CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum Versus Simply Vital Collagen, Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid Cream

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum Versus Simply Vital Collagen, Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid Cream Detailed comparison of CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum versus Simply Vital Collagen, Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid Cream. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Ceramide NP and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin. Water Glycerin Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Potassium Cetyl Phosphate Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Polysorbate 20 PEG-40 Stearate Cyclopentasiloxane Hydroxyethylcellulose Potassium Phosphate Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Carbomer Niacinamide Isoceteth-10 Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer Triethanolamine Cetearyl Alcohol Behentrimonium Methosulfate Cichorium Intybus Root Extract Lecithin Retinol Silica Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Cholesterol Phenoxyethanol Tocopherol Alcohol Hydroxyacetophenone Citric Acid Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Pentylene Glycol Xanthan Gum Phytosphingosine Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Ethylhexylglycerin Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Isoceteth-10, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Lecithin, Retinol, Silica, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ethylhexylglycerin Cocos Nucifera Oil Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Stearyl Alcohol Stearic Acid Isopropyl Myristate Hydrolyzed Collagen Hyaluronic Acid Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer Caprylyl Glycol Potassium Sorbate Imidazolidinyl Urea EDTA Persea Gratissima Oil Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Tocopheryl Acetate Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, EDTA, Carbomer, Persea Gratissima Oil, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss. Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid. In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel. While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns. Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source. This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out. This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%. Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture. Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%. It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier. Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%. A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome. On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive. Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10). You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own. Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depe