Side by side
The main difference is the form of vitamin A. Retinol is the form with the stronger evidence for fine lines; retinyl palmitate has to be converted in the skin first and is considered much milder.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Elluvi Hydra Glow Cream | Saeed Ghani Anti Aging Retinol Night Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A form | Retinol | Retinyl palmitate |
| Strengths stated | Yes: 0.3% retinol, 5% niacinamide, 2% alpha arbutin | No |
| Other actives | Alpha arbutin, kojic acid, hyaluronic acid, peptide | Niacinamide, shea butter, lanolin |
| Fragrance | Yes | Yes |
| When to use | Night only | Night; brand says day use is fine too |
| Size and price | 50 ml, Rs. 1,449 | 40 g, Rs. 800 |
| Returns | 14-day skin guarantee, even opened | 30 days, unused only |
Why retinol and retinyl palmitate are not the same thing
Skin converts retinyl palmitate to retinol and then to retinoic acid, the form that acts. Each step loses strength, so a retinyl palmitate cream is gentler and slower than a retinol cream. That suits very sensitive or first-time skin, but it is not a like-for-like swap for a stated retinol percentage.
Who should pick which
Pick Hydra Glow Cream if you want true retinol at a known strength plus dark-spot actives, and can use it at night with sunscreen every morning. Pick Saeed Ghani's cream if you want a gentler, richer moisturiser with a mild vitamin A ester, or a lower price for a first try.
Neither cream is for use in pregnancy without a doctor's advice. Start any retinoid at two to three nights a week.
