Versus

Is Clinical Retinol+ Emulsion 0.3 Versus Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.25

Emulsion
Facial Treatment
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on April 15, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 10 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, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Retinol+ Emulsion 0.3

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-4 Cocoate

Emollient
Can worsen Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate

Emulsifying
Can worsen Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Bakuchiol

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Triethanolamine

Buffering
2 / 0

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Retinol

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Phragmites Communis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Poria Cocos Extract

Skin Conditioning

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Phosphatidylcholine

Emulsifying

Propanediol

Solvent

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Lecithin

Emollient

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Polysorbate 40

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Extract

Emollient

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Polyacrylamide

C13-16 Isoparaffin

Solvent
May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Laureth-7

Emulsifying

Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Dextran

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Colloidal Gold

Antimicrobial

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Heptyl Undecylenate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

C13-16 Isoalkane

Solvent

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Bidens Pilosa Extract

Humectant

Elaeis Guineensis Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
3 / 2 Oil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil

Perfuming
Fragrance IconOil IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycine Soja Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Disodium EDTA

Phenylpropanol

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

Cleansing

Diisopropyl Adipate

Emollient
0 / 0

Triethyl Citrate

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Skin Conditioning

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Why is retinol famous?

It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.

Retinol is proven to:

This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).

Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. 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 Retinol
Emulsifying

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 20
Masking, Skin Conditioning

This 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 Triglyceride
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.

Heptyl Undecylenate isn't fungal acne safe.

Buffering

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

Disodium 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 EDTA
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

When to use

3 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
67% use every day
17 Routines
6% use in am
94% use in pm
59% use every day