Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream versus The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion .
Last updated on May 06, 2024. Published on February 02, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 9 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, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Ingredient Info
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
- Glycine Soja Oil
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
- Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Oryza Sativa Bran Wax
- Stearic Acid
- Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
- Palmitic Acid
- Sorbitan Isostearate
- Elaeis Guineensis Oil
- Myristic Acid
- Lauric Acid
- Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Butylene Glycol • Glycerin • Glycine Soja Oil • Tocopherol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Trehalose • Panthenol • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Dimethicone • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Carbomer • Retinol 0.3% • Tromethamine • Glyceryl Stearate • Polysilicone-11 • Sodium Sulfite • Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract • Allantoin • Glyceryl Caprylate • Propanediol • Oryza Sativa Bran Wax • Tocotrienols • Stearic Acid • Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate • Palmitic Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin • Disodium EDTA • Adenosine • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sorbitan Isostearate • 1,2-Hexanediol • Elaeis Guineensis Oil • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Beta-Carotene • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Myristic Acid • Hyaluronic Acid • Lauric Acid • Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate • Ascorbic Acid • Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil • 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid • Glutathione
Water • Glycerin • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Ethyl Linoleate • Propanediol • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Cetearyl Isononanoate • Bisabolol • Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate • Retinol • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract • Inulin Lauryl Carbamate • Glyceryl Stearate • Ceteareth-12 • Ceteareth-20 • Cetearyl Alcohol • Carrageenan • Xanthan Gum • Acacia Senegal Gum • Cetyl Palmitate • Sucrose Laurate • Polysorbate 20 • Isoceteth-20 • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone • Behentrimonium Chloride • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Disodium EDTA • Dehydroacetic Acid • Benzoic Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol • Chlorphenesin
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCOSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 TriglycerideCOSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 3.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCOSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 2.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCOSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 16.
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 RetinolCOSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 10.
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateCOSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 13.
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.
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.
It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolCOSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream contains this as ingredient number 28.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 5.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream contains this as ingredient number 34.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 31.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTACOSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream contains this as ingredient number 35.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 28.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
AshN.
(Used from 2019-2022) This was my very first introduction to using retinoids in my evening routine. With this product I felt that my skin texture...
(Used from 2019-2022) This was my very first introduction to using retinoids in my evening routine. With this product I felt that my skin texture and complexion was smoother and brighter. Very gentle formulation, so I felt no irritation at any point. As with most of The Ordinary's products, they make for a great budget buy. Only moved on from this product because I felt that my face was getting too used to it, and I stopped noticing large changes in improvement. Definitely would recommend for beginners looking to add a gentle retinoid to their routine.
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