Head to head
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) does the same job for less.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) 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 Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want the more affordable option
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
What each delivers
Side by side
| Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Squalane, Jojoba Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 5% | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid 2%, Crosslinked sodium HA |
| 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 | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 10 listed | 23 listed |
| Price | ~€19 | ~€10 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Fine lines & firmnessGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Dryness & dehydrationHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Sensitive, reactive skinHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€19).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) 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. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) does the same job for less. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) 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 Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)?
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€19).
Can I use The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) 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
- 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 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 Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster