Obagi Retinol 1.0 Versus SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3
Updated on February 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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
Obagi Retinol 1.0 39 ingredients
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Obagi Retinol 1.0 39 ingredients
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Dimethicone
Emollient
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingSambucus Nigra Flower Extract
RefreshingCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
BHT
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Triethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Polysorbate 60, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Ubiquinone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propylene Glycol, BHT, Bisabolol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAllyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBoswellia Serrata Resin Extract
SmoothingDimethiconol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Bisabolol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
BHT
Antioxidant
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Citrate, Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract, Dimethiconol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, BHT, Propyl Gallate
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 WaterWe don't have a description for Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer yet.
Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. 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 RetinolPolysorbate 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 20Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeBHT 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 BHTBisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient 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.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Obagi Retinol 1.0 39 ingredients
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 22 ingredients
Reviews
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