The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane Versus Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum
Updated on March 04, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe serums. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common
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, parabens 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum 65 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum 65 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Panax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Artemisia Capillaris Extract
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentStearic Acid
Cleansing
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingRetinol 0.1%
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
BHT
Antioxidant
Collagen
Moisturising
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
BHA
Antioxidant
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Skin Conditioning
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Peptide
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Sucrose Distearate
Emollient
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Bakuchiol, Palmitic Acid, Sodium Polyacrylate, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Retinol 0.1%, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Tromethamine, Polyquaternium-51, Beta-Glucan, Cetyl Alcohol, BHT, Collagen, Myristic Acid, BHA, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Ceramide NP, Saccharomyces Ferment, Retinal, Asiaticoside, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Madecassoside, Propylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Glycolipids, Glycine Soja Peptide, Resveratrol, Sucrose Distearate, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, PEG-100 Stearate, Polysorbate 20, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. 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 RetinolBHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum 65 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients
It’s a great value but it’s definitely like rubbing pure oil on your face, squalane breaks me out apparently.
I don’t like the feeling of oil on my face, it’s just too much for me.
Like the texture
I've tried a lot of retinols and liked the texture of this one the most
Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum 65 ingredients
Great for beginers
if you never used retinol Serum, buy this, is a Great Serum, absorb really quick and is perfect for oily skin
Good intro to retinol. Pretty gentle in a serum form with a lot of my favorite ingredients included. It has a scent to it, but I find it enjoyable. It’s left my skin feeling smooth, less irritated, and hydrated. It also helps in reducing redness, which is one of my biggest concerns!
