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Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule vs The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane: which is better?
One soothes and supports the skin barrier, while the other pushes retinol results harder but with more irritation.
Reddit’s pick
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
- Rated higher: Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule — 87 vs 70 nextscore
- More reviewed: Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule — 288 vs 35 verdicts
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule gets the nod for its clearly more positive reception, with praise for calming redness, layering cleanly, and helping barrier repair.
Choose Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule if
- you want something for redness and irritation
- your skin is sensitive or barrier-compromised
Choose The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane if
- you want retinol for acne or fine lines
- you can handle redness and flaking
533mentions
Skin1004
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
See alternatives87nextscore· 288 verdicts
$0.20/ml · 30 ml
83mentions
At a glance
| Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule | The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane |
|---|---|
| $0.20/ml | $0.40/ml |
| 87 · 288 verdicts | 70 · 35 verdicts |
| Centella/Cica | Squalane, Retinol |
What Reddit says
Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
What Reddit likes
- Watery, fast-absorbing centella
- Calms redness and irritation
- Layers cleanly under actives and makeup
Watch out for
- Can trigger closed comedones or whiteheads
- Stings on wrecked barriers
- Often reads as watery and underwhelming
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
What Reddit likes
- 1% retinol — strongest OTC jump
- Squalane base helps buffer dryness
- Can help acne and fine lines
Watch out for
- Brutal starter strength — redness and flaking are common
- Oily, runny texture can feel greasy and slow to absorb
- Too much for sensitive or compromised skin
Compare full ingredient lists · 0 in common
In both · 0
None
Only in Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule · 7
- Water
- Glycerin
- Butylene Glycol
- Centella Asiatica Extract
- 1,2-Hexanediol
- Cellulose Gum
- Ethylhexylglycerin
Only in The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane · 8
- Squalane
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
- Retinol
- Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract
- Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
- Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone
- BHT