Nip + Fab Retinol Fix Blemish Gel Treatment 10% Versus Mesoestetic Melan Tran3x Gel Cream
Updated on January 22, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA and niacinamide
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, common allergens, parabens 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
Nip + Fab Retinol Fix Blemish Gel Treatment 10% 16 ingredients
Mesoestetic Melan Tran3x Gel Cream 39 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Nip + Fab Retinol Fix Blemish Gel Treatment 10% 16 ingredients
Mesoestetic Melan Tran3x Gel Cream 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tranexamic Acid
Astringent
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLecithin
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
BHA
Antioxidant
Water
Skin ConditioningIsodecyl Neopentanoate
EmollientTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isostearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Citrate
BufferingHelianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol Cocoate
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Isononyl Isononanoate
EmollientPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLactic Acid
Buffering
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Aminoethylphosphinic Acid
Skin ConditioningGlycogen
HumectantAcetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine
Skin ConditioningAcacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Plankton Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Polyacrylate-13
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ethylcellulose
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Water, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Jojoba Esters, Glycerin, Isostearyl Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Citrate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Butylene Glycol Cocoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lactic Acid, Kojic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Salicylic Acid, Aminoethylphosphinic Acid, Glycogen, Acetyl Glycyl Beta-Alanine, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Plankton Extract, Polyglycerin-3, Polyacrylate-13, Dimethicone, Polyisobutene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ethylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Metabisulfite, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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 WaterNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePolysorbate 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 20Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidTranexamic Acid is best used for treating hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and melasma. It can also help build a stronger skin barrier.
Once applied, Tranexamic Acid starts decreasing inflammation from UV exposure. Tranexamic Acid also prevents our skin cells from meeting the pigment production cells.
Its brightening property makes it great at reducing the appearance of acne scars and marks.
Fun fact: Tranexamic Acid is also a medication used to reduce heavy bleeding.
This acid is derived from lysine, an amino acid.
Learn more about Tranexamic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTIngredient Ratings
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