Necessaire The Body Vitamin C Versus Necessaire The Body Retinol
Updated on February 18, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, niacinamide, Vitamin C 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 harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Necessaire The Body Vitamin C 27 ingredients
Necessaire The Body Retinol 48 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Necessaire The Body Vitamin C 27 ingredients
Necessaire The Body Retinol 48 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Illite
Abrasive
Bromelain
Skin ConditioningPapain
Skin ConditioningSuperoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingC15-23 Alkane
SolventC13-14 Alkane
SolventGlucose
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Niacinamide, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Tranexamic Acid, Tocopherol, Illite, Bromelain, Papain, Superoxide Dismutase, Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Decyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Tromethamine, C15-23 Alkane, C13-14 Alkane, Glucose, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Mandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCoconut Alkanes
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Propanediol
SolventSilica
Abrasive
Silica Silylate
EmollientMagnesium Stearate
Cosmetic ColorantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Antioxidant
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
C13-14 Alkane
SolventC15-23 Alkane
SolventTricaprylin
Masking
Acetyl Glutamine
Skin ConditioningPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Lecithin
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin Protecting
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Carbonate
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Water, Glycolic Acid, Mandelic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Coconut Alkanes, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Propanediol, Silica, Silica Silylate, Magnesium Stearate, Niacinamide, Retinol, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, C13-14 Alkane, C15-23 Alkane, Tricaprylin, Acetyl Glutamine, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Lecithin, Citric Acid, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citronellol, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPropanediol 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 PropanediolNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
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 GlycerinTocopherol (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 TocopherolDecyl Glucoside is a glucose-based surfactant and emulsion stabilizer. It is created by reacting glucose with the fatty acids from plants.
Surfactants help clean the skin by trapping oil, sebum, and dirt to be washed away. As an emulsion stabilizer, it stabilizes the ingredients in a product by preventing them from separating.
This ingredient is biodegradable and non-toxic. This ingredient is commonly found in baby shampoos.
Decyl Glucoside is sometimes used to stabilize the UV filter Tinosorb.
Learn more about Decyl GlucosideWe don't have a description for C15-23 Alkane yet.
We don't have a description for C13-14 Alkane yet.
This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Necessaire The Body Vitamin C 27 ingredients
Necessaire The Body Retinol 48 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Necessaire The Body Vitamin C 27 ingredients
Necessaire The Body Retinol 48 ingredients
Okay. So I’ve just finished my first bottle of this stuff and have some thoughts…
I started using this to hopefully reduce lines in my skin around my waist, something my fellow POC will surely related to.
I’ve used it a couple times a week in the evenings after exercise and a shower for the last few months, along with regular exfoliation with an aha cream and urea moisturiser.
It is the Show more
Really nice body retinol! I have a lot of hyperpigmentation from picking at my skin all over and this is great for when the small facial retinols don’t cut it.
