Updated on April 21, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and retinoid
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, fragrances, 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
One Thing Peptide Retinal Serum 58 ingredients
Theramid A-Retinoate 39 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
One Thing Peptide Retinal Serum 58 ingredients
Theramid A-Retinoate 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingDipropylene Glycol
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventVinyldimethicone
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
C14-22 Alcohols
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingC12-20 Alkyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Malt Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract
Skin ProtectingSodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentDextrin
AbsorbentDisodium EDTA
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
BufferingTrideceth-10
CleansingPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Copper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningAluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingBrassica Campestris Sterols
Emollient
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Propanediol, Vinyldimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetearyl Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Dextrin, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Carbomer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Sodium Lactate, Trideceth-10, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Copper Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Phosphatidylcholine, Cholesterol, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Retinal, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCoco-Caprylate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters
EmollientSilica
Abrasive
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24
EmulsifyingRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Retinyl Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Jojoba Esters
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Mannitol
HumectantPhosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingIsopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Skin ConditioningPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax
Emollient
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
Skin ProtectingBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phosphoric Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coco-Caprylate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Tribehenin PEG-20 Esters, Silica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Betaine, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PPG-13-Decyltetradeceth-24, Retinal, Retinyl Retinoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetyl Alcohol, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax, Polyglycerin-3, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Xanthan Gum, Tocopherol, Phosphoric Acid, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide
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 WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycerin 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 GlycerinBetaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Phosphatidylcholine is a type of phospholipid. Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids are skin-replenishing.
This ingredient can be found in the Lecithin of soybeans.
Retinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using 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.
Learn more about RetinalPotassium Cetyl Phosphate is the potassium salt of a mixture. This mixture consists of the esters from phosphoricacid and cetyl alcohol.
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
As a cleansing agent, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate helps gather oils, dirts, and pollutants from your skin. This makes it easier to rinse them away with water.
Learn more about Potassium Cetyl PhosphateIngredient Ratings
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