Head to head
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 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 the more affordable option
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
What each delivers
Side by side
| Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion | Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 2% | Squalane, Jojoba Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 5% |
| 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 | 10 listed |
| Price | ~€13 | ~€19 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Only in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Fine lines & firmnessEither works
- Dryness & dehydrationGranactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Sensitive, reactive skinGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the cheaper of the two (~€13 vs ~€19).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 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 Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion does the same job for less.
Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the cheaper of the two (~€13 vs ~€19).
Can I use The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 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 The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- 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 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
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster