The INKEY List Phytic Acid Serum - EU Versus Tula Skincare Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum
Updated on June 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for 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, parabens or silicones
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
The INKEY List Phytic Acid Serum 16 ingredients
Tula Skincare Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum 46 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The INKEY List Phytic Acid Serum 16 ingredients
Tula Skincare Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum 46 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Phytic Acid
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLecithin
Emollient
Sodium Phytate
Tetraselmis Suecica Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningDiisopropyl Adipate
EmollientDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract
MaskingLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
Astringent
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Magnesium Sulfate
Squalene
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPropanediol
Solvent
Lecithin
Emollient
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Medicago Sativa Extract
TonicHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingLysolecithin
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Benzoate
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Beta-Sitosterol
Emulsion Stabilising
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phytic Acid
Water, Diisopropyl Adipate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Isoamyl Laurate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Triethylhexanoin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Bakuchiol, Stevia Rebaudiana Leaf/Stem Extract, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Beta-Carotene, Lactic Acid, Gluconolactone, Lactobacillus, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Squalene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Propanediol, Lecithin, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Sodium Phytate, Medicago Sativa Extract, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Lysolecithin, Maltodextrin, Glycine Soja Oil, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Phytic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 GlycerinLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Phytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.
The chemical makeup makes it classified as an AHA, much like lactic acid.
In some cases, it is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water, helping to stabilize the ingredients in a product.
An interesting fact about phytic acid is that it is considered an antinutrient. People do not have the enzyme needed to properly breakdown and digest phytic acid. When ingested, phytic acid binds to minerals and prevents them from being absorbed.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Phytic AcidPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
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 PropanediolSodium 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.
It 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 BenzoateSodium Phytate is the synthetic salt form of phytic acid. Phytic acid is an antioxidant and can be found in plant seeds.
Sodium Phytate is a chelating agent. Chelating agents help prevent metals from binding to water. This helps stabilize the ingredients and the product.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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