No7 Pure Retinol 1% Retinol Night Concentrate Versus RoC Multi Correxion Even Tone + Lift Resurfacing Serum
This anti-aging treatment is formulated around Niacinamide and Retinol to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
This smoothing serum is formulated around Mandelic Acid to refine skin texture and fade the look of dark spots.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDimethicone
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingNiacinamide
SmoothingRetinol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeInulin Lauryl Carbamate
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethiconol
EmollientBisabolol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBehentrimonium Chloride
PreservativeSucrose Laurate
EmollientSorbitan Laurate
EmulsifyingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium EDTA
ChelatingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
MaskingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
PerfumingWater, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Bisabolol, Caprylyl Glycol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Sucrose Laurate, Sorbitan Laurate, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Benzoic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Benzyl Alcohol
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantIsopentyldiol
HumectantSqualane
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Aspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
ChelatingSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingC15-23 Alkane
SolventC13-14 Alkane
SolventBetaine
HumectantDecyl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Squalane, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, C15-23 Alkane, C13-14 Alkane, Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water