Comparison between PCA SKIN Intensive Age Refining Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night vs. SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5

Find out which product is better for your skin.

45 Ingredients 34

1
Water
1
Water
2
Cyclopentasiloxane
2
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
3
Glycerin
3
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
4
Niacinamide
4
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
5
Cetearyl Alcohol
5
Niacinamide
6
Isosorbide Dicaprylate
6
Polyacrylate-13
7
Isoamyl Laurate
7
Squalane
8
Glyceryl Stearate SE
8
Retinol (Vitamin A)
-- Show others --
Uniqueness31 out of 45
68.9%
Uniqueness20 out of 34
58.8%

Positive Effects

Find out what good effects the product has

ECO Metrics

Find out how eco-friendly the components are
Vegan
No
No
Cruelty free
No
No
Reef friendly
Yes
Yes
Ozone layer safe
Yes
Yes
Organic score
natural
11 out of 45
24%
chemical
27 out of 45
60%
natural
10 out of 34
29%
chemical
20 out of 34
59%

Concerns

Pay attention to these components
-- Extra information --

Components by Skin Type

Find out what components are good or bad for your skin type
Dry skin
Positive: 5Negative: 0
Glycerin#3Panthenol#10Butylene Glycol#20Tocopherol#29Sodium Hyaluronate#44
Oily skin
Positive: 0Negative: 1
Glyceryl Stearate SE#8
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 2
Retinol (Vitamin A)#16Citric Acid#42
Dry skin
Positive: 3Negative: 0
Tocopherol#12Glycerin#20Butylene Glycol#22
Oily skin
Positive: 0Negative: 2
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil#3Laureth-23#24
Sensitive skin
Positive: 0Negative: 1
Retinol (Vitamin A)#8

Detailed view

PCA SKIN Intensive Age Refining Treatment 0.5 Pure Retinol Night vs. SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5
Position 1
Both products have the same component on this position.

#1Water

Origin: natural
Role: Solvent
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Water is a great solvent. It’s neutral and doesn’t provide any strong positive or negative effects. It just helps components to mix better and to transport active components.

Position 2

#2Cyclopentasiloxane

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Emollient, Hair conditioning, Solvent
Protection
Silicones
EWG Rating [ 3 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Cyclopentasiloxane is a fluid silicone. It’s non-greasy and doesn’t have any scent or color. It evaporates pretty fast which makes this ingredient essential when it comes to making products that have to dry quickly. It also gives a nice silky feeling when you apply the product to the skin and hair. It leaves a thin film that protects the skin after evaporation.

Cyclopentasiloxane is chemically neutral, meaning it doesn’t react with other components.

-- versus --

#2Cetyl Ethylhexanoate

Origin: chemical
Role: Emollient
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ B ]
Position 3

#3Glycerin

Origin: natural
Role: Fragrance ingredient, Hair conditioning, Humectant, Solvent, Viscosity controlling agent
Moisturizing
Softening
Hair structure improvement
Hair gloss
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Good for dry skin
Good for dry skin

Glycerin is one of the most outstanding and helpful skincare components. It's used in many skincare products because it works and provides notable results. It's one of the best moisturizers. Molecules of Glycerin can absorb water and deliver it into deep layers of the skin making it hydrated.

The component is researched very well. Many scientific researches confirm the safety and the efficiency of the component.

-- versus --

#3Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil

Origin: natural
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Emollient, Fragrance ingredient
Antioxidants
Moisturizing
Acne fighting
Lifting
Healing
Regeneration
Malassezia unsafe
Comedogenic rating [ 3 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]
Bad for oily skin
Bad for oily skin
Position 4

#4Niacinamide

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Hair conditioning, Smoothing
Antioxidants
Acne fighting
Pore Shrinking
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lightening
Elasticity improvement
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and it’s a superman in cosmetics. This ingredient is researched very well. It has a lot of positive reviews from scientists and experts. It's very important for healthy skin. The lack of this vitamin can cause dryness, itching, and sun sensitivity. The component removes small wrinkles and fine lines, heals wounds, and prevents the forming of cancer cells. It also makes the skin tone even by removing dark spots. It increases ceramide synthesis which increases the overall health of your skin. It fights acne and lowers pores.

Researches say that 4-5% of Niacinamide is the most effective concentration for skincare use.

-- versus --

#4Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Origin: natural
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Fragrance ingredient
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient that also hydrates the skin without leaving a fatty film. When applied, the component feels smooth and light. In haircare products, it’s also used for hydrating purposes. It makes hair silky, lowers tangling, and makes hair smooth.

It’s safe for most people, except for people with allergic reactions to coconut or palm oil because these oils are usually used for producing the component.

Position 5

#5Cetearyl Alcohol

Origin: chemical
Role: Emollient, Emulsifying agent, Emulsion stabilizer, Foam booster, Surfactant, Viscosity controlling agent
Comedogenic rating [ 2 ]
EWG Rating [ 1 ]
CIR Rating [ A ]

Cetearyl Alcohol is used mostly for formulation purposes. It’s a very good emulsifier and emulsion stabilizer. It helps the ingredients mix better and it makes the product spread on your skin evenly. It also makes the product thicker. It doesn’t belong to harmful alcohols and it will not dry your skin.

-- versus --

#5Niacinamide

Origin: chemical
Role: Skin conditioning agent, Hair conditioning, Smoothing
Antioxidants
Acne fighting
Pore Shrinking
Soothing
Anti-aging
Lightening
Elasticity improvement
EWG Rating [ 1 ]

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and it’s a superman in cosmetics. This ingredient is researched very well. It has a lot of positive reviews from scientists and experts. It's very important for healthy skin. The lack of this vitamin can cause dryness, itching, and sun sensitivity. The component removes small wrinkles and fine lines, heals wounds, and prevents the forming of cancer cells. It also makes the skin tone even by removing dark spots. It increases ceramide synthesis which increases the overall health of your skin. It fights acne and lowers pores.

Researches say that 4-5% of Niacinamide is the most effective concentration for skincare use.

Skin Signal
2023 - 2024

The most advanced ingredient checker and cosmetics analyzer. Take a look "inside" the skincare products you use every day.

Disclaimer: All the information on the website is not a medical advice. Visit a doctor if you have problems.

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