Dupes / Serums / The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

[ DUPE_FINDER · 335 SERUMS COMPARED ]

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane dupes: 2 serums with the closest formula

We compared The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane's full ingredient list with every serum in the DemythSkin database, weighting the ingredients that do the work (Retinol, Squalane and Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil) far above fillers. These are the closest matches, each with its own efficacy and safety score.

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
THE ORIGINAL
The Ordinary
Retinol 1% in Squalane
Does it work?
4.2/ 5.0
4.2Effective
Is it safe?
4.2/ 5.0
4.2Gentle
Lowest price we have$9.90
44%FORMULA
MATCH
Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face Serum
CLOSEST DUPE
Minimalist
Retinol 0.3% Face Serum
Does it work?
4.0/ 5.0
4.0Effective
Is it safe?
4.4/ 5.0
4.4Gentle
Lowest price we have$9.20

Shares Squalane and Retinol. Ingredient lists don't state amounts, so strengths may differ.

[ 01 · FORMULA_SIDE_BY_SIDE ]

What does the work in each formula

Every ingredient graded on the same S to D scale the scanner uses. Solid chips are in both products; dashed chips are in only one.

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face Serum
Doing the work · 5 and 7 ingredients
SGold StandardsHigh clinical proof
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneRetinol
Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face SerumRetinol
AReliableProven results
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneSqualaneSimmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face SerumSqualaneTocopheryl AcetateUbiquinone
BPotentDeveloping evidence
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneHydroxymethoxyphenyl DecanoneBHT
Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face SerumTriheptanoinBakuchiolBHT
Not doing the work · 2 and 0 ingredients
COverhyped / MarketingHype · limited data
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneSolanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face SerumNone detected
DDocumented irritantsEvidence-backed flag
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneNone detected
Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face SerumNone detected
FORMULATION BASE (1 · 4)1 shared ⌄
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in SqualaneCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face SerumCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideIsododecaneCoco-Caprylate/CapratePolysorbate 20
[ 02 · ALL_DUPES ]

The 2 closest dupes, ranked by formula match

Match is how much of The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane's weighted formula a product shares. Scores are each product's own, so a dupe can match closely and still score differently.

#ProductMatchWorks · SafePrice
01
Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face Serum
Minimalist
Retinol 0.3% Face Serum
Shares Squalane and Retinol
44%
Works4.0
Safe4.4
$9.20
02
Global Beauty Care Retinol Double Facial Serum
Global
Beauty Care Retinol Double Facial Serum
Shares Squalane and Retinol
35%
Works3.7
Safe4.3
—

Prices are the lowest retailer price in our records; a dash means we don't have one. We earn a commission if you buy through a "Find on Amazon" link. It never affects scores or matches.

[ 03 · HOW_WE_MATCH ]

How we find a dupe

01

Same product type

Serums are compared with serums, from the products we've scored.

02

Actives count most

S and A-grade actives weigh up to 30 times more than water, glycerin or thickeners. A dupe must share at least one key active.

03

30% match or more

Below that it isn't a dupe. Same brand and renamed versions of the original are left out.

A label lists ingredients, not amounts. Two products can share every ingredient at different strengths, so a high match means a similar formula, not a guaranteed identical result.

[ 04 · FAQ ]

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane dupes, answered

What is the best dupe for The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane?

On formula, Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face Serum: a 44% match, sharing Squalane and Retinol. It scores 4.0 for efficacy and 4.4 for safety on DemythSkin's ingredient analysis. Global Beauty Care Retinol Double Facial Serum is next at 35%.

Is Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face Serum the same as The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane?

Their ingredient lists overlap closely (44% by our weighted match), but labels list ingredients, not amounts. Two products can share ingredients at different strengths, so treat it as a close formula, not a confirmed copy.

What is a cheaper alternative to The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane?

Of the dupes we have a price for, the lowest is Minimalist Retinol 0.3% Face Serum at $9.20 (a 44% formula match), against $9.90 for The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane. Prices are the lowest retailer price in our records and change often.

How do you calculate the match percentage?

We compare full ingredient lists of the same product type, giving proven actives up to 30 times more weight than water, glycerin or thickeners. A dupe must share at least one key active and reach a 30% match; products from the same brand are left out.

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