Versus

StriVectin Advanced Retinol Nightly Multi Correct Serum Versus The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on June 13, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain 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 harsh alcohols, 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

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 Side-by-side

found in both products
Advanced Retinol Nightly Multi Correct Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Triheptanoin

Skin Conditioning

Propanediol

Solvent

Myristyl Nicotinate

Skin Conditioning

Dicaprylyl Ether

Emollient

Coconut Alkanes

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Retinol

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Withania Somnifera Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polyglutamic Acid

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Morus Alba Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Chondrus Crispus Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil

Masking
0-2 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Emollient
0 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bacillus/Sea Salt Ferment Filtrate

Skin Conditioning
Can worsen Dry Skin Icon

Helianthus Annuus Extract

Emollient

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Beta-Glucan

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Behenyl Alcohol

Emollient
Fatty Alcohol Icon

Glyceryl Behenate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Lecithin

Emollient

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Masking

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Phytosterols

Skin Conditioning

Polysilicone-11

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Polyisobutene

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

Cleansing

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite

Hydroxyacetophenone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Sorbitan Oleate

Emulsifying
3 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Disodium EDTA

Propyl Gallate

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconFragrance Icon

Caprylhydroxamic Acid

Aminomethyl Propanol

Buffering

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Tin Oxide

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

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 Propanediol
Skin Conditioning

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Why is retinol famous?

It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.

Retinol is proven to:

This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).

Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. 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
Antimicrobial, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.

While Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil can be volatile due to its fragrant properties, the fragrance components are usually removed in the leaf extract.

Rosemary Leaf Extract can help protect your skin against damage from free-radical molecules. It contains many antioxidants such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid.

Rosemarinic acid has been found to help soothe skin conditions such as eczema and acne.

Learn more about Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Masking, Skin Conditioning, Soothing

Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.

This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.

Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.

Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.

All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.

Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.

Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.

Learn more about Bisabolol
Emulsifying

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

When to use

4 Routines
25% use in am
75% use in pm
100% use every day
615 Routines
5% use in am
95% use in pm
68% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

StriVectin Advanced Retinol Nightly Multi Correct Serum 62 ingredients

Advanced Retinol Nightly Multi Correct Serum hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 4 ratings
Light (2) Great Value (2) Hydrating (2)
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

1 year ago
Review

(Used from 2019-2022) This was my very first introduction to using retinoids in my evening routine. With this product I felt that my skin texture and complexion was smoother and brighter. Very gentle formulation, so I felt no irritation at any point. As with most of The Ordinary's products, they make for a great budget buy. Only moved on from this product because I felt that my face was getting Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well