SkinMedica vs The Ordinary — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
TNS Advanced+ Serum
9/10 · SkinMedica
| TNS Advanced+ Serum | Retinol 0.5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | SkinMedica | The Ordinary |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 9/10 ★ | 8.3/10 |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Thick peach-pink serum | Lightweight oil |
| Finish | Silky smoothing | Satiny |
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| Verdict | The US cosmetic-derm world's post-procedure gold standard. TNS — Tissue Nutrient Solution, a growth-factor complex derived from human fibroblast conditioned media — paired with signal peptides and barrier support. Clinical data on photoaging is published and serious. $295 is genuinely expensive, but the 4–6 week post-Fraxel case is exactly what this product was built for. | Retinol in squalane — cushioned and less reactive than water-based retinols. The entry-level that earns a forever slot. |
