Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum vs Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 9.1/9.8 vs Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum at 8.7/9.8. Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum wins for hydration.
Head to head
1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum
Score comparison
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum edges ahead, winning 1 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Farmacy WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Glow Recipe WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
20% overlapOnly in Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
32 unique
Shared ingredients
8 in common
Only in Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum
25 unique
Why Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum comes out ahead
Where Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.6 compared to Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum's 6.8. With Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, and Panthenol in its top ingredients, Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum scores 7.6 here versus 5.9 for Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum brings Ceramide Np, Tocopherol, and Retinol as actives, while glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum relies on Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, and Mandelic Acid. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract does the heavy lifting
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
At premium pricing with a score of 9.1, Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum delivers strong value. Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum sits at the mid-range level with a 8.7 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
Our verdict
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum is still a solid pick.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum or Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum?
Based on ingredient analysis, Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum and Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum share ingredients?
Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.
What's the main difference between Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum and Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Acid Serum?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.