Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum versus Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on February 01, 2021
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 hyaluronic acid, peptides, retinoid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils 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.
Price
Ingredient Info
The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum 31 ingredients
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum 36 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
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 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
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:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum 31 ingredients
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum 36 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum 31 ingredients
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum 36 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Propanediol • Dicaprylyl Carbonate • Dimethicone • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Caprylyl Glycol • Phospholipids • Caprylic/Capric Glycerides • Squalane • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Glycine Soja Extract • Carbomer • Sodium Ascorbate • Tocopherol • Polysorbate 60 • Tocopheryl Acetate • Glycolipids • Sodium Hydroxide • Disodium EDTA • Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate • Retinol • Glycine Soja Sterols • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Hyaluronic Acid • Polysorbate 20 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Phenoxyethanol
Water • Dimethicone • Propanediol • Polysilicone-11 • Polysorbate 20 • Isocetyl Stearate • Volcanic Soil • Glyceryl Stearate • Isohexadecane • Peg-100 Stearate • Parfum • Retinol • Ascorbic Acid • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hyaluronic Acid • Physalis Angulata Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Tocopherol • Hexapeptide-2 • Ethylhexylglycerin • Amylopectin • Peg-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether • Adenosine • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • 1,2-Hexanediol • Butylene Glycol • Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Polyisobutene • Sorbitan Isostearate • Stearic Acid • Polysorbate 80 • Dimethiconol • Caprylhydroxamic Acid • BHA • Disodium EDTA
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 WaterThe INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
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 PropanediolThe INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
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.
The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.
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 TocopherolThe INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
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 AcetateThe INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAThe INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.
It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.
Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.
Using retinol and retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. 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 RetinolThe INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid has the capacity to bind to large amounts of water. This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing,
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidThe INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 27.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum 31 ingredients
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum 36 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum 31 ingredients
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum 36 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum 31 ingredients
not doing anything?
i've been using this for 2-3 weeks and i see no difference. i know you're supposed to wait 6 weeks and see but i'm using this every single night and i'm not even purging in the slightest. i had a breakout before i...
not doing anything?
i've been using this for 2-3 weeks and i see no difference. i know you're supposed to wait 6 weeks and see but i'm using this every single night and i'm not even purging in the slightest. i had a breakout before i started using this and the breakout is still there which also shows that the product is doing nothing. i will finish the product to see if anything happens but my assumption is that it's too weak and my skin can take more, since my skin was used to benzyl peroxide twice a day since i was using effaclar duo+ for 3-4 months.
Kate Somerville Retinol Vita C Power Serum 36 ingredients
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