CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum

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 Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum .

Last updated on February 20, 2024. Published on May 29, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens

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

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum

Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Serum 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.

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Starts at $15.45

Shop

Buy Niacinamide Serum

Starts at $12.00

Ingredient Info

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

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum 9 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

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum 9 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

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation

Reduces Large Pores

Dark Spots

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

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Ingredients Compared

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

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum 9 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

Water • Niacinamide • Dipropylene Glycol • Glycerin • 1,2-Hexanediol • Betaine • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin

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.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Niacinamide

What it does: Smoothing

Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Xanthan Gum

What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Disliked

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

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.

Ethylhexylglycerin

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

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

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum 9 ingredients

52% are loved or liked

9% have mixed ratings

39% are disliked or very disliked

0% have no rating yet

44% are loved or liked

22% have mixed ratings

33% are disliked or very disliked

0% 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

Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum 9 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)