Head to head

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% 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 Retinol 0.5% in Squalane.

The bottom line

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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.

Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneThe OrdinaryRetinol 0.5% in SqualaneSerum · ~€8See every ingredient in Retinol 0.5% 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 Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if

  • fine lines and firmness are the goal
  • you want the more affordable option
  • you want more actives working at once

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
Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
  • Hydration
    410
  • Barrier repair
    77
  • Brightening / tone
    43
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    31
  • Anti-aging
    92

Side by side

Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesRetinol 0.5%, Squalane, Jojoba OilGlycerin, 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
Ingredients8 listed14 listed
Price~€8~€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

Retinol 0.5% in SqualaneRetinol
Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterGlycerin

Better for…

  • Fine lines & firmnessRetinol 0.5% in Squalane
  • Dryness & dehydrationMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
  • Sensitive, reactive skinMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€22).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane or Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 Retinol 0.5% in Squalane and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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. Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 Retinol 0.5% in Squalane or Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster?

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€22).

Can I use The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% 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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