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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Retinol Complex Serum versus Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on April 02, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, retinoid and Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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.

Serum American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

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

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Retinol Complex Serum

Shop

Buy Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum

Starts at $21.99

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
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

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

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

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

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

Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.

It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.

Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.

Using retinol and retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. 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

Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
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

Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
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

Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

6
What it does: Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.

Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.

These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.

Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.

Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.

Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Naturium Retinol Complex Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

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

30% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet
52% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
16% 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

Naturium Retinol Complex Serum 27 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Lakooo's avatar

Lakooo

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

Great product
The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is because it's not quite gentle enough to put around the eyes, nostrils, and lips. If you...

Great product
The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is because it's not quite gentle enough to put around the eyes, nostrils, and lips. If you want retinol for acne, this is the one! If you want retinol for wrinkles and fine lines, you will also need a retinol eye cream

Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum 31 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Irritating (1)
NoufQ's avatar

NoufQ

1 month ago · Normal Skin
Review

Great product. One of the few products I feel I saw a visible difference with pretty quickly.

Despite being a retinol, never had issues...

Great product. One of the few products I feel I saw a visible difference with pretty quickly.

Despite being a retinol, never had issues reacting to this or experiencing dryness. On the contrary, I actually found this pretty moisturising and it absorbs pretty quickly.
It also plays well with other products & never pilled on me.

I really recommend this whether you’re new to retinols or not. Went through 2 bottles and was midway through my third when I had to cut this out of my routine (as I’ve been on tretinoin for about a year now😭). I just finished another bottle I was using on my neck and chest & might pick up the body lotion version to test out.

I recommended this product to my guy friend in 2022. Here’s a pic of his current routine🥹

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