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Dr Sam’s
Flawless Nightly 2% Retinoid Serum

Versus

Vetted Dermlab
R Retinoid

Product category and function

Flawless Nightly 2% Retinoid Serum

R Retinoid

Retinoid Serums/Creams	Retinoid Serums/Creams
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Ingredient highlights

Flawless Nightly 2% Retinoid Serum

R Retinoid

Ingredient info	Ingredient info
Alcohol-free Paraben-free SLS-free Mica-free Fragrance-free cruelty-free	Alcohol-free Paraben-free SLS-free Mica-free Fragrance-free vegan cruelty-free

Full ingredient list

Flawless Nightly 2% Retinoid Serum

R Retinoid

No. of common ingredients = 0
Total Number of ingredients = 22	Total Number of ingredients = 15
Aqua (water), niacinamide, polyglycerin-6, azelaic acid, butylene glycol, dicaprylyl carbonate, glycerin, ethoxydiglycol, cetearyl alcohol, dimethyl isosorbide, bakuchiol, tapioca starch, benzyl alcohol, betaine, sodium stearoyl glutamate, xanthan gum, phenoxyethanol, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, allantoin, disodium edta, dehydroacetic acid, polymethylsilsesquioxane 6	Water, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glycerin, xanthan gum, glyceryl stearate, cetearyl alcohol, sodium stearoyl lactylate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane, isoamyl laurate, isoamyl cocoate, dimethyl isosorbide, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, gluconolactone, lactobacillus ferment.

Notable ingredients

Flawless Nightly 2% Retinoid Serum

R Retinoid

Anti-acne: Niacinamide, Azelaic acid

Soothing: Niacinamide, Azelaic acid, Allantoin

Skin brightening: Niacinamide, Azelaic acid

Soothing: Lactobacillus ferment

Exfoliant: Gluconolactone

Cell-signaling ingredient: Hydroxypinacolone retinoate

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Ingredients with their functions

Flawless Nightly 2% Retinoid Serum

R Retinoid

Aqua (water)

Also-called: Aqua, Aqua/Water, Water/Aqua/Eau, Aqua/Water/Eau | Function: Skin conditioning, Solvent

Water serves as a fundamental component in skincare products, often listed as the first ingredient, which means it's the most abundant. It acts as a solvent, helping to dissolve other ingredients and facilitate the application and absorption of products.

Niacinamide

Also-called: Nicotinamide, Vitamin B3 | Function: Anti-acne, Soothing, Skin brightening, Cell-signaling ingredient

Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is a potent skincare ingredient renowned for its wide-ranging benefits.

It helps to strengthen the skin's barrier function, improve skin texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's also effective in managing acne and reducing redness and inflammation.

Furthermore, it inhibits melanin production, thereby assisting in fading hyperpigmentation and evening out skin tone. Safe for almost all skin types, niacinamide is a versatile ingredient found in various skincare products.

Polyglycerin-6

Function: Humectant/Moisturizer

We don’t have a detailed description of this ingredient yet.

Azelaic acid

Function: Anti-acne, Soothing, Buffering, Skin brightening, Antioxidant

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid found in fungi and certain grains. It offers several benefits for the skin, including reducing inflammation, decreasing redness, killing acne-causing bacteria, fading dark spots, improving skin texture, protecting against free radicals, and reducing sensitivity over time. It can be easily incorporated into skincare routines and works well with other ingredients.

For acne, azelaic acid prevents the thickening of the top layer of dead skin cells, which can clog pores and lead to breakouts. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective for treating inflammatory acne.