Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum Versus Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and peptides
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens 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
Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum 64 ingredients
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 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
Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum 64 ingredients
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Silica
Abrasive
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Secale Cereale Seed Extract
Abrasive
Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSchisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture
Antioxidant
Pisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate
HumectantCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Polysorbate 40
Emulsifying
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingRose Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Extract
CleansingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Santalum Album Wood Extract
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCananga Odorata Flower Extract
Perfuming
Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCoriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract
AntiseborrhoeicCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Chloride
Masking
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Triethanolamine
BufferingDihydroxy Methylchromone
Antioxidant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientIodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Magnesium Chloride
Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Glycerin, Silica, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Pentylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Pisum Sativum Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 40, Menthyl Lactate, Rose Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Santalum Album Wood Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract, Sodium Chloride, Cyclohexasiloxane, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, Dihydroxy Methylchromone, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Chloride
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Isopentyldiol, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Butylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract is extract from Apples. Apples are rich in Vitamin C, sugars, and antioxidants.
The sugar in Apples are humectants and help hydrate the skin. On top of that, apples also contain some acids, such as malic acid. These acids may have a mild exfoliating effect.
Last, the phytochemicals found in apples are strong antioxidants. These antioxidants help with anti-aging as they protect your skin cells against oxidative damage.
Learn more about Pyrus Malus Fruit ExtractWater. 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 WaterXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum 64 ingredients
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 ingredients
