Versus

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate - US Versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum

Serum
Serum
French Brand France
American Brand United States

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols and silicones

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

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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Skin Renewing Retinol Serum

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.

Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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 Gum

When to use

297 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
98 Routines
8% use in am
92% use in pm
73% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate 24 ingredients

4.8 /5
from 8 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Expensive (2) Light (2)
mrsmatt12's avatar

mrsmatt12

2 years ago
Review

I've been using this for years and consistently get compliments on my 58 yr old skin

juliebarrett's avatar

julie barrett

8 months ago
Review

It makes my skin feel amazing. I get flaky angry patches sometime, I rub some genefique on at night and by morning it's gone or almost gone. Everyone I know has Said my skin looks so much better. They don't know I started using this. It also cleared up poison ivy that I had on my arms for weeks. I got desperate and used the genifique. It was almost gone the next day. This is expensive but worth Show more

#expensive
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Great Value (1) Works Well (1)
Mac_R's avatar

Mac_R

2 years ago
Review

Good for sensitive skin
I have tried many retinols, and retinol alternatives, and everything has burned my skin for days after each patch test. this is a great starter retinol product, or even just as a low dosage retinol if you arent too concerned with fine lines just yet. Use once a week currently and use it stand alone from my daily skin care routine just because it has so many good Show more