Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 9.1/9.8 vs The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness at 8.5/9.8. Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum wins for active ingredients.
Head to head
1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness
Score comparison
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum edges ahead, winning 1 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
The Ordinary WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Farmacy WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
20% overlapOnly in Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
31 unique
Shared ingredients
9 in common
Only in The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness
36 unique
Why Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum comes out ahead
Where Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 5.9 compared to The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness's 2.0. Its formula features Ceramide Np, Tocopherol, and Retinol in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness scores 9.8 here versus 8.6 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 the Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness relies on Ectoin, Allantoin, and Lysine Hcl. 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
The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Hydrogenated Lecithin
- 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. The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness sits at the budget level with a 8.5 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 The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness is still a solid pick.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness?
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 The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness 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 The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.