Somethinc Granactive Snow Retinoid 2% Versus The Originote Retinol B3 Serum
Updated on January 30, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and retinoid
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 parabens, silicones or sulfates
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
Somethinc Granactive Snow Retinoid 2% 30 ingredients
The Originote Retinol B3 Serum 52 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
Somethinc Granactive Snow Retinoid 2% 30 ingredients
The Originote Retinol B3 Serum 52 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Squalane
Emollient
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientDipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglycerin-3
Humectant
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bisabolol
Masking
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingAlbatrellus Confluens Extract
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine
HumectantSodium Phytate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Squalane, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Dimethyl Isosorbide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Tocopherol, Bisabolol, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Allantoin, Tromethamine, Albatrellus Confluens Extract, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Dilauramidoglutamide Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-26
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventVp/Va Copolymer
Methylpropanediol
SolventAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water
Skin ConditioningAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Antioxidant
Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract
Skin ConditioningPaeonia Lactiflora Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Soluble Collagen
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Solvent
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Mannitol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Hexapeptide-9
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
EDTA
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Vp/Va Copolymer, Methylpropanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Glyceryl Glucoside, Nymphaea Caerulea Flower Water, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Extract, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Stephania Tetrandra Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, BHT, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Soluble Collagen, Phospholipids, Ergothioneine, Retinol, Retinal, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Mannitol, Propylene Glycol, Ubiquinone, Centella Asiatica Extract, Artemisia Argyi Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Cholesterol, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-9, Ceramide NP, EDTA
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene 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 GlycolPentylene 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 Glycol1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
This ingredient is a retinoid. It usually goes by a more common name: "Granactive".
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR) belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes retinol and tretinoin.
Retinoids have been proven to:
So what is the difference between all the retinoids? Most retinoids need to go through a conversion line to become effective on skin. The ending product is retinoic acid. Retinoic acid is AKA tretinoin.
HPR is an ester of tretinoin. Emerging studies suggest HPR to have an added benefit that other retinoids don't have: Low irritation.
A study from 2021 found HPR to have the greatest stability when exposed to light and temperature out of all the commercial retinoids.
A note about naming: The name "Granactive" is the trade name and the name most commonly used on packages.
Granactive is the name of the mixture - about 90% solvent and 10% HPR. A product with 5% granactive has 0.5% HPR.
Learn more about Hydroxypinacolone RetinoateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
