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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream versus Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream .

Last updated on December 29, 2023. Published on November 03, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Night Moisturizer South Korean Brand South Korea
Serum American Brand United States

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Peptides (3)

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

WaterGlycerinOctyldodecanolButylene GlycolCyclodextrinButyrospermum Parkii ButterNiacinamideGlycereth-26C15-23 AlkaneLimnanthes Alba Seed OilDiethoxyethyl SuccinateGlyceryl StearatePalmitic AcidArachidyl AlcoholCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideMacadamia Ternifolia Seed OilStearic Acid1,2-HexanediolDiisostearyl MalateHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine PullulanHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerBehenyl AlcoholBakuchiolHydroxyacetophenoneBetaineJojoba EstersArachidyl GlucosideDipropylene GlycolPolysorbate 20PanthenolAlcohol Denat.Cetearyl OlivateRetinolC13-14 AlkaneSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate CopolymerSorbitan OleateHydroxypropyl MethylcellulosePolyisobuteneSodium PolyacrylatePeg-5 Rapeseed SterolBrassica Campestris SterolsBHTCitrus Nobilis Peel ExtractXanthan GumCeteth-5Ceteth-3AdenosinePolysorbate 60Sorbitan IsostearateCholesterolDipotassium GlycyrrhizateCaprylyl/Capryl GlucosidePotassium Cetyl PhosphateMyristic AcidCrithmum Maritimum ExtractArachidic AcidGlucosePorphyridium Cruentum ExtractCaprylyl GlycolHexapeptide-61 DimerOleic AcidCopper Tripeptide-1Disodium EDTAAcetyl Tetrapeptide-15TocopherolCitric Acid

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

4
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

6
What it does: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant (it's vegan!). It is often called the replacement for retinol although it is not part of the same family.

It has similar effects as retinol: skin smoothing, reducing discoloration, and preventing wrinkles. It does not cause as much irritation as traditional retinoids.

Bakuchiol works by breaking down free radicals and stimulating collagen production in skin.

Combining bakuchiol with retinol will not have adverse side effects. Studies show using them will just boost the benefits. Bakuchiol is also found to help stabilize retinol.

While bakuchiol does not make the skin more sun sensitive, we recommend wearing SPF on a daily basis.

Read more about traditional retinol

Learn more about Bakuchiol

Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Why is retinol famous?

It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.

Retinol is proven to:

This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).

Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.

We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.

Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.

Read about Tretinoin

Learn more about Retinol

Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream contains this as ingredient number 34.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

8
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream contains this as ingredient number 66.

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

27% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
21% have no rating yet
46% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Mizon 0.3% Retinol Youth Cream 67 ingredients

0.3% Retinol Youth Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream 24 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Qinasofree's avatar

Qinasofree

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Good beginner retinol
Been using it for almost a year, and this one tube is plenty. Just remember the precautions you need to take while wearing...

Good beginner retinol
Been using it for almost a year, and this one tube is plenty. Just remember the precautions you need to take while wearing retinol (wearing sunscreen is a must, no acids or vit c on the day you are wearing it). I noticed my acne scars are fading.

TimWizard's avatar

TimWizard

3 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

This triggered seborrheic dermatitis all over my face. I never had trouble with this until I used this. Now I have to use dandruff shampoo to treat...

This triggered seborrheic dermatitis all over my face. I never had trouble with this until I used this. Now I have to use dandruff shampoo to treat the problem. :,(

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