Head to head
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum does the same job for less.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if
- you want the more affordable option
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Pick Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion if
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
What each delivers
Side by side
| Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum | Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid | Glycerin, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 2% |
| 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 | 25 listed | 33 listed |
| Price | ~€10 | ~€13 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
Both share
Only in Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Fine lines & firmnessGranactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
- Sensitive, reactive skinCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€13).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion better for fine lines & firmness?
For fine lines & firmness, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum does the same job for less. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€13).
Can I use The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 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
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster