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No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane: which is better?

One serum leans toward dark-spot care with a gentler feel; the other leans toward stronger retinol benefits but can be harsher.

Reddit’s pick

No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum

  • Rated higher: No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum — 84 vs 70 nextscore

numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum gets the nod for dark spots and brightness, with tranexamic acid and niacinamide in a gentler formula.

Choose No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum if

  • stubborn dark spots are your main concern
  • you want a gentler vitamin C-style serum

Choose The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane if

  • acne and aging are your main concerns
  • you can handle a stronger retinol

At a glance

No.5 Vitamin Concentrated SerumThe Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
$0.57/ml$0.40/ml
84 · 63 verdicts70 · 35 verdicts
Niacinamide, Vitamin C, Tranexamic AcidSqualane, Retinol

What Reddit says

No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum

What Reddit likes

  • Tranexamic acid + niacinamide for dark spots
  • Gentler than a lot of vitamin C serums
  • Vitamin C derivatives, arbutin, glutathione

Watch out for

  • Results are slow unless you stick with it for months
  • Can break out acne-prone or niacinamide-sensitive skin
  • Heavy enough to feel greasy in summer
See the Reddit threads on No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

What Reddit likes

  • Strong OTC retinol for acne and aging
  • Squalane base softens the hit
  • Can help oiliness, breakouts, and texture

Watch out for

  • Rough starter strength — redness, peeling, and purging are common
  • Greasy, runny texture that can sit on skin
  • Too much for sensitive or compromised barrier skin
See the Reddit threads on The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
Compare full ingredient lists · 1 in common

In both · 1

  1. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Only in No.5 Vitamin Concentrated Serum · 46

  1. Water
  2. Butylene Glycol
  3. Niacinamide
  4. Panthenol
  5. Tranexamic Acid
  6. 1,2-Hexanediol
  7. Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprate
  8. Sorbitol
  9. Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
  10. Behenyl Alcohol
  11. Pentylene Glycol
  12. Glycerin
  13. Chondrus Crispus Extract
  14. Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
  15. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
  16. Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
  17. Carbomer
  18. Alpha-Arbutin
  19. Bisabolol
  20. Tromethamine
  21. Ethylhexylglycerin
  22. Bifida Ferment Lysate
  23. Adenosine
  24. Hydrogenated Lecithin
  25. Allantoin
  26. Sodium Hyaluronate
  27. Xanthan Gum
  28. Glutathione
  29. Disodium EDTA
  30. Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
  31. Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
  32. Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
  33. Ceramide NP
  34. Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
  35. Corallina Officinalis Extract
  36. Beta-Glucan
  37. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
  38. Tocopherol
  39. Ascorbic Acid
  40. Ascorbyl Glucoside
  41. Tocopheryl Acetate
  42. Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
  43. Ubiquinone
  44. Thioctic Acid
  45. Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract
  46. Potassium Hydroxide

Only in The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane · 7

  1. Squalane
  2. Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
  3. Retinol
  4. Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract
  5. Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
  6. Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
  7. BHT

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