Side-by-side comparison

COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil vs The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum

Both serums contain Retinol, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.

2Shared hero actives
COSRX
The Retinol 0.5 Oil
SerumBudgetEvening only
Fine LinesRough TextureDullness

A beginner-friendly 0.5% retinol in a squalane-rich oil base with sea buckthorn. A gentle introductory retinol that buffers irritation through its oil base; build up slowly and follow with SPF in the morning.

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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 verdict

Which should you choose?

Both contain Retinol. The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum adds Retinyl Retinoate. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil is the better fit for fine lines and dullness; The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum for signs of aging. Both sit in the Budget price tier.

The overlap

What they share

These hero actives appear in both formulas:

RetinolSqualane
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil — top of the list

  • Caprylic/Capric…~30–70%
  • Squalane~5–25%
  • Helianthus Annu…~3–10%
  • Retinol~2–6%
  • Hippophae Rhamn…~1.5–4%
  • Tocopherol~1–2%

The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum — 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%

● 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

COSRX The Retinol 0.5 OilThe Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum
CategorySerumSerum
Price tierBudgetBudget
Best forFine Lines, Rough Texture, DullnessAging, Rough Texture
Usage notesEvening onlyEvening only
Shared hero activesRetinol and Squalane
Questions

Common questions

Is the COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil or The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum better?
It depends on what you're treating. Both contain Retinol; The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum adds Retinyl Retinoate.
What's the difference between the COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil and The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum?
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil's hero actives are Retinol, Squalane and Sea Buckthorn. The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum's are Retinol, Retinyl Retinoate and Squalane.
Are the COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil and The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum dupes for each other?
Partly. They share Retinol, but The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum's Retinyl Retinoate isn't in the other, so they aren't full substitutes.
Can I use the COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil and The Inkey List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum together?
There's no benefit to using two retinoids at once, and it raises the risk of irritation. Pick one.
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1 shared hero active

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