Gracie

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM scores 8.5/9.8 and The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity scores 8.7/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM
RETINOL

RETINOL SKIN CREAM

moisturiser
8.5
VS
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity
The Ordinary

Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity

serummid-range
8.7

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.

1
2
2
RETINOL wins 1
Tied 2
The Ordinary wins 2
8.5RETINOL
vs
8.7The Ordinary

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

RETINOL WINS
9.8
8.6
RETINOL
The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
RETINOL
The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

The Ordinary WINS
6.5
8.4
RETINOL
The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
RETINOL
The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

The Ordinary WINS
7.5
9.0
RETINOL
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.

Formulation Safety is another area of separation. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity scores 9.0 here versus 7.5 for RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity brings Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 as actives, while rETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM relies on Arginine, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Germ Extract, and Royal Jelly Extract. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Ingredients (Inci): Water
  • Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
  • Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 does the heavy lifting

Value comparison

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity comes in at mid-range pricing with a 8.7 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.

8.5RETINOL
vs
8.7The Ordinary

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM or The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity?

Based on ingredient analysis, The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM and The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity share ingredients?

Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.

What's the main difference between RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM and The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Firmness and Elasticity?

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