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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum .

Last updated on September 14, 2023. Published on March 30, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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 Canadian Brand Canada

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 Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum

Starts at $20.99
Shop

Buy Skin Renewing Retinol Serum

Starts at $19.20

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

PHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Retinoid
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (5)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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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

NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.

D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.

Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane

NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

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

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

5
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

6
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan 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

NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

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.

NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

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

19% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
29% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
11% 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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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Therapy Lifting Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 25 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum.

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