Head to head

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane.

The bottom line

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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.

Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in SqualaneThe OrdinaryGranactive Retinoid 5% in SqualaneSerum · ~€19See every ingredient in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane, decoded
Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterVichyMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterSerum · ~€22See every ingredient in Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster, decoded

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 want the more affordable option

Pick Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if

  • plump, lasting hydration is what you want
  • you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Granactive Retinoid 5% in SqualaneMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
  • Hydration
    410
  • Barrier repair
    77
  • Brightening / tone
    53
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    31
  • Anti-aging
    82

Side by side

Granactive Retinoid 5% in SqualaneMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesSqualane, Jojoba Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 5%Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid
TextureA 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.
FragranceNone detectedNone detected
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyLikely
PregnancyOne cautionNo flagged actives
Ingredients10 listed14 listed
Price~€19~€22

What's in one but not the other

Both share

No active in common.

Only in Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

The molecule doing the work

Granactive Retinoid 5% in SqualaneSqualane
Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterGlycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
  • Fine lines & firmnessGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
  • Dryness & dehydrationMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
  • Sensitive, reactive skinMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€19 vs ~€22).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane or Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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. Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster?

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€19 vs ~€22).

Can I use The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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.

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