Head to head
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion does more across the board (it leads on brightening / tone, anti-aging), while Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion if you want the actives; Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
The OrdinaryGranactive Retinoid 2% EmulsionSee every ingredient in Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, decoded
VichyMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterSee every ingredient in Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster, decodedWhich should you pick?
Pick Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion if
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you want the more affordable option
Pick Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
What each delivers
Side by side
| Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion | Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 2% | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid |
| 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 | Not likely | Likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 33 listed | 14 listed |
| Price | ~€13 | ~€22 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Both share
Only in Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneGranactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Fine lines & firmnessGranactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
- Sensitive, reactive skinMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the cheaper of the two (~€13 vs ~€22).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion does more across the board (it leads on brightening / tone, anti-aging), while Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion if you want the actives; Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster?
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the cheaper of the two (~€13 vs ~€22).
Can I use The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 38 comparisons
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- Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
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- Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
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