Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum vs medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 9.1/9.8 vs medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 at 8.4/9.8. Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum wins for hydration.
Head to head
1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Score comparison
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Farmacy WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
medicube WINSIngredient Transparency
medicube WINSFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
25% overlapOnly in Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
30 unique
Shared ingredients
10 in common
Only in medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
21 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 medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0's 7.4. 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. medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 scores 6.3 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 medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 relies on Niacinamide, Allantoin, and Gluconolactone. 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
medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Butylene Glycol
- 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. medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 sits at the mid-range level with a 8.4 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 medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 is still a solid pick.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum or medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0?
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 medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 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 medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.