The Formula rx Renaissance Gentle Retinol Complex Serum Versus Minimalist Granactive Retinoid 02%
Updated on October 24, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid, 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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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
The Formula rx Renaissance Gentle Retinol Complex Serum 16 ingredients
Minimalist Granactive Retinoid 02% 38 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Formula rx Renaissance Gentle Retinol Complex Serum 16 ingredients
Minimalist Granactive Retinoid 02% 38 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventDicaprylyl Ether
EmollientBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningDimethyl Isosorbide
SolventEthoxydiglycol
HumectantCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventHydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Arachidyl Alcohol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lysine
Skin ConditioningHistidine
HumectantArginine
Masking
Aspartic Acid
MaskingThreonine
Serine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantProline
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Alanine
MaskingValine
MaskingMethionine
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningLeucine
Skin ConditioningTyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingCysteine
Antioxidant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Pullulan
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Lecithin
EmollientWater, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lysine, Histidine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Proline, Glycine, Alanine, Valine, Methionine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Cysteine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sclerotium Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Lecithin
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 WaterPropanediol 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 PropanediolDimethyl Isosorbide is a solvent and helps deliver actives into your skin. It is created from sorbitol.
As a solvent, dimethyl isosorbide helps dissolve other ingredients. This helps ensure even distribution of an ingredient. It may also be used to decrease the thickness of a product.
Studies show dimethyl isosorbide is able to penetrate skin to deliver other ingredients into the skin, making them more effective.
Learn more about Dimethyl IsosorbideSodium 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 HyaluronateThis 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 RetinoatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ethylhexylglycerin (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.
When to use
The Formula rx Renaissance Gentle Retinol Complex Serum 16 ingredients
Minimalist Granactive Retinoid 02% 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Formula rx Renaissance Gentle Retinol Complex Serum 16 ingredients
Minimalist Granactive Retinoid 02% 38 ingredients
I have been using this for almost a month or so and this really helps with my closed comedos around my cheek and I’m pretty sure my fine lines slowly fades??? Maybe because other products too but still it’s faster than not!! And this doesn’t really sting me just smells a bit smoky but it’s not bothering me whatsoever just thought it was pretty cool.
But of course you have to be consistent and Show more
