Side-by-side comparison

The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

Both are serums. They share a 70% active-ingredient overlap, so the real decision is about price, texture and the supporting ingredients. Here's the side-by-side.

70%Active overlap
The Inkey List
Retinol Anti-Aging Serum
SerumBudgetEvening only
AgingRough TextureSensitive skinDamaged barrier

Stabilised 1% retinoid complex (a blend of retinol and slow-release granactive retinoid) in a squalane base. Budget-priced gentler-than-classical retinol — a reasonable first step into the category.

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The Ordinary
Retinol 1% in Squalane
SerumBudgetEvening only
AgingRough TextureDark SpotsSensitive skinDamaged barrier

The advanced-strength option in The Ordinary's retinol ladder — oil-based, no water, stable. For users who've already tolerated 0.2% and 0.5% and are ready to escalate. Expect visible purging and dryness in the first 2–4 weeks; pair with a barrier-supporting moisturiser and strict AM SPF.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

Both sit in the Budget tier, so cost isn't the deciding factor here — choose on texture, finish and the supporting ingredients. The The Ordinary leans toward Dark Spots.

The overlap

What they share

At 70% active overlap, these are the ingredients doing comparable work in both formulas:

Retinol
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

The Inkey List — top of the list

  • Caprylic/Capri…~50–80%
  • Squalane~5–25%
  • Dimethyl Isoso…~3–10%
  • Isononyl Isono…~2–6%
  • Hydroxypinacol…~1.5–4%
  • Retinol~1–2%
  • Hydrogenated O…~1–2%

The Ordinary — top of the list

  • Squalane~50–80%
  • Caprylic/Capri…~5–25%
  • Retinol1%
  • Solanum Lycope…~2–6%
  • Simmondsia Chi…~1.5–4%
  • Rosa Rubiginos…~1–2%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

The Inkey ListThe Ordinary
CategorySerumSerum
Price tierBudgetBudget
Best forAging, Rough TextureAging, Rough Texture, Dark Spots
Usage notesEvening onlyEvening only
Active overlap70% — Retinol
Questions

Common questions

Is the The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum or the The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane better?
Neither is clearly better — they overlap 70% on active ingredients and sit in the same price tier. The difference comes down to texture, finish and the supporting ingredients, so the right choice depends on your skin type and preferences.
What's the difference between the The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum and the The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane?
Both are serums that share Retinol. Where they differ: the The Ordinary targets Dark Spots.
Are the The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum and The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane dupes for each other?
They share 70% active-ingredient overlap based on published INCI lists, so one can stand in for the other on the actives that matter — chiefly Retinol. A dupe matches the hero actives, not the full sensory experience, so expect differences in texture, fragrance and exact concentrations.
Can I use the The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum and The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane together?
They both fill the serum slot in a routine, so you'd normally pick one rather than layer both. If you want to use both, treat one as your daytime option and the other for evening, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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70% overlap

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