Head to head
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum.
The bottom lineLa Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane are close on what they deliver, so it comes down to your skin: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the kinder pick for sensitive or reactive skin since it is fragrance-free.
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum | Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Pro-vitamin B5, Hyaluronic acid | Squalane, Jojoba Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 5% |
| Texture | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. |
| Fragrance | Contains fragrance | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | One caution |
| Ingredients | 32 listed | 10 listed |
| Price | ~$40 | ~€19 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Fine lines & firmnessEither works
- Dryness & dehydrationHyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Sensitive, reactive skinGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€19 vs ~$40).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane are close on what they deliver, so it comes down to your skin: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the kinder pick for sensitive or reactive skin since it is fragrance-free. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€19 vs ~$40).
Can I use La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane together?
They are both serums, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.
Compare it with…
All 24 comparisons
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster