Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of TRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% versus Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream .
Published on November 26, 2023
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain peptides, retinoid 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, 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 need an update? Let us know.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Price
Ingredient Info
TRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% 36 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
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:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
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:
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:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
TRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% 36 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
TRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% 36 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Pentylene Glycol • Niacinamide • Cyclodextrin • Polysorbate 20 • Squalane • Coco-Caprylate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Cetyl Alcohol • Sodium Hyaluronate • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 • Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3 • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Ceteareth-20 • Beta-Glucan • Resveratrol • Dimethyl Sulfone • Retinal • Tocopherol • Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate • Dextran • Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline • Lactic Acid • Arnica Montana Flower Extract • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Salix Nigra Bark Extract • Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract • Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract • Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil • Sclerotium Gum • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Titanium Dioxide
Triethylhexanoin • Cyclopentasiloxane • Cetearyl Alcohol • Cyclohexasiloxane • Ceteareth-20 • Polymethyl Methacrylate • Ceteareth-33 • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Oenothera Biennis Oil • Phenoxyethanol • Benzoic Acid • Disodium EDTA • Retinal • Tocopheryl Glucoside • Oleoyl Dipeptide-15 • Mica • Sodium Hydroxide • Silica • BHA • Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31 • Tocopherol • Titanium Dioxide • Caramel • Acid Red 33
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.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholTRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% contains this as ingredient number 9.
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.
Ceteareth-20 is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. It is derived from cetearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.
As an emulsifier, Ceteareth-20 prevents oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant. Surfactants help gather oil, pollution, and dirt to be washed away.
TRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% contains this as ingredient number 15.
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.
Retinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using 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.
Learn more about RetinalTRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% contains this as ingredient number 19.
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.
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 TocopherolTRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% contains this as ingredient number 20.
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
TRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% contains this as ingredient number 34.
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.
Titanium dioxide is known for its UVA and UVB protection properties. It is non-comedogenic and non-irritating. Titanium Dioxide is a physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreens reflect light and prevent it from reaching your skin.
Protecting your skin against UV radiation can prevent the signs of aging. Sun damage is associated with fine-lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and hyperpigmentation. Titanium dioxide can help prevent premature aging.
With modern production, nano-scale or fine-grade titanium dioxide can be easily produced for cosmetics. In sunscreen, titanium dioxide absorbs UV light. Our skin is not able to absorb Titanium dioxide, even nanoparticles.
Titanium itself is the 9th most common element in the Earth's crust. Titanium dioxide is formed when oxygen is introduced and can be found in ores, dust, sand, and soil.
Pure titanium dioxide is a white powder that is used in many products to add or change color.
Learn more about Titanium DioxideTRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% contains this as ingredient number 36.
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains this as ingredient number 23.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
TRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% 36 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
TRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2% 36 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 13 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to TRUology A² Advanced Retinal Serum .2%.
See 13 alternativesWe haven't detected any alternatives for Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream.
