Dupes for Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

by The Ordinary · Serum

3 products come close enough to call a dupe, best match first.

How the match is scored

A dupe is always the same kind of product — a serum is only compared with serums. Within that, two things are scored and blended.

Ingredient Match compares the two ingredient lists. Lists are ordered by concentration, so an ingredient near the top counts for more than one near the bottom; a dupe has to cover what matters most in the original. It weighs most of all.

Attribute Match compares what the two products are for: the benefits their ingredients are known for, such as hydrating or acne fighting. Those benefits come from the ingredients, not from tests of either product.

Only products scoring 60% or more are listed, at most 50. A match is about the formula on the label: it can't see concentrations the label doesn't print, texture, or how a product feels on your skin.

  1. Dupe #1

    Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate

    No7

    Pure Retinol 0.3% Retinol Night Concentrate

    67% match

    96% Attribute Match · 45% Ingredient Match

    They share 13 of this product's 33 ingredients (the dupe lists 27).

    Both are

    • Fragrance-free
    • EU-allergen-free
    • Alcohol-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Sulfate-free
    • Pore-clogger-free
    • Oil-free
    • Reef-safe
    • Cruelty-free

    Both are likely good for

    • Hydrating
    • Barrier Repair
    • Reduces Irritation
    • Redness Reducing
    • Anti-Aging
    • Firming
    • Smoothing
    • Dark Spots
    • Acne Fighting
    • Oil Control
    • Pore Refining
    • Anti-Pollution

    Brand price: USD 42.99 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site

    Compare side by side →
  2. Dupe #2

    Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate

    No7

    Pure Retinol 1% Night Concentrate

    64% match

    89% Attribute Match · 44% Ingredient Match

    They share 13 of this product's 33 ingredients (the dupe lists 30).

    Both are

    • Fragrance-free
    • EU-allergen-free
    • Alcohol-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Sulfate-free
    • Pore-clogger-free
    • Oil-free
    • Reef-safe
    • Cruelty-free

    Both are likely good for

    • Hydrating
    • Barrier Repair
    • Reduces Irritation
    • Redness Reducing
    • Anti-Aging
    • Firming
    • Smoothing
    • Dark Spots
    • Acne Fighting
    • Oil Control
    • Pore Refining
    • Anti-Pollution

    Brand price: USD 42.99 · checked 5 Oct 2026 · on the brand's site

    Compare side by side →
  3. Dupe #3

    Starter Retinol Serum

    The Inkey List

    Starter Retinol Serum

    60% match

    83% Attribute Match · 39% Ingredient Match

    They share 12 of this product's 33 ingredients (the dupe lists 36).

    Both are

    • Fragrance-free
    • EU-allergen-free
    • Alcohol-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Silicone-free
    • Sulfate-free
    • Reef-safe
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free

    Both are likely good for

    • Hydrating
    • Barrier Repair
    • Reduces Irritation
    • Redness Reducing
    • Anti-Aging
    • Smoothing
    • Acne Fighting
    • Oil Control
    • Antioxidant
    • Anti-Pollution

    Brand price: USD 15.00 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · on the brand's site

    Compare side by side →