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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 versus The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane .

Last updated on February 16, 2024. Published on May 08, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, 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

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 American Brand United States
Facial Treatment Canadian Brand Canada

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.

Price

Shop

Buy Retinol 0.3

Starts at $78.00
Shop

Buy Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

Starts at $8.30

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Retinol

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 contains this as ingredient number 13.

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 4.

2
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

BHT also helps stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Many products are sensitive to air and light. BHT prevents them from breaking down when exposed.

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 contains this as ingredient number 21.

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 8.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

36% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
38% have mixed ratings
13% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 22 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 2 reviews
CaroleD's Avatar'
Dec 26, 2023

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.

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.

Great Value
Hydrating
Broke Me Out
Heavy
Oily
No Scent
glasscasita's Avatar'
Sep 13, 2021

Like the texture
I've tried a lot of retinols and liked the texture of this one the most

Like the texture
I've tried a lot of retinols and liked the texture of this one the most

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3.

See 3 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane.

See 4 alternatives
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