CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores
Free From
They both do not contain any oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols and 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 Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment 29 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPotassium Phosphate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Lecithin
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitric Acid
Buffering
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethiconol, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Retinol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
Salicylic Acid 2%
Masking
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Polyacrylamide
Glycerin
Humectant
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
C12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientAlcohol
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl Lactate
EmollientPPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate
EmulsifyingCocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Phenethyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Parfum
Masking
Dehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Benzalkonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Ammonia
Buffering
Tetrasodium EDTA
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract
Perfuming
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid 2%, Alcohol Denat., Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Polyacrylamide, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Lactate, PPG-2 Isoceteth-20 Acetate, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Laureth-7, Polysorbate 20, Phenethyl Dimethicone, Parfum, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol, Benzalkonium Chloride, Ammonia, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterPhenoxyethanol 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.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is usually an astringent alcohol.
These alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Fatty alcohols come from plant oils such as coconut oil. These can help hydrate the skin and are non-irritating. Some fatty alcohols include cetyl and stearyl alcohol.
Learn more about AlcoholPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
No more acne, very slow at reducing pigmentation tho
The only retinol my partner's skin can tolerate.
Their skin is extremely reactive and sensitive but this retinol has worked great.
I also use it every other day because I alternate between this retinol and A313.
It works great and is gentle enough to allow me to build tolerance without purging effects (at least on my skin and my partner's)
