The Purest Solutions Vita-A Rejuvenating Retinol Serum (1% Retinol + Ceramide) Versus cyrene Diamond Retinal 3 + Ceramide
Updated on January 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, 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, sensitive 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, oils, parabens or sulfates
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 Purest Solutions Vita-A Rejuvenating Retinol Serum (1% Retinol + Ceramide) 30 ingredients
cyrene Diamond Retinal 3 + Ceramide 30 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 Purest Solutions Vita-A Rejuvenating Retinol Serum (1% Retinol + Ceramide) 30 ingredients
cyrene Diamond Retinal 3 + Ceramide 30 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Lecithin
Emollient
Glycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Acmella Oleracea Extract
Skin ProtectingButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Ceramide 3
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenethyl Alcohol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Lecithin, Glycine Soja Sterols, Retinol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Dimethicone, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium PCA, Ceramide 3, Niacinamide, Phenethyl Alcohol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Dipropylheptyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Squalane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dipropylheptyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Phospholipids, Niacinamide, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Retinal, Sodium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Beta-Glucan, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Ceramide NP, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
You might know this ingredient as Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a more stable version of ascorbic acid.
Like other types of vitamin C, this ingredient has many benefits including reducing wrinkles, skin soothing, dark spot fading, and fighting against free radicals.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid interferes with the process of skin darkening, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation. It also encourages the skin to produce more collagen.
Once applied, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid is converted to Vitamin C deeper in the skin's layers. This process is slow but makes this ingredient more tolerable for skin.
The optimum pH range for this ingredient is 4 - 5.5
Learn more about 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium 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 HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
