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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum versus James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol .

Published on July 21, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe tanning. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, retinoid, Vitamin C 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 parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain common allergens and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Tanning British Brand United Kingdom
Tanning British Brand United Kingdom

Tanning

Products used to change the tone of one's skin.

Tanning

Products used to change the tone of one's skin.

Price

Shop

Buy Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum

Starts at $19.50
Shop

Buy Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Tanning

Dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, is a simple sugar. It is frequently used in self-tanning products.

DHA binds to the amino acids in your dead skin cells to create a brown/orange color. Darkening begins to kick in a few hours after application and will continue to develop for up to 3 days. This ingredient can be drying.

Both the US and the EU have approved DHA in self-tanning products. In the EU, DHA is allowed at a maximum concentration of 10%. Most tanning products usually contain amounts between 3-5%.

If you are pregnant or have underlying medical conditions, it is best to speak with a dermatologist about using self-tanning products.

Learn more about Dihydroxyacetone

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium 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 Hyaluronate

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 29.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.

It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.

Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 20.

6
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acetate

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 19.

7
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.

D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.

Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 7.

8
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.

Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.

It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.

We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Polyacrylamide

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 6.

9
What it does: Emollient, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.

As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.

C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about C13-14 Isoparaffin

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 8.

10
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 5.

11
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Laureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.

Laureth-7 is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 16.

12
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Acid

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 39.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 15.

13
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 40.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 36.

14
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Sorbate

TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum contains this as ingredient number 42.

James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol contains this as ingredient number 37.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

28% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
47% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet
28% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 11 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self-Tan Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to James Read Gradual Tan - Sleep Mask Face Retinol.

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