MDSolarSciences Evening Retinol Serum Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Bifida Ferment Lysate and Sodium Hyaluronate to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Nylon-12
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysilicone-11
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Ferric Hexapeptide-35
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Water
MaskingFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Extract
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTremella Fuciformis Extract
Humectant
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Vitis Vinifera Callus Culture Extract
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Sophora Flavescens Root Extract
Antioxidant
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Diatomaceous Earth
Abrasive
Rosa Moschata Seed Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
Hexylresorcinol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingEthyl Linoleate
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
ChelatingLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Polyurethane Crosspolymer-1
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenylpropanol
Masking
Water, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Retinol, Caffeine, Ferric Hexapeptide-35, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Water, Ferulic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Vitis Vinifera Callus Culture Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Zea Mays Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Proline, Diatomaceous Earth, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate-13, Hexylresorcinol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethyl Linoleate, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Polyisobutene, Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, Polyurethane Crosspolymer-1, Xanthan Gum, Phenylpropanol
Water
Skin ConditioningBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-8
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
PEG-75
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTripeptide-32
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Cola Acuminata Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningAnthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Hydrolyzed Algin
Pantethine
EmollientCaffeine
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Sodium Rna
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Oleth-3 Phosphate
SurfactantCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Oleth-3
Emulsifying
Oleth-5
Emulsifying
Choleth-24
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Surfactant
Ceteth-24
CleansingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTriethanolamine
BufferingTetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingBHT
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
ChelatingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Bifida Ferment Lysate, PEG-8, Propanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, PEG-75, Butylene Glycol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Tripeptide-32, Sodium Hyaluronate, Faex Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Pantethine, Caffeine, Lecithin, Sodium Rna, Bisabolol, Squalane, Glycerin, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleth-3, Oleth-5, Choleth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Ceteth-24, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700, CI 19140
Reviews
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 GlycolCaffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.
As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.
Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.
You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.
Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.
Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.
Learn more about CaffeineCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.
Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:
It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.
Learn more about LecithinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
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 PropanediolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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. Remember to 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 Gum
