Head to head
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% does more across the board (it leads on hydration, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% if you want the actives; The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
Pick Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% if
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Squalane, Jojoba Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 5% | Vitamin C (LAA), Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate |
| 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 | 15 listed |
| Price | ~€19 | ~€6 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Both share
Only in Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneVitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Fine lines & firmnessEither works
- Dryness & dehydrationVitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Sensitive, reactive skinVitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€19).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane or The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% does more across the board (it leads on hydration, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% if you want the actives; The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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 Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%?
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€19).
Can I use The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane and The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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
- 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 The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- 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 The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster