The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane 30ml

Product Information

For more usage details and sample retinol routines, please see my newest post on The Ordinary retinol and retinoids: How To Use The Ordinary Retinol.

Once only found in dermatology clinics but now available over-the-counter, retinol can speed up skin cell regeneration and boost collagen production to smooth, firm and take years off your complexion. Ever the multi-taster, it can also help to unclog pores and prevent acne. Before we dive into granactive retinoid vs retinol, we first need to talk a little bit about retinoids as a whole. Both granactive retinoid and retinol belong to a group called retinoids. Retinoids is just a term for all types of Vitamin A compounds and Vitamin A derivatives. Overall, granactive retinoid is better than retinol because it’s more effective and less irritating. This means it works faster (and better) without the irritation and dryness often associated with retinoids. It’s no surprise that granactive retinoids have taken over the skincare industry. While there are many more OTC retinol products on the market, you will start to see more products with granactive retinoid because it’s so much better than retinol. Retinol Vs Granactive Retinoid: Wrap Up Granactive retinoid is created from advanced retinoid technology that results in a more stable molecule that is slowly released into the skin over time. This allows granactive retinoid to be just as effective as retinol without the irritation that sometimes accompanies traditional retinoids. So, if you’re looking for an anti-aging powerhouse that won’t irritate your skin, granactive retinoid may be the right choice for you. Retinol also should not be used with other potent actives. Any other products that contain potent or acidic ingredients should not be used along with retinol as they can degrade each other or cause an adverse reaction. What Is Granactive Retinoid?Granactive retinoid is not “better” than retinol, per say. Granactive retinoid is stronger, more stable and less irritating than retinol. It’s also more effective. So why choose retinol over granactive retinoid? There are times when retinol still makes sense! If you have extremely sensitive skin or are just starting out with retinoids, retinol is a great place to start. Is The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid a Retinol? Without getting heavy on the chemistry, hydrogenation modifies squalene so that it’s more stable and has a longer shelf life. This modified version is called squalane. The squalane used in skincare products comes from shark liver oil or vegetable oils, though it’s mostly plant-derived due to ethical reasons. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is formulated with two forms of next-generation retinoid actives. It contains 2% Granactive Retinoid, a retinoid complex manufactured by Grant Industries. Research shows that squalane can support wound healing and tissue repair because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It does so by influencing the response of macrophages (white blood cells) to inflammation. You may have heard that extra virgin olive oil can reduce inflammation and one of the components that contribute to this property is squalene. Note : Retinol oxidizes or degrades just like vitamin C, and when this happens the liquid will turn to dark brown. Ensure to keep/store your retinol serum in a cool dry place (away from sunlight) or better still store in your refrigerator to prolong shelf-life.

Moisturising hyaluronic acid and ceramides can help to lessen the severity of retinol side effects. However, Dr Mahto recommends waiting 15 to 20 minutes after applying your retinol serum before applying your chosen moisturiser, so as not to minimise the retinoid's efficacy. What can you not mix with retinol? Granactive retinoid has all the benefits of Retinol and Retinoids– it does the same thing: speed up cell turnover to help with acne, aging, scarring, etc. But Granactive Retinoid does have a few more benefits that make it the superior retinoid. Since retinoids/retinol can cause irritation, the ideal is to avoid combining with other products that cause irritation or decrease its stability. So I dropped down to using it twice a week. As my skin adjusts to this regimen, I am noticing some positive effects. Granative retinoids can provide similar results as retinol but without any or with minimal side effects.The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane is the strongest retinol serum from The Ordinary. While it’s one of the strongest retinoids from The Ordinary, you may see the most irritation, redness, and peeling from this serum. Don’t mix retinol with AHAs or BHAs because using too many active ingredients, too frequently, can spark sensitivity. For this reason, also be careful if using a cleanser with actives. TIP: If you really want to use retinol and vitamin C together, consider using The Ordinary retinol or retinoid serums with a vitamin C derivative like The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%. Apply Ascorbyl Glucoside first and then follow with retinol or a retinoid. Less side effects– Even though granactive retinoids are very strong and effective, they have less side effects than retinoids with similar strengths. So granactive retinoid is less irritating than tretinoin or Retin-A. Which is huge because they can cause lots of side effects like dryness, redness, flaking and lots of irritation. So with granactive retinoid, you’re getting all the benefits of a prescription strength retinoid with less side effects! Start slow with low concentrations and increase from there so your skin can adjust to the product without irritation or adverse effects.

While using The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane I started noticing positive results on my skin texture the first two weeks. But I had to relax and use it a little longer to get a precise review. Performance On Skin Texure. Retinol is a type of retinoid, which is an umbrella term for vitamin A derivatives. Retinoids come in varying strengths. The following retinoids are listed from strongest to weakest: Note: As I mentioned above, I used this procedure just to get a precise review on The Ordinary 1% Retinol in Squalane. However in my regular skincare routine, I cleanse and pat my face with a clean towel (not towelling-off completely) while my skin is damp or moist I apply my hyaluronic acid serum then apply niacinamide serumthen follow up with retinol serum and finally apply my moisturizer. Q: How often do you use The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane on your skin?The reason Retinol is less effective is because it has to go through two conversions for our skin to be able to use it. So when retinol is applied, it doesn’t do anything until those conversions happen. The conversion itself takes some time, which is why retinol is considered less effective than other forms like tretinoin. It also means its more gentle.

Therefore, using a moisturizer that contains squalane is an excellent solution to dry skin. One of the biggest advantages of doing this is that squalane doesn’t have an oily feel. It is an elegant moisturizer that doesn’t clog the pores and is suitable for sensitive skin.You can combine niacinamide and retinolin the same night routine. Niacinamide will do well to calm down irritation and redness caused by retinol and also improve skin barrier function and also minimize large pores (especially for oily skin).