CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub

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 Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub .

Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on April 17, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any oils or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols

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

Try a different comparison

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub

Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Exfoliator British Brand United Kingdom

Serum

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

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

Ingredient Info

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

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub 27 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

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub 27 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

BHA

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Reduces Large Pores

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (3)

May Worsen Oily Skin (5)

Acne Trigger

Irritating (3)

Rosacea (4)

Eczema (5)

Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

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

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub 27 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 • Cetearyl Alcohol • Glycerin • Glyceryl Stearate Se • Perlite • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Stearic Acid • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Propylene Glycol • Polyacrylamide • Phenoxyethanol • Benzyl Alcohol • Salicylic Acid • C13-14 Isoparaffin • Parfum • Propanediol • Sodium Hydroxide • Disodium EDTA • Laureth-7 • Ethylhexylglycerin • Dehydroacetic Acid • Alcohol • Polygonum Bistorta Root Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract • Nymphaea Coerulea Flower Extract • CI 17200

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Loading ingredients...

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.

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub contains this as ingredient number 1.

Propanediol

What it does: Solvent

Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub contains this as ingredient number 16.

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.

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub contains this as ingredient number 2.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub contains this as ingredient number 11.

Alcohol

What it does: Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent

Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Alcohol

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub contains this as ingredient number 22.

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.

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub contains this as ingredient number 20.

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

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub 27 ingredients

52% are loved or liked

9% have mixed ratings

39% are disliked or very disliked

0% have no rating yet

30% are loved or liked

11% have mixed ratings

48% are disliked or very disliked

11% 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

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub 27 ingredients

Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

4.1 /5

from 19 ratings

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

SkincareSimba

2 months 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)