CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus Equate Repairing Lotion
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Equate Repairing Lotion 35 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
Equate Repairing Lotion 35 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
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeteareth-20
Cleansing
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Cyclotetrasiloxane
Emollient
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantParfum
Masking
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
PEG-100 Stearate
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylparaben
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylparaben
Preservative
Geranium Maculatum Extract
TonicGlycereth-26
HumectantHydrated Silica
Abrasive
Kaolin
Abrasive
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
CleansingTitanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
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, Xanthan Gum, 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 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 WaterDimethicone 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 DimethiconeCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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 AlcoholXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Equate Repairing Lotion 35 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)
