Head to head
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 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 Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane does the same job for less.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 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 Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Pick Granactive Retinoid 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
Side by side
| Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% | Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Azelaic Acid, Isohexadecane, Vitamin E | 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 | Not likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | One caution |
| Ingredients | 17 listed | 10 listed |
| Price | ~€23 | ~€19 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Fine lines & firmnessGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Breakouts & congestionAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Sensitive, reactive skinAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€19 vs ~€23).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane does the same job for less. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 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 Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€19 vs ~€23).
Can I use The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 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
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 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 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