Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% versus The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion .
Last updated on March 15, 2024. Published on March 21, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid and Vitamin E
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.
Ingredient Info
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% 37 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 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 🎉
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 🎉
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
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% 37 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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:
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% 37 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Propanediol • Triheptanoin • C13-15 Alkane • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Carbomer • Faex Extract • Apricot Kernel Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters • Soy Amino Acids • Punica Granatum Seed Extract • Cetyl Diglyceryl Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone • Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract • Olivine Extract • Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer • Cellulose • Phenoxyethanol • Sorbitan Oleate • Sodium Metabisulfite • Retinal • Guanosine • Uracil • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 • C9-12 Alkane • Caprylyl Glycol • Polyglyceryl-10 Dipalmitate • Dipropylene Glycol • Sodium Hydroxide • Glyceryl Polyacrylate • Tocopherol • Pvm/Ma Copolymer • Adenosine Phosphate • Castor Oil/Ipdi Copolymer • Potassium Sorbate • Hexadecene • Sodium Benzoate • T-Butyl Alcohol
Water • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Propanediol • Pentylene Glycol • Hydroxyapatite • Retinal • Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide • 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol • Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid • Ergothioneine • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Bisabolol • Brassica Campestris Sterols • Zingiber Officinale Root Extract • Butylene Glycol • Isohexadecane • Hexyldecanol • Maltodextrin • Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Stearic Acid • Isoceteth-20 • Polysorbate 60 • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Tocopherol • Lactic Acid • Sodium Lactate • Sodium Hydroxide • 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 WaterNaturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% contains this as ingredient number 1.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 1.
Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.
It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolNaturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% contains this as ingredient number 3.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 3.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateNaturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% contains this as ingredient number 6.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 2.
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.
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% contains this as ingredient number 17.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 31.
Retinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using 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.
Learn more about RetinalNaturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% contains this as ingredient number 20.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 6.
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a texture enhancer and pH adjuster.
It is be used to thicken water-based products and create a gel-texture with a velvet feel.
One manufacturer claims this ingredient to have a pH range of 2-8 and to be biodegradable.
Learn more about Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% contains this as ingredient number 23.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 20.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideNaturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% contains this as ingredient number 28.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 29.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolNaturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% contains this as ingredient number 30.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 26.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% 37 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% 37 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10% 37 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
GemKelly
This is a very effective product at an incredible price point. It has a bright lemon yellow colour that will stain your skin for the night, as well...
This is a very effective product at an incredible price point. It has a bright lemon yellow colour that will stain your skin for the night, as well as your pillowcases, but washes out. I use it every second night and have seen significant improvement in the fine lines on my face since I started using it about 4 weeks ago. One and a half pumps does my whole face. I've experienced no retinization symptoms from either retinoid emulsions that I've used from The Ordinary, and prior to the using them I had never used a retinoid, and I believe that the emulsion is an effective yet gentle delivery method.
I really like the pump that the Retinal 0.2% is sold in. The product is light safe and doesn't need to be kept in the fridge.
