Same Skincare Serum 01: 6.5% High Dose Retinoid Versus AOA Skin Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Updated on February 01, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive 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
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Same Skincare Serum 01: 6.5% High Dose Retinoid 27 ingredients
AOA Skin Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Same Skincare Serum 01: 6.5% High Dose Retinoid 27 ingredients
AOA Skin Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Humulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientSpirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingCucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Honey
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningParfum
Masking
Water, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Retinol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Ascorbic Acid, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ubiquinone, Honey, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Triethylene Glycol
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTamarindus Indica Seed Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
EDTA
Water, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Betaine, Polysorbate 20, Triethylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Morus Alba Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Phenoxyethanol, EDTA
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 WaterPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Glycerin 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 GlycerinHydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.
This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.
This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.
Learn more about HydroxyethylcelluloseSodium 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 HyaluronateAscorbic Acid is is pure Vitamin C. This form makes up the largest amount of vitamin C found naturally in our skin.
Not only is vitamin C great for your overall health and immune system, it also has plenty of benefits on your skin.
Vitamin C is best used for brightening skin. It improves dark spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation. This is because it blocks the process of skin darkening when exposed to UV.
Remember: Vitamin C should not replace sunscreen!
Your skin uses vitamin C to build collagen. Collagen is one key component in having a strong skin barrier and plump skin. Vitamin C also plays a role in regulating collagen, thus making it effective in improving wrinkles and fine lines.
Ascorbic acid shows potent antioxidant activity. As an antioxidant, it helps fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. These antioxidants also protect skin against UV damage.
The best formulations include Vitamin E and/or ferulic acid. These two ingredients help stabilize and provide a boost in the benefits of ascorbic acid. This is because ascorbic acid becomes unstable when exposed to UV and air. In fact, you can tell your ascorbic acid has oxidized when it turns an orange-yellow color.
Ascorbic acid is generally compatible with other ingredients. However, using ascorbic acid with other active ingredients might cause irritation. Two ingredients: copper ions and benzoyl peroxide, will inactivate ascorbic acid completely.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Foods rich with vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, broccoli, bell peppers, and more. When consuming Vitamin C, your skin receives a portion of the nutrients.
Learn more about Ascorbic AcidCitrus Limon Peel Extract is created from the peel of a lemon. Lemon peels contain Vitamin C. Lemon peels also exhibit antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.
This ingredient has many skin benefits:
This ingredient contains polyphenols, a strong antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight off molecules that damage skin cells.
On top of that, the antioxidants in green tea neutralize free-radicals from the sun. This gives the skin some extra UV protection, but should not replace sunscreen.
Many components of tea have anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyphenols and L-theanine help soothe the skin and reduce irritation. The caffeine in Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract helps calm inflamed blood vessels.
Other compounds found in tea include: Vitamin Bs, linoleic acid, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc.
Research has shown both drinking Camellia Sinensis Leaf Tea and applying it to the skin can help boost skin elasticity and hydration. Studies also show using tea extract may reduce sebum, or oil, production.
Learn more about Camellia Sinensis Leaf ExtractPhenoxyethanol 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.
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