Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum vs Algenist Green Microalgae Retinol Plus Regenerating Serum

The Algenist Green Microalgae Retinol Plus Regenerating Serum and the Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum both contain retinol, an ingredient known for its anti-aging properties, alongside a notable range of beneficial nutrients. Algenist's formula is bolstered by chlorella vulgaris extract and various acids aimed at exfoliation, including lactic and glycolic acids, supporting overall skin texture and clarity. On the other hand, Farmacy's offering includes retinal, alongside hydrating ingredients like caprylic-capric triglyceride and ceramide NP, which aid in moisture retention and barrier support. While Algenist employs a more complex mix of exfoliating and regenerative ingredients, Farmacy opts for a simpler, moisture-focused approach, making it potentially more suitable for those with sensitive skin. Ultimately, the choice between these two products may hinge on the desire for either a multifaceted treatment with added exfoliation or a straightforward retinol experience with an emphasis on hydration.

Match
71%
Price
$62.00
Category
Treatments Serums
Type
Face Serum
Ingredients
42 ingredients
Buy
Match
71%
Price
$85.00
Category
Treatments Serums
Type
Face Serum
Ingredients
33 ingredients
Buy

What's inside

What's inside

Key ingredients

Key ingredients

Benefits

Benefits

Concerns

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

  1. WaterSolvent
  2. GlycerinDenaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming Agent, Humectant Skin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Solvent, Viscosity Controller
  3. CAPRYLIC / CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDEFragrance, Perfuming Agent, Occlusive Skin Conditioner, Solvent
  4. ISOPENTYLDIOLSolvent
  5. TRIOCTYLDODECYL CITRATESkin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner
  6. CITRULLUS LANATUS SEED OILSkin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner
  7. 1,2-HEXANEDIOLSkin Conditioner, Solvent
  8. RUBUS IDAEUS SEED OILEmollient Skin Conditioner
+34 more ingredients
  1. PanthenolAntistatic, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
  2. TRIOLEINSkin Conditioner, Viscosity Controller
  3. RETINALSkin Conditioner
  4. Ceramide NPHair Conditioner, Other Skin Conditioner
  5. TocopherolAntioxidant, Fragrance, Other Skin Conditioner, Occlusive Skin Conditioner
  6. RetinolOther Skin Conditioner
  7. TOCOPHERYL ACETATEAntioxidant, Skin Conditioner
  8. HAEMATOCOCCUS PLUVIALIS EXTRACTAntioxidant
  9. HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE / SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMEREmulsion Stabilizer, Viscosity Controller
  10. COPERNICIA CERIFERA WAXabrasive, epilating, exfoliating, film-forming, skin-conditioning-emollient, viscosity-controlling
  11. PONGAMIA GLABRA SEED OILHair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
  12. GLYCERYL DIOLEATEEmollient Skin Conditioner
  13. BisabololFragrance, Skin Conditioner, Soothing Agent
  14. AllantoinSkin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Soothing Agent
  15. DUNALIELLA SALINA EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
  16. ETHYL FERULATEAntioxidant
  17. ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROOT EXTRACTFragrance, Perfuming Agent, Skin Conditioner, Tonic
  18. ARGININEAntistatic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
  19. PropanediolSolvent, Viscosity Controller
  20. CELLULOSE GUMBinding Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer, Film Former, Fragrance, Viscosity Controller
  21. SCLEROTIUM GUMEmulsion Stabilizer, Skin Conditioner, Viscosity Controller
  22. UBIQUINONEAntioxidant, Skin Conditioner
  23. Lactic AcidBuffering Agent, Humectant, Skin Conditioner
  24. SODIUM PHYTATEChelating Agent, Oral Care
  25. Caprylyl GlycolDeodorant, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner
  26. INULINSkin Conditioner
  27. DISODIUM COCOAMPHODIACETATECleansing Agent, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner, Cleansing Surfactant, Foam-Boosting Surfactant, Hydrotropic Surfactant
  28. HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OILEmollient Skin Conditioner, Other Skin Conditioner, Occlusive Skin Conditioner, Solvent
  29. POLYSORBATE 20Cleansing Surfactant, Emulsifying Surfactant
  30. Citric AcidBuffering Agent, Chelating Agent, Fragrance
  31. CELLULOSEAbsorbent, Bulking Agent, Opacifying Agent, Viscosity Controller
  32. FRUCTOSEHumectant
  33. GLUCOSEHumectant
  34. SORBITAN ISOSTEARATEEmulsifying Surfactant

Ingredients Side-by-side

  1. WaterSolvent
  2. GlycerinDenaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming Agent, Humectant Skin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Solvent, Viscosity Controller
  3. CETYL ESTERSSkin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner
  4. CHLORELLA VULGARIS EXTRACTSkin Conditioner
  5. RetinolOther Skin Conditioner
  6. PARACHLORELLA BEIJERINCKII EXOPOLYSACCHARIDESFilm Former, Skin Protectant
  7. Salicylic AcidAnti-Seborrheic, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Keratolytic, Preservative, Skin Conditioner
  8. Lactic AcidBuffering Agent, Humectant, Skin Conditioner
+25 more ingredients
  1. Glycolic AcidBuffering Agent
  2. PHYTIC ACIDChelating Agent
  3. GLUCONOLACTONEChelating Agent, Skin Conditioner
  4. TocopherolAntioxidant, Fragrance, Other Skin Conditioner, Occlusive Skin Conditioner
  5. PanthenolAntistatic, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner
  6. SODIUM PCAAntistatic, Hair Conditioner, Humectant, Skin Conditioner
  7. AllantoinSkin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Soothing Agent
  8. BisabololFragrance, Skin Conditioner, Soothing Agent
  9. HELIANTHUS ANNUUS SEED OILEmollient Skin Conditioner, Other Skin Conditioner, Occlusive Skin Conditioner, Solvent
  10. LECITHINAntistatic, Skin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner, Emulsifying Surfactant
  11. Xanthan GumBinding Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer, Gel Former, Skin Conditioner, Cleansing Surfactant, Emulsifying Surfactant, Viscosity Controller
  12. POLYSORBATE 20Cleansing Surfactant, Emulsifying Surfactant
  13. POLYACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER-6Emulsion Stabilizer, Viscosity Controller
  14. DISODIUM COCOAMPHODIACETATECleansing Agent, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner, Cleansing Surfactant, Foam-Boosting Surfactant, Hydrotropic Surfactant
  15. Citric AcidBuffering Agent, Chelating Agent, Fragrance
  16. ETHYL FERULATEAntioxidant
  17. Sodium HydroxideBuffering Agent, Denaturant
  18. HYDROXYACETOPHENONEAntioxidant
  19. 1,2-HEXANEDIOLSkin Conditioner, Solvent
  20. Caprylyl GlycolDeodorant, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner
  21. EthylhexylglycerinDeodorant, Skin Conditioner
  22. Pentylene GlycolSkin Conditioner, Solvent
  23. TRIDECANEEmollient Skin Conditioner
  24. UNDECANESkin Conditioner, Emollient Skin Conditioner
  25. PropanediolSolvent, Viscosity Controller

Ingredients Explained

Water

Solvent · Shared

Aqua, commonly known as water, serves primarily as a solvent in cosmetic formulations. It is the most abundant ingredient in many products and is essential for dissolving other ingredients, facilitating their application and absorption on the skin. Formulators often add Aqua to create a suitable texture and consistency, ensuring that products are easy to spread and apply. Additionally, water can help to hydrate the skin, making it a vital component in many moisturizing formulations.

Glycerin

Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioner, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming Agent, Humectant Skin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Solvent, Viscosity Controller · Shared

GLYCERIN is a versatile ingredient commonly used in cosmetics for its multiple functions. It acts as a humectant, which means it helps to attract moisture to the skin and hair, making it beneficial for maintaining hydration. Additionally, it serves as a skin-conditioning agent, enhancing the overall feel and appearance of the skin. As a denaturant, it can modify the properties of other ingredients, while its role as a solvent allows for the effective dissolution of other components in a formulation. Furthermore, GLYCERIN contributes to viscosity control, helping to achieve the desired thickness of a product. Its use in oral care products highlights its broad applicability across different cosmetic categories. Formulators may add GLYCERIN to improve the texture, stability, and moisturizing properties of their formulations.

1-2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioner, Solvent · Shared

1,2-HEXANEDIOL is a synthetic diol that serves primarily as a skin-conditioning agent and solvent in cosmetic formulations. Its skin-conditioning properties help to improve the feel and texture of products on the skin, making them more pleasant to use. Additionally, as a solvent, it aids in dissolving other ingredients, ensuring a uniform and stable formulation. Formulators may choose to include 1,2-HEXANEDIOL for its ability to enhance product performance and sensory attributes, contributing to an overall improved user experience.

Panthenol

Antistatic, Hair Conditioner, Skin Conditioner · Shared

Panthenol, also known as Pro-Vitamin B5, is a versatile ingredient commonly used in cosmetic formulations for its humectant and skin-conditioning properties. As a humectant, it helps to attract and retain moisture in the skin, contributing to a hydrated and plump appearance. Additionally, Panthenol is known for its ability to improve skin barrier function and enhance the overall texture of the skin, making it a popular choice among formulators looking to create products that promote softness and smoothness. Its multifunctional nature allows it to be included in a wide range of skincare and haircare products.

Tocopherol

Antioxidant, Fragrance, Other Skin Conditioner, Occlusive Skin Conditioner · Shared

Tocopherol, commonly known as Vitamin E or Alpha Tocopherol, is a fat-soluble antioxidant that plays a crucial role in protecting skin cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Its antioxidant properties help to stabilize and preserve the integrity of cosmetic formulations, thereby enhancing their shelf life and effectiveness. Formulators often include Tocopherol in products to provide additional skin benefits, such as moisturizing and soothing properties, making it a popular choice in skincare and cosmetic products.

Retinol

Other Skin Conditioner · Shared

RETINOL is a cosmetic ingredient recognized for its skin-conditioning properties. It falls under the function of 'skin-conditioning-miscellaneous,' which indicates its role in improving the overall appearance and feel of the skin. Formulators may add RETINOL to enhance the texture and hydration of cosmetic products, contributing to a more refined skin surface. However, it is important to note that RETINOL is classified as a restricted ingredient, which means its use is subject to specific regulations to ensure safety in cosmetic formulations.

Bisabolol

Fragrance, Skin Conditioner, Soothing Agent · Shared

BISABOLOL is a cosmetic ingredient known for its functions as a fragrance, skin-conditioning agent, and soothing agent. As a fragrance, it contributes to the scent profile of cosmetic formulations, enhancing the overall sensory experience. Its skin-conditioning properties help improve the feel and appearance of the skin, making it a valuable addition to various formulations. Additionally, BISABOLOL's soothing function may help to calm and comfort the skin, which can be beneficial in products designed for sensitive or irritated skin types.

Allantoin

Skin Conditioner, Skin Protectant, Soothing Agent · Shared

ALLANTOIN is a cosmetic ingredient known for its functions as a skin-conditioning agent, skin-protecting agent, and soothing agent. As a skin-conditioning agent, it helps to improve the appearance and feel of the skin by enhancing moisture retention and overall skin texture. Its skin-protecting properties may contribute to maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier, while its soothing function can help to alleviate discomfort and promote a sense of calmness on the skin. Formulators may add ALLANTOIN to products to leverage these beneficial properties, enhancing the overall user experience and effectiveness of the formulation.