Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster Versus Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum
Updated on September 25, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain 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, silicones 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
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-7 Triacetate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes
Emollient
Isopentyldiol
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningArctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingBis-Glyceryl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycereth-7 Triacetate, Glycerin, Carthamus Tinctorius Oleosomes, Isopentyldiol, Polyglyceryl-10 Behenate/Eicosadioate, Butylene Glycol, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Retinol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ceramide NP, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Dipentaerythrityl Tri-Polyhydroxystearate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Bis-Glyceryl Ascorbate, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingOleyl Erucate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Triheptanoin
Skin ConditioningCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBiosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Retinal 0.1%
Skin Conditioning
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Oleyl Erucate, Glycerin, Triheptanoin, Cyclodextrin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Allantoin, Retinal 0.1%, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Citric Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinDisodium 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 EDTAPhenoxyethanol 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
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster 29 ingredients
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Great retinal for the price. I find retinal less irritating then retinol. It can be my skin though.
This is an absolutely brilliant and cheap Retinal product. Clean Ingredient list and a great dupe of the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10.
It helped me with:
- acne
- structure
- minor fine lines (I am 25y)
My advice is to start with AGame 5 First!! Then rotate with AGame 10 and finally only use AGame 10 (or even upgrade to AGame 20 in the same way)
In the end: Use It 5/6 times a week with Show more
