Gracie

Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum vs LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin

Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 9.1/9.8 vs LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin at 8.6/9.8. Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum wins for hydration.

Head to head

Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
Farmacy

1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum

serumpremium
9.1
VS
LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin
LANEIGE

Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin

moisturisermid-range
8.6

Score comparison

Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.

2
3
Farmacy wins 2
Tied 3
LANEIGE wins 0
9.1Farmacy
+0.5vs
8.6LANEIGE

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Farmacy WINS
8.6
6.8
Farmacy
LANEIGE

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Farmacy
LANEIGE

Active Ingredient Strength

Farmacy WINS
5.9
5.0
Farmacy
LANEIGE

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Farmacy
LANEIGE

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
Farmacy
LANEIGE

Ingredient face-off

10% overlap
40Farmacy
4Shared
27LANEIGE

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 LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin'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. Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 5.9 here versus 5.0 for LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin. 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 lANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin relies on Niacinamide, Inositol, and Madecassoside. 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

LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • 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. LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin sits at the mid-range level with a 8.6 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict
+0.5 lead

Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin is still a solid pick.

9.1Farmacy
vs
8.6LANEIGE

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum or LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin?

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 LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin 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 LANEIGE Balance Mode Shine Control & Pore-Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer for Oily Skin?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.