Top Active Matches & Dupes
Exact science-based dupes appear first. When a strict dupe is not available yet, we still show the closest active-match alternatives from the same product category.
Science-Led
the ordinary · mid-range
Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Active MatchTop 3 actives align
Active Match: 95%Formula Similarity: 28% (partial record)
Same retinol active with tocopherol as antioxidant and a squalane base, close to Drunk Elephant's formula, though it lacks the hyaluronic acid and linoleic acid.
⚠ no sodium hyaluronate⚠ no linoleic acid⚠ contains BHT and fragrance-like component (hydroxymethoxyphenyl decanone)
retinolsqualanetocopherolMissing: sodium hyaluronate
B82%
No price
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M
Medik8 · prestige
Crystal Retinal 6
Closest Alternative
Active Match: 76%Formula Similarity: 40% (partial record)
Uses retinaldehyde (retinal) instead of retinol—a different, faster-converting retinoid—so it's not a true match despite sharing squalane and tocopherol.
⚠ retinal is stronger/faster acting than retinol, may irritate more⚠ lacks linoleic acid
sodium hyaluronatesqualanetocopherolMissing: retinol
C55%
No price
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Ordinary · drugstore
Retinol 1% in Squalane
Closest Alternative
Active Match: 50%Formula Similarity: 18% (partial record)
Shares retinol and a squalane base but drops tocopherol and the hyaluronic acid/linoleic acid combo, so it's a higher-strength retinol product without the same supporting actives.
⚠ no tocopherol⚠ no sodium hyaluronate⚠ higher 1% retinol may be more irritating
retinolsqualaneMissing: sodium hyaluronateMissing: tocopherol
D45%
No price
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PC
Paula's Choice · mid-range
0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment
Closest Alternative
Active Match: 54%Formula Similarity: 12% (partial record)
Only shares retinol; it swaps in bakuchiol, peptides, and ceramides instead of the hyaluronic acid/linoleic acid/tocopherol combo, making it a different-style retinol treatment.
⚠ no tocopherol⚠ no linoleic acid or hyaluronic acid⚠ added bakuchiol changes the formula's purpose
retinolMissing: sodium hyaluronateMissing: squalane
F35%
No price
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M
Murad · drugstore
Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Closest Alternative
Active Match: 54%Formula Similarity: 25% (partial record)
Shares retinol (plus a bonus retinyl propionate) but lacks tocopherol, linoleic acid, and hyaluronic acid, and adds niacinamide, making the overall actives profile quite different.
⚠ no tocopherol⚠ no sodium hyaluronate⚠ added niacinamide changes formula focus
retinolsqualaneMissing: sodium hyaluronateMissing: tocopherol
F35%
No price
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We rank results with INCI-level analysis first, then fall back to the strongest active matches and closest alternatives so every product page still shows comparable options. Fallbacks stay within the same category as the source product, so cleansing balms only surface cleanser dupes instead of adjacent product types. Active Match % measures shared science-backed actives. Formula Similarity % measures total ingredient overlap when full INCI lists are available.