TheOrdinary

Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

4 Reviews

• 윌리엄h

  Jun 21, 2025 (UTC)
  Dry SkinAcne Skin

  Review under verification

  The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.

  OK

  Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers

  This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.

  OK
  Pros

  It has a lightweight texture that's gentle on combination skin. I think it would be great for those with oily skin types.

  Cons

  I didn't have any blemishes with Innisfree's PDRN line, but after using this, I'm noticing some breakouts.

  Tip

  The product seems to have different effects on various skin types. While it may be suitable for oily or combination skin due to its light consistency and non-irritating formula, it might not agree with all skin types. Some users may experience breakouts, so it's important to patch test and monitor your skin's reaction when trying new products.

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• 두둥요정

  Mar 15, 2024 (UTC)
  Combination Skin

  Review under verification

  The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.

  OK

  Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers

  This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.

  OK
  Pros

  Unfortunately, I didn't find any positives. It's disappointing that this product didn't work for me, especially since most people seem to love it. I'll have to look for a different retinol product.

  Cons

  This product just doesn't agree with my skin. I developed blemishes, which made me wonder if it was due to my other skincare products. But when I applied my usual products and then this one, I got three new pimples or blemishes! It's clearly not compatible with my skin.

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• pudyyr

  Nov 17, 2021 (UTC)
  Combination SkinSensitive Skin

  Review under verification

  The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.

  OK

  Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers

  This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.

  OK
  Pros

  When I wake up after applying it before bed, it's hard to tell if my skin is puffy or taut (my eyes are a bit swollen too...), but it's in a state of being fully saturated with hydration.

  Cons

  After applying, my cheeks feel hot and flushed. Also, a couple of blemishes pop up the next day... Most importantly, the pores on my cheeks became significantly enlarged after using this... I wanted to make good use of retinol for anti-aging, but it's not as easy as I thought.

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• 로함

  Jul 2, 2021 (UTC)
  Combination SkinAcne Skin

  Review under verification

  The content is currently being reviewed by the Hwahae operations team, and the verification will be completed by the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays) from the date the review was written.

  OK

  Reviewed by The Hwahae Testers

  This review was written by The Hwahae Testers who received the product for free and evaluated it with a sense of representing Hwahae. The review is completely unbiased and honest, with no guidelines or restrictions. Reviews by The Hwahae Testers undergo the same strict verification process as regular reviews, and if they don't meet our standards, revisions will be requested.

  OK
  Pros

  I started using this as an alternative to Differin, which I got from the hospital. Differin was expensive and going to the hospital was a hassle. I learned that Differin is a retinoid, so I decided to try this product instead. My skin tends to have a lot of sebum and small blemishes, but they're gradually decreasing. While it might not be as effective as Differin for acne, I definitely feel like my skin's elasticity has improved. It also helps fade acne marks faster, which I didn't see much with Differin. The best part is that it's affordable yet powerful, so I can use it generously without worrying about the cost like I did with Differin.

  Cons

  At first, I naively applied it like a regular emulsion and my skin felt like it was peeling off - the dead skin cells were shedding like crazy. Now I use the right amount and it's fine. It works on small blemishes, but occasionally I still get larger, pus-filled pimples. It doesn't prevent hormonal breakouts during my period either. I'm in my 20s, so I can't speak to its effectiveness on wrinkles. The skin around my eyes and mouth feels irritated when I apply it there, which is unfortunate since that's where I have the most wrinkles. Compared to Differin, it's definitely less effective. Differin dried up my sebum so well that I could cleanse with just water, but with this, I feel a bit greasy and need to use soap. The smell is really, really strange - unlike anything I've ever encountered. It's hard to describe... like a pungent chemical? Just weird. Also, the English instructions say to refrigerate after opening, but the Korean doesn't mention this. What's up with that? I bought it from Market Kurly - why not consider Korean customers too? The dropper doesn't have a rubber seal, so it's loose and comes off easily. I thought retinoids shouldn't be exposed to air, but I guess the experts know what they're doing? I'm just a high school graduate, so what do I know?

  Tip

  I mix a drop with my emulsion and apply it all over my face, avoiding the eye area and around the mouth, then let it absorb. For areas with more sebum production (forehead, nose, etc.) or where I have small blemishes, I apply a drop or two of this product alone. Start with a small amount and gradually increase, because if you use too much at first, your face will feel like you've scrubbed it raw.