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
DE
Drunk Elephant · prestige
A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Closest Alternative
Active Match: 76%Formula Similarity: 40% (partial record)
This uses retinol, not retinal (the more potent, direct-acting form Medik8 uses), so despite matching support ingredients like squalane and tocopherol, the core active is a weaker, different molecule requiring conversion in skin.
⚠ retinol vs retinal potency gap⚠ different conversion pathway means slower, milder results
squalanesodium hyaluronatetocopherolMissing: retinal
C55%
No price
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the ordinary · mid-range
Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Closest Alternative
Active Match: 71%Formula Similarity: 17% (partial record)
Contains retinol at 0.5%, not the retinal used in Crystal Retinal 6, so it's a milder, different-generation retinoid despite some shared antioxidant ingredients.
⚠ retinol vs retinal potency gap⚠ lower strength than Medik8's retinal 6
squalanetocopherolMissing: retinalMissing: sodium hyaluronate
D40%
No price
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Ordinary · drugstore
Retinol 1% in Squalane
Closest Alternative
Active Match: 30%Formula Similarity: 10% (partial record)
Uses retinol instead of retinal and lacks tocopherol, making it a chemically different and generally weaker retinoid product despite the higher 1% labeling.
⚠ retinol vs retinal potency gap⚠ no tocopherol antioxidant support⚠ contains BHT instead
squalaneMissing: retinalMissing: sodium hyaluronate
F35%
No price
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The Inkey List · drugstore
Retinol Serum
Closest Alternative
Active Match: 30%Formula Similarity: 15% (partial record)
Simple retinol formula missing both the retinal active and the tocopherol antioxidant found in the source, making it a much more basic and likely less potent product.
⚠ retinol vs retinal potency gap⚠ no tocopherol⚠ minimal supporting ingredient list
squalaneMissing: retinalMissing: sodium hyaluronate
F30%
No price
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M
Murad · drugstore
Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Closest Alternative
Active Match: 30%Formula Similarity: 10% (partial record)
Relies on retinol and retinyl propionate rather than retinal, so the active retinoid chemistry differs significantly despite added niacinamide for other benefits.
⚠ retinol/retinyl propionate vs retinal⚠ no tocopherol⚠ added niacinamide changes formula purpose
squalaneMissing: retinalMissing: sodium hyaluronate
F30%
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.