Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum vs numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 9.1/9.8 and numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad scores 8.9/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Farmacy WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
numbuzin WINSIngredient Transparency
numbuzin WINSFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
15% overlapOnly in Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
34 unique
Only in numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad
19 unique
Why these two are neck and neck
These two serums take different paths to a similar destination. Both formulas include solid hydrating ingredients, and the overall scores reflect that — the gap here is genuinely slim.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 8.6 here versus 7.1 for numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad. 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 numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad relies on Niacinamide, Ascorbyl Glucoside, and Ascorbic 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
numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad 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
- Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Niacinamide does the heavy lifting
Value comparison
At premium pricing with a score of 9.1, Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum delivers strong value. numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad sits at the mid-range level with a 8.9 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
Our verdict
It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum or numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad?
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 numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad 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 numbuzin No.5 Vitamin-Niacinamide Concentrated Pad?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.