Head to head
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum.
The bottom lineThe Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane does the same job for less.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Answer nine questions and the app picks between them for your skin.
Cost per use
€0.14 an applicationabout 150 uses from 30 ml
a usual amount, not a measured dose: 3-5 drops, about 0.2 ml; from €21 as read in September 2026 and a 30 ml pack.
how this is counted
About €0.14 an application, about 150 uses from 30 ml.
- a convention: no trial has measured a serum dose
- Measured or assumed: the rule, and the dose table
€0.05 an applicationabout 150 uses from 30 ml
a usual amount, not a measured dose: 3-5 drops, about 0.2 ml; from €8 as read in September 2026 and a 30 ml pack.
how this is counted
About €0.05 an application, about 150 uses from 30 ml.
- a convention: no trial has measured a serum dose
- Measured or assumed: the rule, and the dose table
Per application, The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper: €0.05 against €0.14.
Which should you pick?
Pick Multi-Peptide + HA Serum if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you want the more affordable option
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
What each delivers
Side by side
| Multi-Peptide + HA Serum | Retinol 0.5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Crosslinked sodium HA, 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 | None detected | None detected |
| Feeds Malassezia | 2 measured / none inferred | 1 measured / none inferred |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | One caution |
| Ingredients | 51 listed | 8 listed |
| Price | ~€21 | ~€8 |
What's in one but not the other
The two labels share 0 of the 59 ingredients between them. The actives are where they part company.
What each one adds acts on The stratum corneum, Not established for The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum and The living epidermis, The stratum corneum for The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane. That is the layer each is understood to act on, not how deep it travels.
Only in The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
Both
nothing
Only in The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is a different bottle only for: retinol, squalane, jojoba oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride. They share nothing.
Which keeps longer
a dropper bottle and nothing on this label that light breaks; the period after opening not read yet.
a dropper bottle and one light-sensitive active: the packaging is doing work here.
where this comes from
The pack form is read off the packshot; the light-sensitive actives are the base's photostability rows, sourced on each glossary page; the period after opening (3M on the pack) is read off the maker's page, never a reseller's. Catalogue checked September 2026.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is the one to keep if you use it slowly: a dropper bottle, nothing on this label that light breaks.
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Fine lines & firmnessRetinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Dryness & dehydrationMulti-Peptide + HA Serum
- Sensitive, reactive skinMulti-Peptide + HA Serum
Who each suits
- The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- dry, sensitive, normal · avoid with very sensitive skin (at high strength)
- The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- combination, oily, sensitive, normal · avoid with acne-prone skin (at high strength), breastfeeding, compromised barrier and fungal acne (with heavy use)
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€21).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane better for fine lines & firmness?
For fine lines & firmness, The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane does the same job for less. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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, The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€21).
Can I use The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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.
What the scene shows
The cross-section at the top of this page is not decoration and not a diagram of the skin in general: it places the molecules these two are sold on at the layer each is understood to act on. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is placed by Glycerin (the stratum corneum), Crosslinked sodium HA (the stratum corneum), Hyaluronic acid (the stratum corneum). The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is placed by Retinol (the living epidermis), Squalane (the stratum corneum), Jojoba Oil (the stratum corneum). A layer is where an ingredient does its work, never how deep it travels, and never a claim about how well it works.
Compare it with…
46 duels are built for this serum, The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion among them: type a name, or pick one below.