Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum versus Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum .
Published on December 06, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, exfoliants, niacinamide, 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
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Price
Ingredient Info
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum 48 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Glyceryl Stearate Se
- Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
- Sorbitan Stearate
- Retinyl Linoleate
- Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
- Persea Gratissima Oil
- Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
- Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
- Ricinus Communis Seed Oil
- Hydrogenated Castor Oil
- Glycine Soja Oil
- Synthetic Beeswax
- Copernicia Cerifera Wax
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum 48 ingredients
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Notable Ingredients
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum 48 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Squalane • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cetearyl Alcohol • Glyceryl Stearate Se • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Propanediol • Sorbitan Stearate • Sclerotium Gum • Retinyl Linoleate • Retinol • Avena Sativa Bran Extract • Centella Asiatica Extract • Niacinamide • Bisabolol • Rosa Canina Fruit Oil • Persea Gratissima Oil • Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Sodium Hyaluronate • Ricinus Communis Seed Oil • Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Glycine Soja Oil • Tocopherol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Phytic Acid • Synthetic Beeswax • Copernicia Cerifera Wax • Maltodextrin • Caprylhydroxamic Acid • 1,2-Hexanediol • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Levulinic Acid • Sodium Levulinate • Citric Acid • Sodium Hydroxide
Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Glycerin • Octyldodecanol • C12-16 Alcohols • Squalane • Propanediol • Glycine Soja Oil • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Ectoin • Helianthus Annuus Hybrid Oil • Palmitic Acid • Myristyl Alcohol • PCA • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Xanthan Gum • Potassium Sorbate • Carbomer • Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate • Sodium Benzoate • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Tocopherol • Citric Acid • Zinc PCA • Maltodextrin • Retinol • Hydrolyzed Rice Protein • Panthenol • Totarol • Leptospermum Scoparium Branch/Leaf Oil • Niacinamide • Sodium Hydroxide • Calcium Pantothenate • Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate • Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract • Piper Nigrum Seed Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Pyridoxine Hcl • Alanyl Glutamine • Arginine • Oligopeptide-177 • Phenylalanine • Sisymbrium Irio Seed Oil • Sodium Chloride • Silica
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 SqualaneSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 TriglycerideSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 PropanediolSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
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.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
Glycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
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 TocopherolSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
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 AcetateSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide. It is derived from starch such as rice, corn, wheat, or potato starch.
In food, Maltodextrin is used to improve the texture and thicken a product. Due to its structure, it can help create a gel texture. As an emulsion stabilizer, it helps keep the ingredients in a product together.
As a polysaccharide, Maltodextrin has moisturizing properties. Polysaccharides are a type of carbohydrate. The top layer of skin uses polysaccharides to retain water, keeping the skin hydrated.
Maltodextrin is water soluble and has a sweet taste.
Learn more about MaltodextrinSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
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.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbateSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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.
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 look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideSummer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum contains this as ingredient number 38.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 32.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum 48 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 38 ingredients
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum 48 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 33 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum.
See 33 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 9 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum.
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