MDSolarSciences Evening Retinol Serum Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum

MDSolarSciences Evening Retinol Serum Versus Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum

This anti-aging serum is formulated around Retinol and Niacinamide to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.

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

Dimethicone

Propanediol

Niacinamide

Nylon-12

Glycerin

Polysilicone-11

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Retinol

Caffeine

Ferric Hexapeptide-35

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Water

Ferulic Acid

Chamomilla Recutita Extract

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Tremella Fuciformis Extract

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Vitis Vinifera Callus Culture Extract

Laminaria Digitata Extract

Sophora Flavescens Root Extract

Zea Mays Oil

Sodium Hyaluronate

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

Proline

Diatomaceous Earth

Rosa Moschata Seed Oil

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Butylene Glycol

Polyacrylate-13

Hexylresorcinol

Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate

Ethyl Linoleate

Carbomer

Dimethiconol

Polyisobutene

Glycine Soja Oil

Sorbitol

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Lecithin

Sodium Hydroxide

Polysorbate 20

Alcohol

Polyurethane Crosspolymer-1

Xanthan Gum

Phenylpropanol

Water, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, Glycerin, Polysilicone-11, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Retinol, Caffeine, Ferric Hexapeptide-35, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Water, Ferulic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Vitis Vinifera Callus Culture Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Zea Mays Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Proline, Diatomaceous Earth, Rosa Moschata Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylate-13, Hexylresorcinol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethyl Linoleate, Carbomer, Dimethiconol, Polyisobutene, Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Lecithin, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, Polyurethane Crosspolymer-1, Xanthan Gum, Phenylpropanol

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

Sodium Rna

Bisabolol

Squalane

Oleth-3 Phosphate

Caprylyl Glycol

Oleth-3

Oleth-5

Choleth-24

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Jojoba Wax PEG-120 Esters

Ceteth-24

Tocopheryl Acetate

Triethanolamine

Tetrasodium EDTA

BHT

Potassium Sorbate

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.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring plant compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa pods, and guarana.

As an antioxidant, caffeine protects your skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure and envionrmnetal stressors.

Early research also shows that caffeine can help calm redness, soothe irritated skin, and support hair growth by stimulating microcirculation in the scalp.

You might have seen eye creams marketing caffeine as a depuffing ingredient. This is because it is a vasoconstrictor meaning it can temporarily constrict blood vessels, though clinical evidence for this specific use is still limited.

Most skincare products contain this ingredient at concentrations between 1-6%. It is able to penetrate skin easily regardless of skin type or thickness.

Just so you know, a very small number of case reports describe caffeine-induced allergy. This ingredient is generally well-tolerated, non-irritating, and non-sensitizing for the majority of people.

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.

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of phospholipids.

Thanks to its amphiphilic structure (water-loving head and oil-loving tail), it is a true multitasker:

It plays well with most ingredients and is typically used at 0.1-1%. However, concentrations up to 50% have been reported in moisturizers.

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.

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.

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