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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion versus Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on February 19, 2021

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

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, oils, 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 Canadian Brand Canada
Night Moisturizer American Brand United States

Serum

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

Night Moisturizer

Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.

Price

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Buy Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

Starts at $11.39
Shop

Buy Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer

Starts at $29.94

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)

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter
Retinoid (2)
Niacinamide
Peptides

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating (3)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

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

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 Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 1.

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 2.

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
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

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 10.

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 22.

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 13.

5
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 28.

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 21.

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

33% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
45% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
25% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
17% 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 Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 33 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 2 reviews
AshN.'s Avatar'
Jan 31, 2024

(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...

(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 too used to it, and I stopped noticing large changes in improvement. Definitely would recommend for beginners looking to add a gentle retinoid to their routine.

Great Value
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
No Scent
Works Well

Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer 24 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review
ShannonFernandes_161's Avatar'
Sep 9, 2023

Has had the biggest impact in terms of clearning skin and overall skin health.

Has had the biggest impact in terms of clearning skin and overall skin health.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 27 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 1 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer.

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