Medik8 Crystal Retinal Versus Elizabeth Arden RETINOL + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin Renewing Serum
This anti-aging serum is formulated around 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
This anti-aging treatment is formulated around Ceramide NP and Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientCetearyl Olivate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentSqualane
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Alumina
Abrasive
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract
Masking
Coumarin
Perfuming
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cyclodextrin, Squalane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Retinal, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Alumina, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Polyaspartate, Pentylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 60, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Sorbitan Isostearate, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract, Coumarin, CI 14700, CI 77891
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Diisopropyl Adipate
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester
EmollientC18-36 Acid Triglyceride
EmollientCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Colloidal Oatmeal
Absorbent
Farnesol
Perfuming
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Silica Silylate
Emollient
Sorbitan Laurate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Diisopropyl Adipate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bisabolol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, C18-36 Acid Glycol Ester, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Colloidal Oatmeal, Farnesol, Glycine Soja Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Phytosphingosine, Retinol, Silica Silylate, Sorbitan Laurate, Tocopheryl Acetate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Tocopheryl Acetate is a stable, shelf-friendly form of vitamin E.
Formulators love it because plain vitamin E oxidizes quickly once it hits air. This acetate version stays stable and resists going off, helping to extend a product's shelf life.
It's actually inactive on its own and works like a slow-release "storage" form; the enzymes in your skin called esterases gradually convert it into active vitamin E over time.
One in vivo study showed 5% of the acetate in the living layer of the epidermis converted to vitamin E after 5 days of application. This study also found the skin gained protection against UV damage even though the conversion was slow and small.
Once converted, vitamin E acts as a skin's main fat-soluble antioxidant that fights free radicals to protect skin from damage.
Topical vitamin E generally boosts the skin's photoprotection, and it reduced UV-damage in animal models.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
Overall, it has a pretty solid safety profile and has been found to be non-irritating and non-comedogenic. Allergic reactions may happen but stay rare due to how widely the ingredient gets used.
The concentration will vary depending on the formula; industry data shows 0.1% in baby lotions, 3% in lipsticks, and 5% in foot powders. You can also find this ingredient at 100% in a pure vitamin E oil.
Most leave-on skincare keeps it at the lower end, often between 0.5-1%.
Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
