Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum Versus Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum
Updated on June 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones 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
Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum 33 ingredients
Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum 22 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
Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum 33 ingredients
Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lysolecithin
EmulsifyingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPullulan
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Erythritol
Humectant
Carrageenan
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Astringent
Cananga Odorata Flower Water
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77015
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Glycerin, Propanediol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Citric Acid, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pullulan, Silica, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Erythritol, Carrageenan, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Isopentyldiol, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Water, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tin Oxide, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, CI 77891, CI 77015
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Water, Squalane, Cetyl Alcohol, Jojoba Esters, Propanediol, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Dextrin, Retinol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid
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 GlycerinPropanediol 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 PropanediolPyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractCitric 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 AcidXanthan 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 GumSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate is a type of Hyaluronic Acid.
Hyaluronic Acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read about common types of Hyaluronic Acid here: Sodium Hyaluronate Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Hyaluronic Acid
Learn more about Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateThis ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.
You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.
According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:
One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.
Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.
This ingredient is water-soluble.
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent.
Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.
Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum 33 ingredients
Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum 22 ingredients
