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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum versus The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane .

Last updated on January 14, 2024. Published on December 02, 2022

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, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Serum Dutch Brand Netherlands
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Vitamin A Serum

Shop

Buy Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane

Starts at $16.10

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Isosorbide

Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 4.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

This 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 Retinoate

Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 7.

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

17% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
67% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
40% are loved or liked
30% have mixed ratings
20% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum 12 ingredients

Vitamin A Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 10 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Oily (2) Great Value (2) Light (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1) Light Scent (1)
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

3 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

(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....

(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 it lasts. The only thing I disliked with this formulation is that it's more similar to an oil rather than a serum.

YuxuanP's avatar

YuxuanP

1 month ago · Combination Skin
Review

This serum is really greasy and not easy to absorb, but for its price point I think the skin feel is just what it is. I personally would not...

This serum is really greasy and not easy to absorb, but for its price point I think the skin feel is just what it is. I personally would not repurchase

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 2 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Dr. Jetske Ultee Vitamin A Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 12 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane.

See 12 alternatives
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