CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus Equate Repairing Lotion

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum versus Equate Repairing Lotion .

Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on July 20, 2023

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

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CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Equate Repairing Lotion

Serum Canadian Brand Canada

General Moisturizer American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Starts at $15.45

Shop

Buy Repairing Lotion

Starts at $13.88

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Equate Repairing Lotion 34 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Equate Repairing Lotion 34 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Niacinamide

Ceramides (3)

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)

Good For Oily Skin (2)

Redness Reducing (6)

Reduces Irritation (4)

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Anti-Aging (4)

Dark Spots (3)

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting (2)

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (2)

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)

Acne Trigger (2)

Irritating (2)

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)

Vitamin E (2)

Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin (3)

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation (2)

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting (2)

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)

Acne Trigger (2)

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema (4)

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Equate Repairing Lotion 34 ingredients

Water • 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

Allantoin • Carbomer • Ceteareth-20 • Cetearyl Alcohol • Cyclopentasiloxane • Cyclotetrasiloxane • Diazolidinyl Urea • Dimethicone • Ethoxydiglycol • Parfum • Glyceryl Stearate • Methylparaben • Panthenol • Peg-100 Stearate • Propylene Glycol • Propylparaben • Water • Triethanolamine • Butylene Glycol • Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract • Ethylparaben • Geranium Maculatum Extract • Glycereth-26 • Hydrated Silica • Kaolin • Linoleic Acid • Linolenic Acid • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate • Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil • Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate • Titanium Dioxide • Tocopherol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Zinc Oxide

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Equate Repairing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 17.

Dimethicone

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

Equate Repairing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 8.

Carbomer

What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

Equate Repairing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 2.

Cetearyl Alcohol

What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.

Equate Repairing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 4.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Equate Repairing Lotion 34 ingredients

52% are loved or liked

9% have mixed ratings

39% are disliked or very disliked

0% have no rating yet

21% are loved or liked

21% have mixed ratings

50% are disliked or very disliked

9% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Equate Repairing Lotion 34 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

4.3 /5

from 18 ratings

Great Value (3) Light (3) Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (2) Works Well (2) No Scent (1)

SkincareSimba

1 month ago · Sensitive Skin

Review

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...

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)