Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum versus The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on June 15, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 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 common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Price
Ingredient Info
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum 22 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
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 🎉
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 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not 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
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum 22 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients 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:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients 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:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients 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.
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum 22 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Cyclohexasiloxane • Alcohol Denat. • Pentylene Glycol • Niacinamide • Dimethicone • Glycine Soja Oil • Ppg-6-Decyltetradeceth-30 • Sodium Hyaluronate • Retinol • Adenosine • Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • Caprylyl Glycol • Citric Acid • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Xanthan Gum • Polysilicone-11 • Retinyl Palmitate • Tocopherol • Phenoxyethanol • Parfum
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 WaterLa Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinLa Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 2.
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.
It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.
Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.
Using retinol and retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. 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 RetinolLa Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 10.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 27.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumLa Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 18.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 32.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum 22 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
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum 22 ingredients
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum 22 ingredients
Very good and gentle retinol serum
My retinol journey began with this gentle serum with a concentration of 0.3% retinol: 0.1% pure retinol combined with 0.2% retinol palmitate that ensures gradual release of the active ingredients. It...
Very good and gentle retinol serum
My retinol journey began with this gentle serum with a concentration of 0.3% retinol: 0.1% pure retinol combined with 0.2% retinol palmitate that ensures gradual release of the active ingredients. It din't irritate my skin or cause any major break-outs, just some slight purging in the beginning, but that is concidered a normal reaktion that fades as soon as the skin gets used to it. I recommend it for retinol beginners and people with sensitive skin. [Edited]
Breakout
I woke up with oily skin and bumps after using this product
Breakout
I woke up with oily skin and bumps after using this product
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients
(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...
(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.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 26 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion.
See 26 alternatives