value (2) Light (2) No Scent (2) Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1)
sword's avatar

sword

5 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Changed My Skin Completely
This retinal is genuinely amazing. It's one of the only noncomedogenic retinoids that I've found, and it has such a...

Changed My Skin Completely
This retinal is genuinely amazing. It's one of the only noncomedogenic retinoids that I've found, and it has such a small percentage of retinal that it's very well suited for beginners, especially those with sensitive skin. It has a very light lotion texture that absorbs very easily. I had a very short and light purge - it lasted about a week and a half and I only had some whiteheads, nothing intense. I started using it every third night, but now I'm using it every other night because it's gentle enough that my skin can take it that frequently. But the changes to my skin are VERY noticeable. My skin is almost completely clear, it's less oily, my acne scars are fading very quickly, and my pores have shrunk SO much I didn't think it was even possible for my skin to look like this. This product is absolutely incredible.

elinstrandh's avatar

elinstrandh

3 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

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...

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!

Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients

Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

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