The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.
The original · Face Reality
$54 · 1 oz
A retinaldehyde serum in a cyclodextrin delivery system with niacinamide and a small glycolic acid helper.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
The Ordinary
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split Retinal B3 Serum into 3 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
Retinaldehyde has controlled data on photoaged skin; the strength in this serum is unpublished, so a published 0.1-0.2% product is a reasonable but unconfirmed match.
Supports barrier and oil control.
A small exfoliating helper.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.
Optional
49 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
77 is our ceiling. Retinal (retinaldehyde) has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 75% credit. Glycolic acid has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 50% credit.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total $14.90
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
The Ordinary
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Why it is close. A published 0.2% retinal emulsion at $14.90. Same retinoid, strength you can see.
Not an affiliate link.
Minimalist
Why it is close. Retinal plus an adapalene ester and bakuchiol at $15. Adds more actives than the Face Reality serum.
Naturium
Why it is close. A published 0.10% retinaldehyde cream serum at $31.99.
Not an affiliate link.
The Ordinary
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
No gain nowThe Ordinary
Naturium
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
No gain nowNaturium
Minimalist
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowMinimalist
Topical retinaldehyde improved photoaged skin and was well tolerated in open and controlled studies.
Creidi 1999 · Dermatologyaqua (water), glycerin, cyclodextrin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, niacinamide, phenoxyethanol, butylene glycol, glycolic acid, xanthan gum, sclerotium gum, propanediol, rubus chamaemorus (cloud berry) seed oil, potassium sorbate, ethylhexylglycerin, retinal (retinaldehyde), pentylene glycol, tetrasodium edta, lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) flower extract, mirabilis jalapa flower/leaf/stem extract, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract, rosmarinyl glucoside, caffeyl glucoside, gallyl glucoside, saccharide isomerate
We split Retinal B3 Serum into 3 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 49 of a possible 77. 77 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion by The Ordinary is our closest single-product match at 49 out of 100 for $14.90 (0.5 fl oz (15 ml)). It shares Retinal 0.2%, Bisabolol, Tocopherol.
Retinal B3 Serum costs $54 for 1 oz. The closest dupe costs $14.90, a saving of about $39.10. Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Niacinamide, Cyclodextrin delivery. See our methodology for how we score.
Obagi · treatment
$49.29our build, 3 partsOriginal $135, build $49.29.
CeraVe + The INKEY List + The Ordinary
SkinBetter Science · exfoliant
~$37our build, 4 partsOriginal $125, build ~$37.
The Ordinary
SkinBetter Science · serum
~$52.98 + check priceour build, 4 partsOriginal ~$195, build ~$52.98 + check price.
CeraVe + The Ordinary + Vanicream + Paula's Choice