Educational guide
Guerlain Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum
Guerlain Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum This smoothing serum is formulated around Gluconolactone and Royal Jelly to refine skin texture and soften the lo
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Guerlain Abeille Royale Double R Renew & Repair Advanced Serum Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum
This smoothing serum is formulated around Gluconolactone and Royal Jelly to refine skin texture and soften the look of wrinkles.
This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Bifida Ferment Lysate and Sodium Hyaluronate to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Glycerin
Propanediol
Alcohol
Gluconolactone
Butylene Glycol
Pentylene Glycol
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Squalane
Mel
Diglycerin
Mel Extract
Royal Jelly
Sodium Hydroxide
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Lauroyl Lysine
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Glyceryl Stearate
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Parfum
Glycolic Acid
Sorbitol
Chlorphenesin
Carbomer
Citric Acid
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Lactic Acid
Sodium Magnesium Silicate
Dimethicone
Xanthan Gum
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Algin
Sodium Benzoate
Sodium Citrate
Hydrolyzed Soy Flour
Malva Sylvestris Extract
Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Adenosine
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Polyvinyl Alcohol
Biosaccharide Gum-2
Caprylyl Glycol
Caramel
Cellulose Gum
Potassium Sorbate
CI 77492
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Yeast Ferment Extract
Silica
CI 77491
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Mel, Diglycerin, Mel Extract, Royal Jelly, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lauroyl Lysine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Parfum, Glycolic Acid, Sorbitol, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Citric Acid, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Lactic Acid, Sodium Magnesium Silicate, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Algin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour, Malva Sylvestris Extract, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Adenosine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Biosaccharide Gum-2, Caprylyl Glycol, Caramel, Cellulose Gum, Potassium Sorbate, CI 77492, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Yeast Ferment Extract, Silica, CI 77491
Bifida Ferment Lysate
PEG-8
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
Methyl Gluceth-20
Glycereth-26
PEG-75
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Tripeptide-32
Faex Extract
Lactobacillus Ferment
Cola Acuminata Seed Extract
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Hydrolyzed Algin
Pantethine
Caffeine
Lecithin
Sodium Rna
Bisabolol
Oleth-3 Phosphate
Oleth-3
Oleth-5
Choleth-24
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters
Ceteth-24
Tocopheryl Acetate
Triethanolamine
Tetrasodium EDTA
BHT
Disodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
CI 14700
CI 19140
Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, PEG-8, Propanediol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, PEG-75, Butylene Glycol, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Tripeptide-32, Sodium Hyaluronate, Faex Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Pantethine, Caffeine, Lecithin, Sodium Rna, Bisabolol, Squalane, Glycerin, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Oleth-3, Oleth-5, Choleth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters, Ceteth-24, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Tetrasodium EDTA, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700, CI 19140
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Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.
Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.
Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).
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.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Squalane is the hydrogenated and shelf-stable form of squalene (a lipid that naturally occurs in human sebum).
It is an emollient and skin conditioning agent that is able to integrate seamlessly into the skin's lipid barrier without clogging pores.
This is due to how structurally similar it is to what your skin already produces.
Though it is mostly an emollient that helps soften and hydrate skin, it also has some humectant and occlusive action. Humectants help the skin retain moisture while occlusives seal it in, making squalane a triple-threat moisturizer.
Research shows it has antioxidant capabilities that help protect against stressors like UV exposure, specifically UVA induced oxidative stress. This study also found that it supports collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts.
No clinical study has reported significant adverse effects and irritation reactions are very rare from this ingredient (even at 100% concentration).
Overall, it's a fantastic ingredient for hydration and is suitable for all skin types.
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Though squalane is often called an oil, it’s technically not one. It is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is only made of carbon and hydrogen. True oils are triglycerides and made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
Squalane has a comedogenic rating of 1 from the original 1972 study that tested raw ingredients under occlusion on rabbit ears. This system is not standardized or peer-reviewed, and using the raw ingredients is very different from how diluted cosmetic formulations are used on human skin.
A comedogenic rating of 1 means it is "unlikely to clog pores" according to the original rating system.
The overall formula of a product matters more than the individual ingredients on whether or not it will cause clogged pores.
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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.