The INKEY List Retinol Serum Versus Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic
Updated on June 19, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, retinoid and Vitamin C
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
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 Retinol Serum 31 ingredients
Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic 28 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The INKEY List Retinol Serum 31 ingredients
Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSqualane
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Retinyl Acetate
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
BufferingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopherol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phospholipids, Glycine Soja Oil, Glycolipids, Glycine Soja Sterols, Retinyl Acetate, Dimethicone, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Lactate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-8
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentHibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methyl Gluceth-20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-8, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 20Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The INKEY List Retinol Serum 31 ingredients
Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The INKEY List Retinol Serum 31 ingredients
Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic 28 ingredients
I have mixed feelings about this products. The experience of using it is great: It is super lightweight, perfect for oily skin, has a very pleasant and light herbal scent (although be careful if you are allergic to fragrance), and it does hydrate and preps your skin properly for the rest of your routine. It's also really inexpensive as many other Pixi's tonics and you will get a very good amount Show more
Excellent. Most retinol are super comedogenic or have squalene, which breaks me out. This has none of that and the bottle is huge! You get a lot of product for the price and it doesn't irritate me. I know the retinol works too, as I made the mistake of putting it on my lips, and they peeled so much. Don't do that, that was just me being stupid. Has a pleasant light scent and has helped with my Show more
