Versus

ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener Versus Louis Widmer Pigmanorm® Creme

Serum
Prescription
American Brand United States
Swiss Brand Switzerland

Updated on June 28, 2024

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid, Vitamin C 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

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and oils

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Retinol Skin Brightener

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Its main roles are:

Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Learn more about Cetyl Alcohol
BHT
Antioxidant, Masking

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 BHT

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
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

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

When to use

43 Routines
14% use in am
86% use in pm
81% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
6 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
83% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

ZO Skin Health Retinol Skin Brightener 49 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating
Broke Me Out (1) Expensive (1) Light Scent (1)
Hey.olesia's avatar

Lexy K

1 month ago
Review

I can’t believe my cosmetologist prescribed me this. Following the exact routine she prescribed with ZO skin this was the thing that ruined whatever progress I had. My skin was breaking out for months and not just the purging type, but got proper red sores on neck etc from irritation. Had to stop, still mourning over the price. But I mean it did ease up my wrinkles. But never use on sensitive Show more

#expensive
#broke me out
#light scent

Louis Widmer Pigmanorm® Creme 27 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Drying (1) Irritating (1) No Scent (1)
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

8 months ago
Review

Louis Widmer’s Pigmanorm has been a game-changer in my skincare routine - I don’t want to gatekeep it. After damaging my skin due to irresponsible retinol use, I spent a lot on brightening products with only mediocre results. However, pairing Pigmanorm with microdermabrasion treatments from October 2023 to April 2024 has reversed so much sun damage. Parts of my melasma and hyperpigmentation have Show more

#drying
#irritating
#no scent
#works well