Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum Versus The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Updated on January 14, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. 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 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.
Ingredient Info
Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum 12 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 10 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
Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum 12 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 10 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Isostearyl Isostearate
Emollient
Octyldodecanol
EmollientDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Lecithin
Emollient
Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane, Isostearyl Isostearate, Octyldodecanol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Lecithin, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Dimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.
As a solvent, dimethyl isosorbide helps dissolve other ingredients. This helps ensure even distribution of an ingredient. It may also be used to decrease the thickness of a product.
Studies show dimethyl isosorbide is able to penetrate skin to deliver other ingredients into the skin, making them more effective.
Learn more about Dimethyl IsosorbideThis ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes retinol and tretinoin.
Retinoids have been proven to:
So what is the difference between all the retinoids? Most retinoids need to go through a conversion line to become effective on skin. The ending product is retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is AKA tretinoin.
HPR is an ester of tretinoin. Emerging studies suggest HPR to have an added benefit that other retinoids don't have: Low irritation.
A study from 2021 found HPR to have the greatest stability when exposed to light and temperature out of all the commercial retinoids.
A note about naming: The name "Granactive" is the trade name and the name most commonly used on packages.
Granactive is the name of the mixture - about 90% solvent and 10% HPR. A product with 5% granactive has 0.5% HPR.
Learn more about Hydroxypinacolone RetinoateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum 12 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 10 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum 12 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 10 ingredients
Fantastic, affordable, retinol product that is gentle and gets the job done! I've used once a week and gone through two bottles. My skin is super-sensitive, so have been impressed with the tolerance it has had for this product. Others may find this oily, but that's because it is squalane oil, not a serum. I'm now tentatively progressing to 0.1% retinal. Wish me luck!
(Tried May 2023) Another retinoid in The Ordinary's lineup that I enjoyed using. As far as efficacy, it's the strongest of the three formulations. This is what I upgraded to after using The Ordinary's Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. I experienced no irritation with this product despite it's strength and I liked how radiant my skin felt the next morning. Very affordable for the amount and how long Show more
