Versus

Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum Versus The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on June 28, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 1 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 or sulfates

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Isododecane

Emollient

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Polysilicone-11

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hypnea Musciformis Extract

Skin Protecting

Gelidiella Acerosa Extract

Skin Protecting

Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Humectant
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-10 Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Glycyrrhetinic Acid

Skin Conditioning

Lactis Proteinum

Skin Conditioning

Isohexadecane

Emollient

Propylene Glycol Dicaprate

Emollient

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Acetyl Glucosamine

Skin Conditioning

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

PEG-8

Humectant

Yeast Extract

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

PEG-6

Humectant

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Solvent

Glyceryl Polymethacrylate

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Phosphate

Buffering

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

Polysorbate 80

Emulsifying
0 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Hexylene Glycol

Emulsifying
0-2 / 0-1

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Potassium Hydroxide

Buffering

Tin Oxide

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Disodium Phosphate

Buffering

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Disodium EDTA

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Emollient, Skin Conditioning

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.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan?

This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Is squalane an oil?

Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.

The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.

While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.

Learn more about Squalane

When to use

51 Routines
33% use in am
67% use in pm
82% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
473 Routines
6% use in am
94% use in pm
63% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum 53 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Light (1)
carriedulan's avatar

Carrie Dulan

6 months ago
Review

I still try tretinion every now and again. I've never made it past 3 days a week before the flakes set in. So I use other serums like this one from Clinique. I really love this because I don't have to be as concserned with getting it in my hairline, in the small folds on the each side of my nostrils. I can put it on day (I always use sunscreen) and night and it does knock the edges off any Show more

#expensive
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% In Squalane 8 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 6 ratings
Oily (2) Heavy (1) Hydrating (1)
Gloopatroopa's avatar

aca

29 days ago
Review

This was my first retinol product, The formula is an oil but after applying it, but it doesnt feel oily at all. Theres also no purging nor any stinging. After applying the oil and my usual moisturizer i dont feel heavy. Sometimes after i wake up i may feel a little bit of oily-ness but i usually wash my face in water in the morning so obv its basically not a problem at all when ur sleeping.

My Show more

#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
mlezere's avatar

mlezere

20 days ago
Review

Good deal. It helps me to reduce small wrinkles on my forehead and unclog my pores. Also, it helps me to get rid of pimples.

#hydrating
#oily
#works well