Explore Routine Login
Versus

Skin Actives Scientific Vitamin A Serum Versus Theramid Clinical Vitamin A

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
Spanish Brand Spain

Updated on August 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 1 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, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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

Free from

Safety & Ethics

American Brand

Brand country of origin

Free from

Safety & Ethics

pH Level 5.25

Product acidity level

Spanish Brand

Brand country of origin

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Vitamin A Serum
Water 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.

Loved by users
Learn more
Sodium PCA Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Loved by users
Learn more
Retinyl Acetate 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 Icon

Retinyl Acetate is a form of retinoid. It can be good for be good for oily skin. It can help to improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, brighten skin, and fight acne.

Liked by users
RetinoidRetinoid Icon8 Benefits
Learn more
Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Loved by users
Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic Acid Icon
Learn more
Hydrolyzed Collagen Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Hydrolyzed collagen has a misleading name because it is actually a mixture of various proteins/peptides. This ingredient has skin hydrating properties.

Loved by users
2 Benefits
Learn more
Hamamelis Virginiana Water Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
Can worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".

Disliked by users
3 Concerns
Learn more
Xylitol Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Xylitol is a humectant and prebiotic. It can help with dry skin.

Liked by users
Learn more
Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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.

Disliked by users
Learn more
Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Preservative Icon

Phenoxyethanol 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.

Very disliked
PreservativePreservative Icon
Learn more
Caprylyl Glycol Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Liked by users
Learn more
Sorbic Acid Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.

Very disliked
PreservativePreservative Icon
Learn more
Clinical Vitamin A
Water 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.

Loved by users
Learn more
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Loved by users
2 Benefits
Learn more
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

Very disliked
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Learn more
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

Mixed reviews
Learn more
Propanediol Solvent

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.

Liked by users
Learn more
Coco-Caprylate Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Coco-Caprylate is created from fatty coconut alcohol and caprylic acid.

Very disliked
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Learn more
Dimethyl Isosorbide Solvent

Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.

Mixed reviews
Learn more
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Very disliked
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Learn more
Cellulose Acetate Butyrate

We don't have a description for Cellulose Acetate Butyrate yet.

Not enough ratings
Learn more
Cetyl Alcohol Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

2 Com. / 2 Irr.
Very disliked
Fatty AlcoholFatty Alcohol Icon
Learn more
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 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 Icon

This ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".

Liked by users
RetinoidRetinoid Icon8 Benefits
Learn more
Retinol 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

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Loved by users
RetinoidRetinoid Icon8 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
Learn more
Retinal 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

Retinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.

Liked by users
RetinoidRetinoid Icon8 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
Learn more
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate Skin Conditioning

Lactococcus Ferment Lysate is a postbiotic created by fermenting Lactoccus lactis, a type of bacteria more commonly used to create Lactic acid.

Liked by users
Learn more
Plankton Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Plankton Extract yet.

Mixed reviews
Learn more
Ceramide Ng Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide NG is a type of Ceramide. The NG stands for a sphinganine base.

Loved by users
CeramideCeramide Icon3 Benefits
Learn more
Tocopherol Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

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.

0-3 Com. / 0-3 Irr.
Liked by users
Vitamin EVitamin E IconAntioxidantAntioxidant Icon3 Benefits
Learn more
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Mixed reviews
Learn more
Jojoba Esters Emollient, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Jojoba Esters is a wax created from Jojoba oil. It is an emollient and film-forming ingredient. In bead form, it is an exfoliator.

Disliked by users
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Learn more
Lecithin Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids.

Mixed reviews
Learn more
Pullulan

Pullulan is a low viscosity polysaccharide (a long chain carbohydrate) with binding and film forming properties when dissolved in water. It is used to create a "silicone-like" or silky feel in cosmetics without adding viscosity.

Liked by users
Learn more
Sclerotium Gum Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning

Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.

Mixed reviews
Learn more
Sodium Benzoate Masking, Preservative
Preservative Icon

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Disliked by users
PreservativePreservative Icon
Learn more

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
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

When to use

4 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
75% use every day
19 Routines
5% use in am
95% use in pm
37% use every day