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How we build Daily Power Defense

The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.

DAILY

The original · ZO Skin Health

Daily Power Defense

~$190 Price not confirmed · 50 mL / 1.7 fl oz

A silicone-based antioxidant serum with retinol and peptides (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and tetrapeptide-7) alongside citrus and peppermint oils.

Official product page (opens in new tab)

Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.

Step 2 · The build

Our build 1 part

Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.

The 100 points

What stands out 100 pts

We split Daily Power Defense into 3 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.

Optional

Get closer score under 80

38 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.

Step 3 · Buy

Buy the build

One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.

Skincare SuppliesOct 28, 2026

Your build

  1. 01The OrdinaryThe Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane$9.30

    Running total $9.30

    View product (opens in new tab)

    Not an affiliate link.

Build total$9.30
The splurge~$190
Match38/100

Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.

Other single-product swaps

One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.

budget Closest we found

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

The Ordinary

Match score 38 out of 100

No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.

$9.30 · 1 fl oz (30 ml)
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Retinol 0.5%

Misses

  • Peptides
  • Antioxidant blend

Why it is close. Plain 0.5% retinol in squalane, 1 fl oz. A simple way to test the retinol part of the ZO serum.

Ingredient list source

View product (opens in new tab)

Not an affiliate link.

budget

Resurfacing Retinol Serum

CeraVe

Match score 38 out of 100
$21.99 · 1 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Retinol
  • Niacinamide
  • Ceramides

Misses

  • Palmitoyl peptides
  • Essential oils

Why it is close. A retinol serum with encapsulated retinol, niacinamide and ceramides. Retinol is the shared lever; the peptides are absent.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

Cheaper in store: Retinol Night Serum. In store at Trader Joe's, $9.99 (price as of Oct 28, 2026), no link, we don't earn from this. 1 fl oz. $9.99/fl oz vs $21.99/fl oz, about 55% less per fl oz. A different product, a close match, not identical. Concentration not stated. The ingredient list comes from a third party, so check the label in store: ingredient source (opens in new tab).

What the science says

Full ingredient list

Show the INCI list

Aqua/Water/Eau, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Jojoba Esters, C14-22 Alcohols, Cetearyl Glucoside, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Carbomer, Lactose, Cellulose, Lecithin, Retinol, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Micrococcus Lysate, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20, Farnesol, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Ext. Violet 2 (Ci 60730)

Ingredient list from a third-party listing, not confirmed on the brand site. Source

Questions

What does the 38/100 score for our Daily Power Defense build mean?

We split Daily Power Defense into 3 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 38 of a possible 100. A full 100 needs every standout fully covered.

What is the best dupe for Daily Power Defense?

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane by The Ordinary is our closest single-product match at 38 out of 100 for $9.30 (1 fl oz (30 ml)). It shares Retinol 0.5%.

How much can I save on Daily Power Defense?

Daily Power Defense costs ~$190 for 50 mL / 1.7 fl oz. The closest dupe costs $9.30, a saving of about $180.70. Prices change, so check the seller page.

Is The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane exactly the same as Daily Power Defense?

No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Peptides, Antioxidant blend. See our methodology for how we score.

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