Meditherapy Retinal Skin Booster Serum Versus Medix 5.5 Retinol + Ferulic Acid No Added Fragrance Body Cream
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Niacinamide and Retinal 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 ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Polyglycerin-3
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Brassica Campestris Sterols
EmollientRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Potentilla Anserina Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingPolyquaternium-51
Skin Conditioning
Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Canola Oil
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
PCA
Humectant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Lactobionic Acid
Buffering
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Asiatic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Water, Methylpropanediol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Polyglycerin-3, Niacinamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Xanthan Gum, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Tromethamine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Tocopherol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Retinal, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Potentilla Anserina Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Polyquaternium-51, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Beta-Glucan, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Ceramide NP, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Canola Oil, Myristyl Alcohol, PCA, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Lactobionic Acid, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Beta-Carotene, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Sucrose Distearate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-20
CleansingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Extract
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetearyl Phosphate
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingOryza Sativa Bran Extract
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSynthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
BHT
Antioxidant
Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceteareth-20, Isopropyl Myristate, Ferulic Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Retinol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Phosphate, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Beeswax, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, BHT
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCarbomer 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 CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (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 GlycerinTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
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.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. 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
