The Raw Retinol 0.3% Serum Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid For Acne
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.
This acne treatment is formulated around Adapalene to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualene
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventPolypeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientTrideceth-10
CleansingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Retinol 0.3%
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Lysine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Arginine 0.2%
Masking
Aspartic Acid
Masking
Threonine
Serine
Masking
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Proline
Skin Conditioning
Glycine
Buffering
Alanine
Masking
Valine
MaskingIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Cocoate
Emollient
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
Emollient
Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Squalene, Niacinamide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Polypeptide-1, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trideceth-10, Phenoxyethanol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Retinol 0.3%, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Lysine, Histidine, Arginine 0.2%, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Proline, Glycine, Alanine, Valine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Allantoin, Phytosphingosine, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Dimethiconol, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cholesterol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
