Versus

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% Versus The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum

Prescription
Serum
Italian Brand Italy
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on March 30, 2025

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

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What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

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Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

When to use

577 Routines
3% use in am
97% use in pm
58% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
9,125 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Menarini A-Ret Tretinoin Gel 0.025% 11 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Light (1) Works Well (1)
nadinekerosene's avatar

Nadine

18 days ago
Review

Between tretinoin and adapalene, adapalene is generally gentler since it's a synthetic retinoid designed to mimic the effects of retinoic acid while being more stable and less irritating. But because I don't like waiting too long for results, I chose to use tretinoin instead; starting with a low percentage of course, since I didn’t want to go through a prolonged purging phase. It's been four weeks Show more

louib's avatar

Loui b

14 days ago
Review

BESTTT Tretinoin to buy. You can tell it works even after a week because your skin will be glowing flawlessly. Ive not even noticed a purge from using this one despite having acne prone skin (it will dry your skin slightly though so start slow).

#light
#works well

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum 23 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 65 ratings
Hydrating (15) Sticky (14) No Scent (12)
Elapidae's avatar

Ela

4 months ago
Review

I didn’t do anything for me. I didn’t feel particularly hydrated, B5 also didn’t help with anything 🤷🏻‍♀️ I rather use other products where I see results over night.

I tried to dilute it with Niacinamide serum 10%, it started to pill. I was curious if it’s just my failed attempt or it’s generally a problem and yes… if I apply those serums even one after the other, it starts to pill 🙈 that’s a Show more

#pilling
#no scent
fyr's avatar

k

1 year ago
Review

a really moisturising hydrating serum!! dries tacky but i can get past that

#great value
#hydrating
#sticky
#works well