Head to head
Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum.
The bottom lineMedicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum does more across the board (it leads on hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick PDRN Pink Peptide Serum if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Pick Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| PDRN Pink Peptide Serum | Retinol 0.5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Niacinamide, Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid | Retinol 0.5%, Squalane, Jojoba Oil |
| 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 | Contains fragrance | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | One caution |
| Ingredients | 40 listed | 8 listed |
| Price | ~€30 | ~€8 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven tonePDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Fine lines & firmnessRetinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Breakouts & congestionPDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationPDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Sensitive, reactive skinRetinol 0.5% in Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€30).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum does more across the board (it leads on hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€30).
Can I use Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% 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 32 comparisons
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster