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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum versus SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream .

Published on September 12, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide, 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, parabens 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.

Serum American Brand United States

Serum

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

Facial Treatment

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

Price

Shop

Buy Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum

Shop

Buy Cicanoid Retinal Cream

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
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

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid (2)
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators (2)
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (6)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (3)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

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

WaterCaprylic AcidEthylhexyl PalmitateGlycerinButyrospermum Parkii ButterDicaprylyl CarbonateNiacinamidePentylene GlycolHydrogenated PolydecenePhenyl Trimethicone1,2-HexanediolMacadamia Ternifolia Seed OilRetinalMelia Azadirachta Flower ExtractMelia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractCurcuma Longa Root ExtractOcimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractCorallina Officinalis ExtractHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidCentella Asiatica Extract Glycine Soja OilPinus Pinaster Bark ExtractPolyglyceryl-6 StearateSynthetic BeeswaxCetearyl OlivateSorbitan OlivateSilicaButylene GlycolPanthenolSorbitan StearateHydrogenated LecithinHydroxyacetophenoneAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate CrosspolymerPentaerythrityl DistearateSodium CaprylatePalmitic AcidPolyisobuteneStearic AcidPolyglyceryl-6 BehenateCholesterolBakuchiolBrassica Campestris SterolsAdenosineCeteth-3Ceteth-5Dipotassium GlycyrrhizateTocopherolAluminaTocopheryl AcetateSodium PhytateCaprylyl CaprylatePotassium Cetyl PhosphateSorbitan OleatePentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl HydroxyhydrocinnamateAllantoinMadecassosideCeramide NPRetinolStearyl AlcoholCetyl AlcoholMyristyl AlcoholLauryl AlcoholDisodium EDTAPeg-5 Rapeseed Sterol

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

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

SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

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

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.

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

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

SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

4
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

5
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

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

SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream contains this as ingredient number 48.

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

55% are loved or liked
25% have mixed ratings
5% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet
45% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
34% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Italic Future Perfect 0.5% Retinal Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 16 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream.

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