Versus

Sachi Skin Ursolic Acid and Retinal Overnight Reform Serum Versus Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 0.2% Retinal Serum

Serum
Serum
British Brand United Kingdom
Hungarian Brand Hungary

Updated on October 17, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid and Vitamin E

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, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Ursolic Acid and Retinal Overnight Reform Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Silybum Marianum Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Cucumis Sativus Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate

Humectant

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Ursolic Acid

Masking

Retinal 0.05%

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Bakuchiol

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phospholipids

Skin Conditioning

Superoxide Dismutase

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Nigella Sativa Seed Oil

Emollient
Fragrance IconOil Icon

Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Avena Sativa Kernel Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Masking

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Lactobacillus Ferment

Skin Conditioning

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Honokiol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Magnolol

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Solvent

Cyclodextrin

Absorbent

Arachidyl Alcohol

Emollient

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Arachidyl Glucoside

Emulsifying

Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Sorbitan Palmitate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin

Masking

Glucose

Humectant

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Benzoate

Masking
Preservative Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Skin Conditioning

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 Retinal
Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (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 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tocopheryl 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 Acetate
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

When to use

4 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
100% use every day
46 Routines
7% use in am
93% use in pm
76% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Sachi Skin Ursolic Acid and Retinal Overnight Reform Serum 50 ingredients

Ursolic Acid and Retinal Overnight Reform Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 20 0.2% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Heavy (1)
ThomasvV's avatar

Thomas VV

3 months ago
Review

This is BY FAR the BEST inexpensive Retinal product. Retinal 0.2% strength is the highest OTC strength you can get. Due to the Ectoin, which is an amazing ingredient that is not in the lower versions, it is much easier to handle the irritation.

Also: This one is better than The Ordinary Retinal, better ingredients and Ectoin makes it superior. It has a Clean Ingredient list and a great dupe of Show more

#great value
#heavy
#absorbs well
#no scent