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SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule.

The bottom line

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane does the same job for less.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

Reviewed by Maya FaourLast reviewed September 2026
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella AmpouleSKIN1004Madagascar Centella AmpouleSerum · ~€18See every ingredient in Madagascar Centella Ampoule, decoded
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneThe OrdinaryRetinol 0.5% in SqualaneSerum · ~€8See every ingredient in Retinol 0.5% in Squalane, decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick Madagascar Centella Ampoule if

  • plump, lasting hydration is what you want
  • you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Pick Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if

  • fine lines and firmness are the goal
  • you want the more affordable option
  • you want more actives working at once

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Madagascar Centella AmpouleRetinol 0.5% in Squalane
  • Hydration
    104
  • Barrier repair
    77
  • Brightening / tone
    24
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    33
  • Anti-aging
    59

Side by side

Madagascar Centella AmpouleRetinol 0.5% in Squalane
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Centella Asiatica ExtractRetinol 0.5%, Squalane, Jojoba Oil
TextureA 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.
FragranceNone detectedNone detected
Fungal-acne safeLikelyNot likely
PregnancyNo flagged activesOne caution
Ingredients7 listed8 listed
Price~€18~€8

What's in one but not the other

The two labels share 0 of the 15 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 living epidermis, The stratum corneum for The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% 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 Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

The molecule doing the work

Madagascar Centella AmpouleGlycerin
Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneRetinol

Better for…

  • Fine lines & firmnessRetinol 0.5% in Squalane
  • Dryness & dehydrationMadagascar Centella Ampoule
  • Sensitive, reactive skinMadagascar Centella Ampoule

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€18).

Ready to pick one?

Madagascar Centella Ampoule on amazon.comRetinol 0.5% in Squalane on amazon.com

Affiliate links, so a purchase sends us a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Glow Simplified earns from qualifying purchases. We make and sell nothing here, so the verdict above never bends toward a sale.

Common questions

Is SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane better for fine lines & firmness?

For fine lines & firmness, The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane does the same job for less. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

Which is cheaper, SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€18).

Can I use SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% 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…

VSBeauty of JoseonGlow Serum: Propolis + NiacinamideShares Centella Asiatica ExtractVSThe OrdinaryGranactive Retinoid 5% in SqualaneShares Jojoba Oil and SqualaneVSCelimaxThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterShares Glycerin
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