Formula · 9.3

Brand · 8.3

The Ordinary · retinoid 2% (granactive + retinol) · Canada

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
9.3

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.8Effect moderately supported
  • Active concentration1.0Concentration within the working range
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “skin texture and pores” — 100 %; glycolic acid; without niacinamide, which makes pores less visible; could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a broad formula across 4 purposes
  • Tolerance1.0No ingredients from irritant or allergen lists
  • adults
  • breastfeedingask a doctor
  • sensitive skinstart low
  • rosaceaask a dermatologist
  • before sunSPF is a must in the daytime
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.
When:
  • leave-on
  • at night
at night; start twice a week, SPF in the daytime
When to expect an effect: wrinkles, tone — 8–12 weeks; acne — 6–8
What is normal: flaking, dryness, mild redness for 2–4 weeks (retinisation)

Ingredients — 29 components · 1 works

What works: 1 of 29 ingredients: retinoid. Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better.

Strengths: active concentration, completeness for the purpose, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: effect moderately supported

Questions: carrageenan — a thickener from red seaweed. It is permitted but debated: in animal studies the degraded form irritated the gut, so people with inflammatory bowel disease are sometimes advised to avoid it. For food-grade carrageenan there is no such proof.

  • AQUA (WATER base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • GLYCERIN base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • ETHYL LINOLEATE base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • PROPANEDIOL base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent from corn sugar: it holds water and helps actives dissolve. A gentler replacement for propylene glycol.
  • CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE base: coating, fillers · a coconut-oil fraction, a light emollient and carrier of actives; does not clog pores
  • DIMETHYL ISOSORBIDE base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • CETEARYL ISONONANOATE base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • BISABOLOL base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • HYDROXYPINACOLONE RETINOATE works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: hydroxypinacolone retinoate + retinol
  • RETINOL works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: hydroxypinacolone retinoate + retinol
  • TASMANNIA LANCEOLATA FRUIT/LEAF EXTRACT base: coating, fillers · the plant base: emollient oils, waxes and care extracts
  • INULIN LAURYL CARBAMATE base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • GLYCERYL STEARATE base: coating, fillers · the basic cream emulsifier (neutral NSE form); the self-emulsifying SE form with added potassium stearate is a separate entry, 3 of 5; does not clog pores
  • CETEARETH-12 base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • CETEARETH-20 base: coating, fillers · an ethoxylated cream emulsifier; paired with cetearyl alcohol — 4 of 5; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • CETEARYL ALCOHOL base: coating, fillers · a fatty-alcohol blend (C16–C18), an emulsifier and thickener, does not dry the skin; paired with ceteareth-20 — 4 of 5; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • CARRAGEENAN questions · a thickener from red seaweed. It is permitted but debated: in animal studies the degraded form irritated the gut, so people with inflammatory bowel disease are sometimes advised to avoid it. For food-grade carrageenan there is no such proof.
  • XANTHAN GUM base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • ACACIA SENEGAL GUM base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • CETYL PALMITATE base: coating, fillers · a wax ester, a thickener and emollient; does not clog pores
  • SUCROSE LAURATE base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • POLYSORBATE 20 base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • ISOCETETH-20 base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE base: coating, fillers · soften, condition and carry the actives; the backbone of the texture
  • TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • DISODIUM EDTA base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • DEHYDROACETIC ACID base: coating, fillers · a preservative against yeast and mould, often paired with benzyl alcohol. Permitted in the EU up to 0.6 %.
  • BENZOIC ACID base: coating, fillers · protect the product from bacteria and mould; used within the EU-permitted concentrations
  • ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN base: coating, fillers · a preservative booster and skin-conditioning ingredient: it barely preserves on its own but helps phenoxyethanol work and lowers the amount needed.
  • PHENOXYETHANOL base: coating, fillers · the most widespread cosmetic preservative: it keeps the product sterile. Permitted in the EU up to 1 %, recognised as safe at that level.
  • CHLORPHENESIN base: coating, fillers · a preservative, usually paired with phenoxyethanol. Permitted in the EU up to 0.3 %.

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is a product whose active ingredient is retinoid at a declared 2 %. The effect is moderately supported: hydroxypinacolone retinoate: gentler than retinol, fewer clinical data. The formula has 29 ingredients, 1 of which does the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Carrageenan (a thickener from red seaweed. It is permitted but debated: in animal studies the degraded form irritated the gut, so people with inflammatory bowel disease are sometimes advised to avoid it. For food-grade carrageenan there is no such proof.). Acne products work on four fronts: dissolve plugs (acids), calm inflammation (azelaic acid, niacinamide, zinc), kill bacteria (benzoyl peroxide, tea tree) and prevent new plugs (a retinoid). One active per front is enough; two or three different fronts work noticeably better. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults. breastfeeding, sensitive skin, rosacea, before sun — ask a doctor. pregnancy — not without a doctor. Use: at night; start twice a week, SPF in the daytime. When to expect an effect: wrinkles, tone — 8–12 weeks; acne — 6–8. Label score — 9.3 out of 10 (effect moderately supported). Retinoids are evening care; the maker notes daytime SPF on the pack. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Who it does not suit

  • pregnancydo not use

When to stop: strong burning, swelling — stop

Per the maker's leaflet: Retinoids are evening care; the maker notes daytime SPF on the pack. A restatement of the label, not an assessment.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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