Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum Versus It's Skin Retinoidin Serum
Updated on March 08, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 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 common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols
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
Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum 29 ingredients
It's Skin Retinoidin Serum 35 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum 29 ingredients
It's Skin Retinoidin Serum 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Tricaprylin
Masking
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Silica Silylate
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Magnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
HumectantC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Betaine
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantTromethamine
BufferingGlycereth-25 PCA Isostearate
Emulsifying
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Tricaprylin, Retinol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica Silylate, Silica, Magnesium Stearate, Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglycerin-3, C12-14 Pareth-12, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Carbomer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Tromethamine, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientMethyl Glucose Sesquistearate
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polyacrylamide
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaramel
Cosmetic ColorantTromethamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLaureth-7
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Emollient
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCholesterol
Emollient
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearic Acid, Squalane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Niacinamide, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Adenosine, Carbomer, Caramel, Tromethamine, Xanthan Gum, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Ceramide NP, CI 19140, Cholesterol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 RetinolWater. 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.Â
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 PropanediolButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Xanthan 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 GumEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.
As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.
Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.
1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-
Learn more about TromethamineIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum 29 ingredients
It's Skin Retinoidin Serum 35 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Retinol Fast-Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum 29 ingredients
I waited for a year before leaving a review of this. I can safely say that this is my holy grail retinoid product. I have tried G&G A game retinal, prescription tret and yet none of them suits my skin better than this. The improvement of my skin texture is incredible and despite having alcohol content (low on the ingredients list), it is not irritating. I use this every 2nd night, and works really Show more
