Versus

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion Versus Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++

Serum
Sunscreen
Canadian Brand Canada
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 13, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and cruelty-free . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++

Synthetic Wax

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Dibutyl Adipate

Emollient

Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate

Emollient

Octocrylene

UV Absorber
Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconMay cause irritation IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Dicaprylyl Carbonate

Emollient

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate

Emollient

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

UV Absorber
0 / 0 Chemical UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

UV Filter
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine

Skin Conditioning
Chemical UV Filter Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Ozokerite

Emulsion Stabilising

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract

Emollient

Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract

Skin Conditioning

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Gossypium Herbaceum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sophora Flavescens Root Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Rheum Palmatum Root/Stalk Extract

Astringent

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Astringent

Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract

Skin Conditioning

Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract

Astringent

Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract

Tonic

Pueraria Lobata Root Extract

Humectant

Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Emollient
0-2 / 0 Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Octyldodecanol

Emollient

Polyglyceryl-4 Diisostearate/Polyhydroxystearate/Sebacate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Tocopherol

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

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

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
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

When to use

615 Routines
5% use in am
95% use in pm
68% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
158 Routines
95% use in am
5% use in pm
87% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

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

Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ 48 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 5 ratings
Oily (2) Doesn't Work (1) Great Value (1)
hyggeday's avatar

hyggeday

2 years ago
Review

For reapplication purposes only!
I had so many expectations when I bought this sunstick. Initially I was looking for products to reapply my SPF throughout the day over make-up, and this appeared first on the list. Needless to say I was skeptic about the whole idea as I thought that there is no way it won't ruin my make-up. And I was right... When I applied it, it shifted my make-up and some bits Show more

zahrarev's avatar

Zahraa Alfardan

5 months ago
Review

I got it based on my friend's review. She used it during her trip to Iraq and really liked it, especially under the Iraqi heat🔥.
However, my experience was different. It left a noticeable layer on my skin, which I would say was very oily and ashy, and it was really embarrassing. I only use it for my hands now ;) btw I'm brown skinned and she's light

#pilling
#oily
#light scent
#doesn't work