Sunday Riley 5 Stars Retinoid + Niacinamide Eye Serum Versus Avène Physiolift Smoothing Regenerating Night Balm for Ageing Skin
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
EmollientCaprylyl Methicone
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-6
HumectantDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventNiacinamide
SmoothingCetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientOctyldodecanol
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin ConditioningRetinol
Skin ConditioningAsiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningPapaver Rhoeas Extract
EmollientBellis Perennis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHieracium Pilosella Extract
MaskingDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientMethylpropanediol
SolventPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolyquaternium-80
CleansingDidecyldimonium Chloride
EmulsifyingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
AntioxidantBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberAlcohol
AntimicrobialSodium Phytate
Citric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingSodium Benzoate
MaskingSodium Dehydroacetate
PreservativeWater, Dimethicone, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglycerin-6, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Niacinamide, Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Retinol, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Papaver Rhoeas Extract, Bellis Perennis Flower Extract, Hieracium Pilosella Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Ceramide NP, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Methylpropanediol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyquaternium-80, Didecyldimonium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Alcohol, Sodium Phytate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate
Water
Skin ConditioningIsohexadecane
EmollientDimethicone
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Alcohol
EmollientGlycerin
HumectantCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
AntioxidantAscophyllum Nodosum Extract
Skin ConditioningBHT
AntioxidantCeteareth-33
CleansingDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Parfum
MaskingHesperidin Methyl Chalcone
AntioxidantMethyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingPvp
Emulsion StabilisingCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantRetinal
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Isohexadecane, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, BHT, Ceteareth-33, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Pvp, CI 17200, Retinal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. It is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Be sure to patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz. It is also known as polydimethylsiloxane.
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 DimethiconePentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water