tldr; Reddit recommends The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid as a gentle starter retinoid that's less irritating than retinol or tretinoin for those new to vitamin A.
$12.10 on AmazonScores based on sentiment analysis of topic-related comments
Best praise vs top criticism for The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
“Hey now, the granactive retinoid emulsion might not be the best thing on the market, but it IS cheap enough that I can add it to my body lotion without feeling bad. You can’t put a price on that.”
“Hey, also, you will need to be on an antibiotic for multiple sessions. Two weeks isn’t enough and you shouldn’t have to wait to get a second prescription. Make a plan with your doctor. Ive done six weeks and now my physician is tapering me from the antibiotics.”
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14 Reddit opinions analyzed • Last updated 4/5/2026