Head to head
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule.
The bottom lineSKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule does the same job for less.
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
The OrdinaryGranactive Retinoid 5% in SqualaneSee every ingredient in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane, decodedWhich should you pick?
Pick Madagascar Centella Ampoule if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want the more affordable option
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
Pick Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you want more actives working at once
What each delivers
Side by side
| Madagascar Centella Ampoule | Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract | 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 | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | One caution |
| Ingredients | 7 listed | 10 listed |
| Price | ~€18 | ~€19 |
What's in one but not the other
The two labels share 0 of the 17 ingredients between them. The actives are where they part company.
What each one adds acts on The stratum corneum, Not established for SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule and The stratum corneum, The living epidermis, Not established for The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane. That is the layer each is understood to act on, not how deep it travels.
Only in Madagascar Centella Ampoule
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 & firmnessGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Dryness & dehydrationMadagascar Centella Ampoule
- Sensitive, reactive skinMadagascar Centella Ampoule
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule is the cheaper of the two (~€18 vs ~€19).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule 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. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule does the same job for less. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule 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, SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane?
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule is the cheaper of the two (~€18 vs ~€19).
Can I use SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule 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 46 comparisons
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- 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 The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- 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 La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- 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 The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%