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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum versus Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on June 23, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both 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, 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, 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.

Serum British Brand United Kingdom
Serum Brazilian Brand Brazil

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Retinol Anti-Aging Serum

Starts at $15.00
Shop

Buy 2% Granactive Retinóide

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 (2)
Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture (4)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying (2)
Irritating (4)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Retinoid
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (2)
Rosacea
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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, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

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

The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide contains this as ingredient number 12.

3
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Dimethyl 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 Isosorbide

The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide contains this as ingredient number 2.

5
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide contains this as ingredient number 4.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is a form of retinoid. It can be good for be good for oily skin. It can help to improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne. It can be bad for dry skin and cause irritation.

The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.

Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide contains this as ingredient number 3.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide contains this as ingredient number 8.

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

55% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
32% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
46% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
23% 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

The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum 31 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 4 ratings
YousifShamoon's avatar

YousifShamoon

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

not doing anything?
i've been using this for 2-3 weeks and i see no difference. i know you're supposed to wait 6 weeks and see but i'm using this...

not doing anything?
i've been using this for 2-3 weeks and i see no difference. i know you're supposed to wait 6 weeks and see but i'm using this every single night and i'm not even purging in the slightest. i had a breakout before i started using this and the breakout is still there which also shows that the product is doing nothing. i will finish the product to see if anything happens but my assumption is that it's too weak and my skin can take more, since my skin was used to benzyl peroxide twice a day since i was using effaclar duo+ for 3-4 months.

Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide 13 ingredients

2% Granactive Retinóide hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Principia 2% Granactive Retinóide.

See 50 alternatives
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