CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum Versus Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, 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
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum 26 ingredients
Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream 52 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum 26 ingredients
Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream 52 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAscorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Myristyl Myristate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclohexasiloxane
Emollient
Sorbitol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Tristearate
EmulsifyingSaccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters
Emulsifying
Zea Mays Kernel Extract
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Echinacea Purpurea Extract
MoisturisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract
TonicAscorbic Acid/Orange/Citrus Limon/Citrus Aurantifolia Polypeptides
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Isocetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Folic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Pyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningProline
Skin ConditioningGlycine
Buffering
Palmitoyl Carnitine
Skin ConditioningPCA
Humectant
Alanine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingLecithin
Emollient
Polyquaternium-24
PEG-8
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingDiazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tetrasodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Masking
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Stearate, Squalane, Myristyl Myristate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sorbitol, Stearic Acid, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Tristearate, Saccharide Isomerate, Superoxide Dismutase, Ceramide NP, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fagus Sylvatica Bud Extract, Ascorbic Acid/Orange/Citrus Limon/Citrus Aurantifolia Polypeptides, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Isocetyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hcl, Proline, Glycine, Palmitoyl Carnitine, PCA, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lecithin, Polyquaternium-24, PEG-8, Butylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Disodium EDTA, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here:
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
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 DimethiconeDisodium 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 EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum 26 ingredients
Merle Norman Nighttime Recovery Cream 52 ingredients
Reviews
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