Latest four-week snapshot through 2026-07-31 · 1 wave. Use the controls above to change the window.
Retinol · 1 wave · n=90 answers, pooled
How often each assistant brings the brand up in recommendation answers.
| assistant | share of voice | answers |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | 27% | 8 of 30 |
| Claude | 33% | 10 of 30 |
| Gemini | 23% | 7 of 30 |
Wave-by-wave share of recommendation answers that named this brand.
| wave | share of voice | answers | change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-31 | 28% | 25 of 90 |
Recurring descriptions in the assistants' own words, grouped by theme.
“The Ordinary is great if you are on a strict budget, don't mind an oily texture, and are willing to keep your skincare in the fridge.”
“While The Ordinary is excellent for budget-friendly basics, **Vitamin A is the one skincare step where formulation, stability, and delivery technology matter most.”
“While their products lack the complex, multi-active blends of Paula’s Choice, they are incredibly cheap (mostly under $10–$15) and highly effective.”
“Best if you want single-ingredient, no-frills serums (like pure Niacinamide or Hyaluronic Acid) for under $10.”
“* **The High-Strength Budget Pick: The Ordinary Retinal 0.”
“**The Verdict:** While The Ordinary is much cheaper, **La Roche-Posay** is the vastly superior product.”
“The Ordinary is already one of the lowest-priced active-ingredient skincare brands”
“It isn’t technically retinol—it’s a stronger OTC retinoid with better evidence for preventing clogged pores and treating acne, while also helping texture over time.”
“* *Why it's a great alternative:* While weaker and slower-acting than Retin-A, traditional retinol is highly accessible and deeply affordable.”
“* *Best for:* Beginners and those with sensitive skin.”
191 exact quoted mentions in this snapshot, grouped by coded tone.
“a low-strength, budget-friendly option that delivers retinol in a squalane base, which adds hydration while being more tolerable for beginners”
“The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane — a low-strength, budget-friendly option that delivers retinol in a squalane base, which adds hydration while being more tolerable for beginners.”
“The Ordinary's Granactive Retinoid 2% at $12”
“The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane is a budget-friendly retinol for mild acne and oil control.”
“The Ordinary's Retinol 1% in Squalane is frequently cited as a budget-friendly retinol for mild acne and oil control.”
“Do you have a specific brand/concentration in mind (e.g., drugstore vs. prescription-strength, The Ordinary vs. CeraVe vs. something more premium)?”
“Best no-frills budget pick: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane — $9.30 at Ulta, or $8.83 with replenishment. Great price per ounce, but 0.5% is more "intermediate" than beginner territory and the oily squalane base isn't everyone's favor”
“**The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane** at Ulta — **$9.30**. Note it's an oil-textured formula and is labeled as an intermediate-strength retinol, so I'd skip it if you're brand new to retinoids or dislike oily finishes.”
“This is retinaldehyde (retinal), not retinol. It converts to retinoic acid in one fewer step than retinol, so it's a compelling OTC alternative. But 0.2% retinal is explicitly a high-strength product—best for experienced retinoid users, not”
“**The Ordinary** has built a strong reputation, and for most people, yes—it's generally worth it, with some caveats depending on your skin and goals.”
“The Ordinary's retinols lack these built-in barrier-supporting ingredients, making irritation much more likely.”
“While The Ordinary is cheaper up front, **CeraVe** is a far superior, more stable, and more user-friendly formulation that will yield better long-term results without ruining your skin barrier.”
“While The Ordinary is slightly cheaper, **CeraVe** is the clear winner because a skincare product only works if you use it consistently. CeraVe's gentle, non-greasy, and shelf-stable formulation makes it infinitely easier to stick with over”
“Differin contains *adapalene*, a third-generation retinoid that used to require a prescription. It is far more potent and biologically active than the cosmetic-grade retinols sold by The Ordinary.”
“The Ordinary's products contain cosmetic-grade *retinol*, which your skin must convert twice (retinol $\rightarrow$ retinaldehyde $\rightarrow$ retinoic acid) to actually use.”
Which competitors assistants suggest when shoppers ask for something cheaper.
21 of 192 mentions appear alongside an identifiable web citation. Citation does not establish causation.
| cited source | mentions |
|---|---|
| thingtesting.com | 5 |
| mylondon.news | 2 |
| reddit.com | 2 |
| dermapproved.com | 1 |
| facecutie.com | 1 |
| today.com | 1 |
| youtube.com | 1 |
| wordpress.com | 1 |
| markskinexpert.com | 1 |
| dermatocare.com | 1 |
| koreancosmetics.cy | 1 |
| ringly.io | 1 |
Stores and sites assistants name as places to buy this brand.
| retailer | mentions |
|---|---|
| theordinary | 29 |
| Ulta | 2 |
| Target | 2 |
Method: fixed shopper questions asked repeatedly to Claude, OpenAI GPT and Gemini with web search on. Shares are the percentage of recommendation answers mentioning the brand. Quotes are AI outputs; full transcripts are kept as receipts.