Head to head
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 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 5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum 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
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
What each delivers
Side by side
| Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum | Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic 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 | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | One caution |
| Ingredients | 25 listed | 10 listed |
| Price | ~€10 | ~€19 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Fine lines & firmnessGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Dryness & dehydrationCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Sensitive, reactive skinCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€19).
Ready to pick one?
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 The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane better for fine lines & firmness?
For fine lines & firmness, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 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 5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€19).
Can I use The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye 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
- 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 2% Emulsion
- 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 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 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 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