The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
5.2
/ 10
Moisturizing
9.3 Humectancy icon Humectancy
1.2 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
2.5Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle

Review

Results you may expect from using The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.2 out of 10.
  • Some anti-wrinkle efficacy: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion has an anti-wrinkle rating of 2.5 out of 10 so you may expect some, although limited, effect on wrinkles.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion has a moisturizing rating of 5.2 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 1.2 out of 10 and a very high humectancy of 9.3 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈6.0%) and Propanediol (est. ≈3.0%).

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion has a slight anti-wrinkle rating of 2.5 out of 10. It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Retinol (est. ≈0.1%), 
 the most effective non-prescription ingredient with well-proven efficacy to reduce wrinkles.
 
Among others, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion also contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, this ingredient does not contribute to the anti-wrinkle rating.
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver additional anti-wrinkle efficacy through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
75
Water
6
Glycerin
4
Ethyl Linoleate
3
Propanediol
2
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
1.5
Dimethyl Isosorbide
1.3
Cetearyl Isononanoate
1
Bisabolol
0.3
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
0.1
Retinol
0.3
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
0.3
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
0.3
Glyceryl Stearate
0.3
Ceteareth-12
0.3
Ceteareth-20
0.3
Cetearyl Alcohol
0.3
Carrageenan
0.3
Xanthan Gum
0.3
Acacia Senegal Gum
0.3
Cetyl Palmitate
0.3
Sucrose Laurate
0.3
Polysorbate 20
0.3
Isoceteth-20
0.3
Behentrimonium Chloride
0.3
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
0.3
Disodium EDTA
0.3
Dehydroacetic Acid
0.3
Benzoic Acid
0.3
Ethylhexylglycerin
0.3
Phenoxyethanol
0.3
Chlorphenesin
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Ethyl Linoleate
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Function:
Origin:
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Function:
Origin:
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Function:
Origin:
Bisabolol
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Function:
Origin:
Retinol
Function:
Origin:
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Stearate
Function:
Origin:
Ceteareth-12
Function:
Origin:
Ceteareth-20
Function:
Origin:
Cetearyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Carrageenan
Function:
Origin:
Xanthan Gum
Function:
Origin:
Acacia Senegal Gum
Function:
Origin:
Cetyl Palmitate
Function:
Origin:
Sucrose Laurate
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 20
Function:
Origin:
Isoceteth-20
Function:
Origin:
Behentrimonium Chloride
Function:
Origin:
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Dehydroacetic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Benzoic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Chlorphenesin
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
9.3
6
3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
2.3
2.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 9.3 10
9.3
6
3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 2.3 20
1.2
2.0
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
3
0.3
All humectants 9.3 10
9.3
All humectants
9.3
6
3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
2
0.3
All occlusives 2.3 20
1.2
All occlusives
2.3
2.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
10 /10 0.4 0.1 2.5
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
2.5
Retinol
2.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
10 /10
when present at, %
0.4
in this formula, est. %
0.1
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
2.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.6 3 No
All antioxidants
0.6
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
0.3
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
1
0.3
All soothing 1.3 5 No
All soothing
1.3
1
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %75
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Glycerin
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Ethyl Linoleate
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Ethyl LinoleateDescription is coming soon
Propanediol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideA natural occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient, it is a blend of glycerin and two fatty acids, caprylic and capric acid. It creates an oil-based protective layer on the skin, thereby preventing water loss.
Dimethyl Isosorbide
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Dimethyl IsosorbideA solvent for active ingredients that is claimed to help them better penetrate the outer layer of skin. It also helps to reduce the thickness of a product.
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Cetearyl IsononanoateA naturally-derived (coconut or palm oil based) oil with medium richness. It makes skin feel soft and smooth.
Bisabolol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
BisabololAn anti-inflammatory compound found naturally in German chamomile essential oil. It has a pleasant, sweet, and floral scent. Bisabolol also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties but can cause an allergic reaction in more sensitive individuals.
Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydroxypinacolone RetinoateThe newest derivative of vitamin A with improved stability, less irritation, and (allegedly) direct vitamin A action. Studies recommend it for acne treatment and collagen-boosting effects.
Retinol
Est. %0.1
Function
Origin
Retinol

One of the most famous and well-researched anti-aging ingredients with a maximum anti-wrinkle power of 10 out of 10. It is proven to decrease wrinkles and help the skin regain its thickness, firmness, and texture. Retinol is also effective in treating pigmentation issues such as dark spots and acne.

Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf ExtractDescription is coming soon
Inulin Lauryl Carbamate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Inulin Lauryl CarbamateDescription is coming soon
Glyceryl Stearate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glyceryl StearateAn emollient and emulsifier typically derived from vegetable sources through a chemical reaction with glycerin. It provides stability, texture, and consistency to formulations. Its main function is to allow oil and water to mix.
Ceteareth-12
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ceteareth-12A waxy emulsifier that can build stable emulsions.
Ceteareth-20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ceteareth-20A fatty alcohol emulsifier that helps to mix oil and water together, best for oil-in-water emulsions. It is also a cleansing agent. When combined with cetearyl alcohol, ceteareth-20 forms a mix that, according to acne.org, can be comedogenic.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cetearyl AlcoholA blend of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, the fatty alcohols that are derived from palm oil. It helps to create emulsions that give off a soft and silky emollient feel and also increase product thickness.
Carrageenan
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CarrageenanA gum-like thickener derived from a species of red algae called Irish moss. It helps to form a soft film on the skin, and aids in stabilizing product forms.
Xanthan Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Xanthan GumA natural multi-functional ingredient that originates from fermented sugars. Xanthan gum acts as a viscosity-building agent to thicken skincare products. It is also an excellent stabilizer and works well to hold other ingredients together.
Acacia Senegal Gum
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acacia Senegal GumA formula helper, also known as gum arabic, derived from the African Acacia tree. It is used in skincare formulas due to its good adhesive and film-forming properties.
Cetyl Palmitate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cetyl PalmitateA moisturizing occlusive and emollient wax ester that consists of cetyl alcohol and palmitic acid. In nature, cetyl palmitate is found, and was first identified, in spermaceti, a waxy substance from inside the skull of the sperm whale.
Sucrose Laurate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sucrose LaurateDescription is coming soon
Polysorbate 20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 20A viscous, amber-colored liquid that functions as a solubilizer to disperse small amounts of oil into a large water phase. Polysorbate 20 is frequently used to solubilize fragrance oils into water-based emulsions.
Isoceteth-20
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Isoceteth-20A synthetically produced emulsifier and surfactant. It can create foam for mild cleansing or help stabilize oil-in-water emulsions.
Behentrimonium Chloride
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Behentrimonium ChlorideDescription is coming soon
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Trisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateA chelating agent that disables harmful heavy metal ions present in skincare.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Dehydroacetic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Dehydroacetic AcidA globally approved preservative ingredient. It is a powerful fungicide and a moderate bactericide, which makes it a broad-spectrum preservative. Because it is mildly effective against bacteria, it is often paired with stronger bactericides.
Benzoic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzoic AcidA preservative effective against fungi, yeast, and some bacteria. It is commonly paired with phenoxyethanol to create a broad spectrum preservation system. Benzoic acid can also serve as a pH adjuster, fragrance, and bulking agent.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Chlorphenesin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
ChlorphenesinA preservative and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that protects products from a wide range of bacteria and fungi.