SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream Versus The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion
Updated on March 15, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream 65 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream 65 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract
Antioxidant
Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate
Emollient
Synthetic Beeswax
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Silica
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Pentaerythrityl Distearate
Emulsifying
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Polyisobutene
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate
Emulsion Stabilising
Cholesterol
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Emollient
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceteth-3
EmulsifyingCeteth-5
EmulsifyingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Phytate
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Myristyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lauryl Alcohol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
Cleansing
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Phenyl Trimethicone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Retinal, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Pinus Pinaster Bark Extract, Polyglyceryl-6 Stearate, Synthetic Beeswax, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sorbitan Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Polyisobutene, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-6 Behenate, Cholesterol, Bakuchiol, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Adenosine, Ceteth-3, Ceteth-5, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopherol, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Phytate, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Sorbitan Oleate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Allantoin, Madecassoside, Ceramide NP, Retinol, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristyl Alcohol, Lauryl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-5 Rapeseed Sterol
Water
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyapatite
Abrasive
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide
Skin Conditioning4-T-Butylcyclohexanol
Masking
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Skin ConditioningErgothioneine
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Emollient
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientHexyldecanol
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum
Skin ConditioningPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Isoceteth-20
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
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 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolRetinal 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 RetinalButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolStearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidBrassica Campestris Sterols isn't fungal acne safe.
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 TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream 65 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
SCINIC Cicanoid Retinal Cream 65 ingredients
I never see a difference
Nice texture, but despite the percentage of retinaldehyde it didn't make any difference
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
So far I have been using this retinol for 2 weeks and already i'm seeing a huge difference in my skin! My skin is so much clearer and my skin texture is slowly being reduced,however this makes ur skin extremely dry after you put it on so wait a couple minutes (10-20) and then put on a GOOD moisturiser for extra barrier strengthening - it is bright yellow and the bottle is literally stained yellow😭 Show more
The best retinal serum for oily skin/acne. Affordable and easy to apply.
