Versus

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane Versus Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream

Updated on December 29, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

Facial Treatment

Canadian Brand Canada

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream

Serum

American Brand United States

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream 24 ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream 24 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

Squalane Emollient, Skin Conditioning

1 / 0

Helps hydrate Dry Skin

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Mixed Full details ->

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil Emollient, Skin Conditioning

0-2 / 0

Oil • Helps hydrate Dry Skin • Not safe for Fungal Acne

This ingredient is the fixed oil extracted from seeds of the desert shrub Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil. The seed oil is liquid wax ester from the plant. It is non-comedogenic.

0-2 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Retinol Skin Conditioning

Retinoid • 8 Benefits • 3 Concerns

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Loved Full details ->

Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract Antioxidant

Antioxidant

Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract is an antioxidant.

Unknown Full details ->

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.

Mixed Full details ->

Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone Skin Conditioning

Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone is a synthetically created molecule made to mimic ginger extract.

Liked Full details ->

BHT Antioxidant, Masking

Antioxidant

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Retinol, Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, BHT

Gentle Retinol Cream

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Loved Full details ->

C13-16 Isoparaffin Solvent

2 Concerns

This synthetic solvent is more commonly known as 'hemi-squalane'. This is due to it having a similar composition of bonded hydrogen and carbon as squalane.

Disliked Full details ->

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

0 / 0

2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Diheptyl Succinate Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Diheptyl Succinate.

Unknown Full details ->

Heptyl Undecylenate Emollient

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Heptyl Undecylenate isn't fungal acne safe.

Disliked Full details ->

1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Mixed Full details ->

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer (let's call it AAVC for short) is a synthetically created polymer. It's used as a film-forming agent and used to thicken the consistency of products.

Disliked Full details ->

Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate Skin Conditioning

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate isn't fungal acne safe.

Disliked Full details ->

Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Liked Full details ->

Vitis Vinifera Masking, Skin Protecting

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Vitis Vinifera refers to grapes.

Liked Full details ->

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil Skin Conditioning

Oil • Not safe for Fungal Acne

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil comes from a green tea plant native to China. It is closely related to Camellia sinensis. Both plants have very similar properties. This plant also has similar properties to olive oil.

Mixed Full details ->

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Mixed Full details ->

Bakuchiol Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Emollient

Antioxidant • 3 Benefits

Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant (it's vegan!). It is often called the replacement for retinol although it is not part of the same family.

Loved Full details ->

Tocopherol Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

0-3 / 0-3

Vitamin E • Antioxidant • 4 Benefits • May cause irritation

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

0-3 Com. / 0-3 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Acmella Oleracea Extract Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Acmella Oleracea Extract.

Liked Full details ->

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Retinol Skin Conditioning

Retinoid • 8 Benefits • 3 Concerns

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Loved Full details ->

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

0 / 0

3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Oil • Helps hydrate Dry Skin • 2 Concerns

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Disliked Full details ->

Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer.

Unknown Full details ->

Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Mixed Full details ->

Salix Alba Bark Extract Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing

Good for Oily Skin

Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.

Liked Full details ->

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent

Antioxidant • 5 Benefits

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Loved Full details ->

Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract.

Unknown Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking, Skin Conditioning

Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Retinol

Skin Conditioning

Loved

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Why is retinol famous?

It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.

Retinol is proven to:

This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).

Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.

We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.

Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.

Read about Tretinoin

Learn more about Retinol

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

Gentle Retinol Cream

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

When to use

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream 24 ingredients

477 Routines

6% use in am

94% use in pm

71% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

246 Routines

5% use in am

95% use in pm

57% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients

3.5 /5

from 2 ratings

Broke Me Out (1) Great Value (1) Heavy (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1) Oily (1)

CaroleD

5 months ago · Combination Skin

Review

It’s a great value but it’s definitely like rubbing pure oil on your face, squalane breaks me out apparently.

I don’t like the feeling of oil on...

It’s a great value but it’s definitely like rubbing pure oil on your face, squalane breaks me out apparently.

I don’t like the feeling of oil on my face, it’s just too much for me.

The Ordinary

Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

glasscasita

2 years ago · Combination Skin

Review

Like the texture
I've tried a lot of retinols and liked the texture of this one the most

The Ordinary

Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream 24 ingredients

3.8 /5

from 4 ratings

Qinasofree

1 year ago · Combination Skin

Review

Good beginner retinol
Been using it for almost a year, and this one tube is plenty. Just remember the precautions you need to take while wearing...

Good beginner retinol
Been using it for almost a year, and this one tube is plenty. Just remember the precautions you need to take while wearing retinol (wearing sunscreen is a must, no acids or vit c on the day you are wearing it). I noticed my acne scars are fading.

Good Molecules

Gentle Retinol Cream

TimWizard

3 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

This triggered seborrheic dermatitis all over my face. I never had trouble with this until I used this. Now I have to use dandruff shampoo to treat...

This triggered seborrheic dermatitis all over my face. I never had trouble with this until I used this. Now I have to use dandruff shampoo to treat the problem. :,(

Good Molecules

Gentle Retinol Cream