Gracie

medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness

medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum scores 8.6/9.8 and The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness scores 8.5/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum
medicube

Deep Vita A Retinol Serum

serum
8.6
VS
The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness
The Ordinary

Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness

moisturiserbudget
8.5

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.1 points apart.

2
3
medicube wins 2
Tied 3
The Ordinary wins 0
8.6medicube
vs
8.5The Ordinary

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

TIE
9.8
9.8
medicube
The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
medicube
The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

medicube WINS
6.7
2.0
medicube
The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

medicube WINS
8.8
8.5
medicube
The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
medicube
The Ordinary

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.

Ingredient Transparency is another area of separation. medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum scores 8.8 here versus 8.5 for The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum brings Niacinamide, Allantoin, and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate 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

medicube Deep Vita 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 Dipropylene Glycol
  • 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

The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness comes in at budget pricing with a 8.5 score, which is solid value at that tier.

Our verdict

✶ 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.

8.6medicube
vs
8.5The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion Moisturizer for Soothing Hydration & Reduced Redness?

Based on ingredient analysis, medicube Deep Vita A Retinol Serum scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do medicube Deep Vita 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 medicube Deep Vita 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.