Viva Cosmetics Whitening Cream Versus Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream
Updated on May 17, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both facial treatments. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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Ingredient Info
Viva Cosmetics Whitening Cream 23 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 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
Viva Cosmetics Whitening Cream 23 ingredients
Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Methylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
BHT
Antioxidant
Arbutin
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Acetyl Tyrosine
Skin ConditioningSaxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingAminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentGlutathione
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Petrolatum, PEG-100 Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Paraffinum Liquidum, Dimethicone, Parfum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, BHT, Arbutin, Citric Acid, Sodium Sulfite, Acetyl Tyrosine, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Glutathione
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Squalane
Emollient
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Microcrystalline Wax
Emulsion Stabilising
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
BHT
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Oleoyl Dipeptide-15
Skin Conditioning
Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31
Antioxidant
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Glucoside
EmollientTriethanolamine
BufferingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Paraffinum Liquidum, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Wax, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, BHT, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Oleoyl Dipeptide-15, Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31, CI 17200, Retinal, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Triethanolamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTGlyceryl 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 StearateParaffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.
Like other oils, Paraffinum Liquidum has emollient properties. Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. By creating a barrier to trap moisture within, emollients help keep your skin hydrated.
Paraffinum Liquidum does not irritate the skin and is non-comedogenic.
Learn more about Paraffinum LiquidumPeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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