Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum versus The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on January 10, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe facial treatments. 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, 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 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.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Ingredient Info
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
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:
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 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
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:
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
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.
Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Oleyl Erucate • Glycerin • Triheptanoin • Cetearyl Olivate • Sorbitan Olivate • Cyclodextrin • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Allantoin • Retinal • Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil • Panthenol • Citric Acid • Tocopheryl Acetate • Disodium EDTA • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol
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.
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 TriglycerideGeek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 2.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum 19 ingredients
sword
Changed My Skin Completely
This retinal is genuinely amazing. It's one of the only noncomedogenic retinoids that I've found, and it has such a...
Changed My Skin Completely
This retinal is genuinely amazing. It's one of the only noncomedogenic retinoids that I've found, and it has such a small percentage of retinal that it's very well suited for beginners, especially those with sensitive skin. It has a very light lotion texture that absorbs very easily. I had a very short and light purge - it lasted about a week and a half and I only had some whiteheads, nothing intense. I started using it every third night, but now I'm using it every other night because it's gentle enough that my skin can take it that frequently. But the changes to my skin are VERY noticeable. My skin is almost completely clear, it's less oily, my acne scars are fading very quickly, and my pores have shrunk SO much I didn't think it was even possible for my skin to look like this. This product is absolutely incredible.
elinstrandh
Yes baby, this is the good stuff! When I switched from retinol to this my skincare journey changed completely. In my opinion it’s more effective...
Yes baby, this is the good stuff! When I switched from retinol to this my skincare journey changed completely. In my opinion it’s more effective and a lot less harsh on my skin (coming for someone who has sensitive skin). This is unscented which is also great. Affordable compared to other A-vitamin products out there. Definitely recommend!
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
CaroleD
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.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5 0.05% Retinal Serum.
See 8 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane.
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