Head to head
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane does the same job for less.
Which should you pick?
Pick Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if
- you want the more affordable option
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
What each delivers
Side by side
| Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion | Retinol 0.5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 2% | Retinol 0.5%, Squalane, Jojoba Oil |
| Texture | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. |
| Fragrance | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | One caution |
| Ingredients | 33 listed | 8 listed |
| Price | ~€13 | ~€8 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Both share
Only in Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Fine lines & firmnessEither works
- Dryness & dehydrationGranactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Sensitive, reactive skinRetinol 0.5% in Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€13).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane better for dryness & dehydration?
For dryness & dehydration, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane does the same job for less.
Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€13).
Can I use The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane together?
They are both serums, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.
Compare it with…
All 32 comparisons
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster