Puritan’s Pride Retinol Cream Versus MEG 21 Smooth Radiance Advanced Formula Anti-aging Neck Cream
Updated on February 23, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils, parabens and 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
Puritan’s Pride Retinol Cream 20 ingredients
MEG 21 Smooth Radiance Advanced Formula Anti-aging Neck Cream 41 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Puritan’s Pride Retinol Cream 20 ingredients
MEG 21 Smooth Radiance Advanced Formula Anti-aging Neck Cream 41 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetyl Esters
Emollient
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingCetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Yellow 11
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Propylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Esters, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Isopropyl Myristate, Triethanolamine, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Retinyl Palmitate, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Yellow 11
Water
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Arginine
Masking
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil
Abrasive
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Methylglucamine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCeteareth-20
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Polyacrylamide
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Argilla
Abrasive
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingAcetylated Lanolin Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Acetate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tetrasodium EDTA
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylparaben
Preservative
Butylparaben
Masking
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Water, Lecithin, Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Arginine, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Methylglucamine Hcl, Cyclohexasiloxane, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysorbate 80, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyacrylamide, Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Dimethicone, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, Squalane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Tocopherol, Argilla, Laureth-7, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Cetyl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Diazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
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 WaterPropylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateDiazolidinyl Urea is a preservative. It can cause irritation.
Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenPropylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
This ingredient can be naturally found in plants and insects, but most of it is synthetically manufactured for human use. In cosmetics, it is usually created by reacting para-aminobenzoic acid and propanol (an alcohol).
You can usually find this ingredient in water-based products.
Parabens have come under controversy due to the claim they are hormone disruptors. Studies show conflicting results. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Propylparaben is commonly found in food, medicine, and cosmetics.
Learn more about PropylparabenIsopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateDimethicone 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 DimethiconeTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateDisodium 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 EDTATocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolIngredient Ratings
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