Versus

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% Versus The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalane

Prescription
Serum
Italian Brand Italy
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on April 16, 2025

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.

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 Triglyceride

When to use

241 Routines
1% use in am
99% use in pm
69% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
253 Routines
8% use in am
92% use in pm
62% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Menarini Tretinoin Gel 0.05% 11 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Drying (1) Great Value (1) Works Well (1)
SailorMoon_954's avatar

SailorMoon_954

1 year ago
Review

help with my acne but drying

m51's avatar

m

17 days ago
Review

It is amazing for acne. I had forehead acne where it was cysts, comedies, fungal acne. It went all away using this. I had deep rooted scarring and hyperpigmentation marks and scars and this helped heal it all. Problem is you can burn yourself if you don’t use it sparingly, in a consistent routine. It also is very very drying so you need to moisture a lot. It also causes ur skin to flake as this Show more

#great value
#drying
#works well

The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalane 8 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Great Value (2) Hydrating (2) Oily (2)
Twili's avatar

Liv

3 months ago
Review

I find retinols dry out parts of my combo skin so I’m really glad this doesn’t do that. While yes it does have an oily texture this does absorb over time and helps with the moisture absorbency in my opinion. This works really well

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#oily
featherstone's avatar

flora

7 months ago
Review

Brightened my skin and maintained hormonal acne, would visibly treat my larger spots overnight! Also was nicely hydrating when I forgot my moisturiser

Definitely not good for fungal acne, didn’t know I had FA and that this was contributing to it- would continue to use if that wasn’t the case :P

#great value
#hydrating
#oily