The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane Versus NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane versus NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense .

Last updated on December 09, 2023. Published on February 22, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

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The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane

NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense

Facial Treatment Canadian Brand Canada

Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

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Buy Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane

Starts at $11.70

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Buy Herbal Infused Blemish Defense

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane 10 ingredients

NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense 26 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

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane 10 ingredients

NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense 26 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin

Reduces Irritation

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting

Concerns

Drying

Irritating

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin (2)

Reduces Irritation

Reduces Large Pores

Dark Spots

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting

Brightening

Concerns

Drying

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema

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Ingredients Compared

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

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane 10 ingredients

NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense 26 ingredients

Squalane • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • Bisabolol • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate • Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone

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.

Squalane

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.

Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.

Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).

In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.

The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.

Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.

Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.

Read more about squalene with an "e".

Learn more about Squalane

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 1.

NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense contains this as ingredient number 10.

Bisabolol

What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning, Soothing

Community Rating: Loved

Bisabolol is pimarily used to add fragrance to a product. However, it is also famous for helping soothe skin.

Bisabolol comes from German chamomile essential oil. Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.

Bisabolol helps soothe skin. It does this by blocking the inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.

Bisabolol 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.

Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.

Learn more about Bisabolol

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 3.

NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense contains this as ingredient number 13.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 4.

NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense contains this as ingredient number 3.

Dimethyl Isosorbide

What it does: Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

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 Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 5.

NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense contains this as ingredient number 5.

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

This ingredient is the fixed oil extracted from seeds of the desert shrub Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil. The seed oil is liquid wax ester from the plant. It is non-comedogenic.

Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient. Jojoba contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect your skin against free-radical damage. This may help in anti-aging.

Jojoba seed oil is a humectant, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some bacteria. It has also been shown to help in wound healing. Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns.

It is found to be similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. Jojoba oil may even help with regulating sebum production.

Although jojoba oil is non-comedogenic, we recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have any concerns.

Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Jojoba is native to the southwestern US.

Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 6.

NourishMax Herbal Infused Blemish Defense contains this as ingredient number 7.

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