Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum Dupes & Cheaper Alternatives
From 34 Reddit threads · Updated October 2, 2026
0.1% retinol with retinal and bakuchiol for beginners; very mild. The catch: still irritated very sensitive skin. Here's what Redditors reach for instead.
The short answer
Best Overall AlternativeStrong OTC retinol for acne and aging · $11.90 · 29.6 ml
Best Cheaper AlternativeWatery, fast-absorbing centella · $6.00 · 30 ml vs $13.60 for the original
Same Active: RetinolStarter retinoid with low-irritation rep
#1
Best Overall Alternative
- Key actives: Retinol 1%
- Size: 29.6 ml
- Price per ml: $0.40/ml (original $0.46/ml)
The why
One minus
Rough starter strength — redness, peeling, and purging are common
Good forOily Skin
Both recommended for Anti-Aging.
“Retinol - I had some leftover TO Retinol 1% in Squalene that my face hated but I saw it suggested for chest wrinkles here and l've been using it prior to applying the patch every night.”
— Reddit, r/SkincareAddiction
The original, at a glance
- Why people love it
- Starter retinoid with 0.1% retinol
- Price
- $13.60 · 29.9 ml · $0.46/ml
#2
Best Cheaper Alternative
- Size: 30 ml
- Price per ml: $0.20/ml (original $0.46/ml)
The why
A watery centella ampoule that people use before moisturizer or tret. It suits irritated, dehydrated, or barrier-damaged skin. On very reactive faces, it can sting, break out, or do basically nothing.
One minus
Can trigger closed comedones or whiteheads
Good forSensitive Skin, Dry Skin
“I have combo acne prone skin”
— Reddit, r/AsianBeauty
#3
Same Active: Retinol
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
The Ordinary·Serum
See alternativesStarter retinoid with low-irritation rep
- Key actives: Granactive Retinoid 2%
The why
A low-strength retinoid emulsion for people easing into vitamin A or buffering a breakout-prone, reactive routine. Reddit treats it as a starter step for acne and early anti-aging. Dry, sensitive skin usually needs slow nights and moisturizer buffering.
One minus
Still triggers redness on reactive skin
Good forSensitive Skin
Both recommended for Anti-Aging.
“The results is that it smooth out the vertical wrinkles of my lips, fade just a bit my dark circles, my mouth fine line and now, the lion fine line is almost gone.”
— Reddit, r/tretinoin
#4
Best for Anti-Aging
- Key actives: Argireline Solution 10%
- Size: 30 ml
- Price per ml: $0.32/ml (original $0.46/ml)
The why
A watery peptide serum that people use on forehead, 11s, and crow’s feet. It suits folks chasing temporary softening or a stopgap before Botox. Don’t expect permanent wrinkle reversal, and some users break out.
One minus
Results are mostly temporary, not lasting
Both recommended for Anti-Aging.
“I use the ordinary matrixyl and argireline under my frownies and find that the combo works really well for my fine lines.”
— Reddit, r/SkincareAddiction
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