Head to head
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) does the same job for less.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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
Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want the more affordable option
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
What each delivers
Side by side
| Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 10 listed | 17 listed |
| Price | ~€19 | ~€8 |
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 (Original Formulation)
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 (Original Formulation)
- Sensitive, reactive skinHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 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 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) does the same job for less. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation)?
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€19).
Can I use The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 (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 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 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster