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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots versus Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum .

Last updated on September 14, 2023. Published on September 16, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 10 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, 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, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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 Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots

Starts at $19.02
Shop

Buy Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum

Starts at $19.15

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

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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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: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Isohexadecane is added to enhance texture, emulsify, and to help cleanse. It is an isoparrafin. It is a component of petrolatum.

Due to its large size, Isohexadecane is not absorbed by the skin. Instead, it sits on top and acts as an emollient. Emollients help keep your skin soft and smooth by trapping moisture within.

Isohexadecane is often used in products designed to help oily skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy while helping to moisturize. When mixed with silicones, it gives a product a silky feel.

Learn more about Isohexadecane

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 1.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Dicaprylyl Carbonate comes from carbonic acid and caprylyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol. It is an emollient and gives skin a velvet feel. The sources of Dicaprylyl Carbonate may be synthetic or from animals.

As an emollient, Dicaprylyl Carbonate creates a film on the skin. This film traps moisture in, keeping your skin soft and hydrated.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 2.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emollient
Community Rating: Liked

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate is an emollient. Emollients help your skin stay soft and smooth by creating a thin film on top. This film helps trap moisture. It also helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness or helping to create a silky feel.

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate comes from isostearic acid, a saturated fatty acid. It is a synthetic ingredient.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 3.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Emollient
Community Rating: Very Disliked

We don't have a description for Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 4.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Disliked

Triethyl Citrate is a fragrance.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 5.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
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

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 6.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
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

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 7.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

8
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 8.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

9
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 9.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

10
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.

Bisabolol comes from German chamomile essential oil. Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.

Bisabolol helps soothe skin. It does this by blocking the inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.

Bisabolol also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.

Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.

Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.

Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.

Learn more about Bisabolol

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots contains this as ingredient number 10.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

55% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

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Reviews

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Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum 12 ingredients

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil Serum for Dark Spots.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ .5% Power Serum.

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