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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream versus Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 .

Last updated on October 07, 2023. Published on November 21, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment American Brand United States
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

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

Shop

Buy HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream

Shop

Buy Renewal Retinol 0.5

Starts at $49.98

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Ceramides

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does:

Polyacrylate-13 is a type of acrylate polymer. Acrylate polymers are commonly used as adhesives in cosmetics.

Polyacrylate-13 creates a film to protect the skin. It is also used to thicken and stabilize a product. It works by making water a gel-like consistency. This gel consistency helps suspend particles.

Polyacrylate-13 is a copolymer of acrylic acid, acrylamide, sodium acrylate, sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate monomers

Learn more about Polyacrylate-13

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyisobutene is a synthetic polymer made from isobutene.

It is a film-forming agent and helps bind ingredients together.

Polyisobutene is not absorbed by the skin.

Learn more about Polyisobutene

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 25.

5
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

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.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 4.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 24.

7
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 20

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 19.

8
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 26.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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 EDTA

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 20.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 21.

11
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

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 Acetate

Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.

Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5 contains this as ingredient number 15.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

29% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
24% have no rating yet
54% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 18 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Urban Skin HyperCorrect Intense Fading Cream.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Alastin Renewal Retinol 0.5.

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