Vetted Dermlab R Retinoid Serum Versus Skin Rocks Retinoid 1
Updated on February 05, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
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 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
Vetted Dermlab R Retinoid Serum 15 ingredients
Skin Rocks Retinoid 1 42 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Vetted Dermlab R Retinoid Serum 15 ingredients
Skin Rocks Retinoid 1 42 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
Emollient
Isoamyl Laurate
Emollient
Isoamyl Cocoate
Dimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningIsononyl Isononanoate
EmollientDiisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingEthylhexyl Isononanoate
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycine Soja Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter
Emollient
Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Bidens Pilosa Extract
HumectantPolyisobutene
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Withania Somnifera Root Extract
Skin ConditioningTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Bisabolol
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether
EmulsifyingSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingWater, Isononyl Isononanoate, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Glycerin, Squalane, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bakuchiol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Withania Somnifera Root Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Bisabolol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phytosterols, Citric Acid, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sorbitan Isostearate, Phenethyl Alcohol
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 GlycerinXanthan 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 GumGlyceryl 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 StearateThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
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 TriglycerideSqualane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneDimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.
As a solvent, dimethyl isosorbide helps dissolve other ingredients. This helps ensure even distribution of an ingredient. It may also be used to decrease the thickness of a product.
Studies show dimethyl isosorbide is able to penetrate skin to deliver other ingredients into the skin, making them more effective.
Learn more about Dimethyl IsosorbideThis ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes retinol and tretinoin.
Retinoids have been proven to:
So what is the difference between all the retinoids? Most retinoids need to go through a conversion line to become effective on skin. The ending product is retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is AKA tretinoin.
HPR is an ester of tretinoin. Emerging studies suggest HPR to have an added benefit that other retinoids don't have: Low irritation.
A study from 2021 found HPR to have the greatest stability when exposed to light and temperature out of all the commercial retinoids.
A note about naming: The name "Granactive" is the trade name and the name most commonly used on packages.
Granactive is the name of the mixture - about 90% solvent and 10% HPR. A product with 5% granactive has 0.5% HPR.
Learn more about Hydroxypinacolone RetinoateIngredient Ratings
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