Versus

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum Versus Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any oils or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

PEG-10 Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Polysilicone-11

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Secale Cereale Seed Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Pisum Sativum Extract

Skin Conditioning

Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate

Humectant

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Prunus Persica Fruit Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Polysorbate 40

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Menthyl Lactate

Masking

Rose Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Emollient

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Fucus Vesiculosus Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Mentha Piperita Extract

Cleansing

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Santalum Album Wood Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cananga Odorata Flower Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract

Astringent

Coriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract

Antiseborrhoeic

Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract

Astringent

Sodium Chloride

Masking
Can worsen Dry Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cyclohexasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Disodium EDTA

Triethanolamine

Buffering
2 / 0

Dihydroxy Methylchromone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate

Skin Conditioning

Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin

Masking

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Tin Oxide

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Mica

Cosmetic Colorant
May worsen Eczema Icon

Titanium Dioxide

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Cyclodextrin

Absorbent

Maltodextrin

Absorbent

Magnesium Chloride

Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Glycerin, Silica, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Pentylene Glycol, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Secale Cereale Seed Extract, Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract, Schisandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Meristem Cell Culture, Pisum Sativum Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Alteromonas Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Tripeptide-1, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polysorbate 40, Menthyl Lactate, Rose Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Extract, Prunus Armeniaca Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Santalum Album Wood Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Coriandrum Sativum Fruit/Leaf Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Cucumis Melo Cantalupensis Fruit Extract, Sodium Chloride, Cyclohexasiloxane, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, Dihydroxy Methylchromone, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Magnesium Chloride

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.

What it does:

Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:

Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.

Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.

This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.

Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.

Learn more about Dimethicone
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

When to use

380 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
10 Routines
60% use in am
40% use in pm
90% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum 24 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Doesn't Work (1) No Scent (1)
thefakedwc's avatar

thefakedwc

2 years ago
Review

It kind of works???
I’ve been using this for a while now and it feels like it makes my skin hydrated and smoother but only for a bit

ClaireEstelle's avatar

Claire L.

12 months ago
Review

Not one of CeraVe's better products. I bought this (along with their eye cream) on vacation when I left all my skincare behind at an AirBnB (tragedy!) and didn't want to replace it all at inflated tourist-area prices. I used it for the two weeks I was on vacation and it did nothing - my face didn't feel particularly hydrated. There are better serums out there.

#no scent
#doesn't work

Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Volu-Firm® Advanced Lifting Serum 64 ingredients

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