Versus

ISANA Bakuchiol Serum Versus Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum

Serum
Facial Treatment
German Brand Germany
Hungarian Brand Hungary

Updated on March 27, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 6 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

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

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

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
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.

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
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.

Buffering, Masking

Citric 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 Acid

When to use

5 Routines
20% use in am
80% use in pm
40% use every other_day
258 Routines
4% use in am
96% use in pm
60% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

ISANA Bakuchiol Serum 19 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
Amarantha's avatar

Amarantha

8 months ago
Review

Didn't have the chance to properly test this one. Used it once and the next day I saw some small bumps on my face. I'm not 100% sure but it might be unsuitable for acne prone skin.

Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 7 ratings
Great Value (4) Works Well (4) Absorbs Well (3)
AnaG's avatar

AnaG

1 year ago
Review

Great retinal for the price. I find retinal less irritating then retinol. It can be my skin though.

#irritating
#absorbs well
#works well
ThomasvV's avatar

Thomas VV

4 months ago
Review

This is an absolutely brilliant and cheap Retinal product. Clean Ingredient list and a great dupe of the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10.

It helped me with:
- acne
- structure
- minor fine lines (I am 25y)

My advice is to start with AGame 5 First!! Then rotate with AGame 10 and finally only use AGame 10 (or even upgrade to AGame 20 in the same way)

In the end: Use It 5/6 times a week with Show more

#great value
#heavy
#absorbs well
#no scent