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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum versus Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum .

Published on November 26, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 22 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Serum French Brand France
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E (2)
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Irritation
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

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 Triglyceride

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does: Emulsifying, Solvent

We don't have a description for Ppg-24-Glycereth-24.

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

6
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

8
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Liked

Potassium 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 Phosphate

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

9
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

10
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate 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. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

11
What it does:
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate is the sodium salt from the lauric acid of glutamic acid.

It is a surfactant and helps cleanse the skin. Surfactants gather oil, dirt, and other pollutants from your skin so they may be washed away easily.

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

12
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.

13
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Disliked

This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.

It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

14
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

15
What it does:
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylhydroxamic Acid is a chelating agent.

Chelating agents help prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This helps prevent unwanted reactions and effects from using the product.

Caprylhydroxamic Acid is often used with natural antimicrobial products as an alternative to preservatives.

Learn more about Caprylhydroxamic Acid

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

16
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.

17
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium 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 EDTA

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.

18
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.

It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.

Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.

Learn more about Polyisobutene

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

19
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

20
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Hyaluronate

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 38.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

21
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 39.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

22

This helper ingredient is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is created from coconut alcohol.

Surfactants help reduce surface tension while emulsifiers prevent ingredients from separating.

RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum contains this as ingredient number 40.

Kate Somerville KX Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

41% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet
33% are loved or liked
22% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Daily Serum.

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