Versus

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Versus Shiseido Wrinkle Smoothing Contour Serum

Facial Treatment

Serum

American Brand United States

Japanese Brand Japan

Updated on February 16, 2024

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

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 sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances 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.

New Comparison

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 22 ingredients

Shiseido Wrinkle Smoothing Contour Serum 54 ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 22 ingredients

Shiseido Wrinkle Smoothing Contour Serum 54 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Retinol 0.3

Water

Propanediol

Dimethicone

Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate

Emollient

Alcohol Denat.

Antimicrobial

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate

Emulsion Stabilising

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer

Phenoxyethanol

Caprylyl Glycol

Isopropyl Myristate

3-5 / 3 May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Retinol

Skin Conditioning

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying

0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Boswellia Serrata Resin Extract

Smoothing

Dimethiconol

Emollient

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Bisabolol

Citric Acid

BHT

Propyl Gallate

Wrinkle Smoothing Contour Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant

1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate

Dimethicone

Glycerin

0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Sd Alcohol 40-B

Behenyl Alcohol

Silica

PEG-400

Batyl Alcohol

Phenoxyethanol

Methylparaben

0 / 0 Preservative Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising

1 / 0

Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer

Trisodium EDTA

Tocopheryl Acetate

Retinyl Acetate

Alcohol

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

BHT

Polyquaternium-51

Parfum

Potassium Hydroxide

Caffeine

Xanthan Gum

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

PPG-3 Dipivalate

Skin Conditioning

Rosa Canina Fruit Oil

Emollient

CI 77492

Cosmetic Colorant

Tocopherol

Antioxidant

0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E Icon

Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract

Linalool

Limonene

Sodium Metabisulfite

Triisostearin

Uncaria Gambir Extract

Astringent

Citronellol

Perfuming

Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate

Emollient

Geraniol

Perfuming

Cellulose

Absorbent

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Humectant

Hydroxyproline

Skin Conditioning

Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Skin Conditioning

Methicone

Emollient

Tetradecene

Emollient

Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract

Emollient

Curcuma Longa Rhizome Extract

Skin Conditioning

Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract

Emollient

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

Emollient

Ascorbyl Dipalmitate

Antioxidant

Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Behenyl Alcohol, Silica, PEG-400, Batyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Dimethylacrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Crosspolymer, Trisodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Acetate, Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, BHT, Polyquaternium-51, Parfum, Potassium Hydroxide, Caffeine, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, PPG-3 Dipivalate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, CI 77492, Tocopherol, Sapindus Mukorossi Peel Extract, Linalool, Limonene, Sodium Metabisulfite, Triisostearin, Uncaria Gambir Extract, Citronellol, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate, Geraniol, Cellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydroxyproline, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Methicone, Tetradecene, Eucheuma Serra/Grateloupia Sparsa/Saccharina Angustata/Ulva Linza/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Curcuma Longa Rhizome Extract, Saccharina Angustata/Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ascorbyl Dipalmitate

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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.

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

Dimethicone

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone 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 Dimethicone

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative

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.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

BHT

Antioxidant, Masking

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.

As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.

The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.

However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.

Learn more about BHT