Versus

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalane

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
Canadian Brand Canada

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

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

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.

Why is retinol famous?

It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.

Retinol is proven to:

This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).

Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.

We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.

Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.

Read about Tretinoin

Learn more about Retinol

When to use

2,223 Routines
7% use in am
93% use in pm
66% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
258 Routines
7% use in am
93% use in pm
61% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 42 ratings
Light (12) Absorbs Well (9) Great Value (8)
CentellaAddict's avatar

CentellaAddict

1 year ago
Review

No more acne, very slow at reducing pigmentation tho

#absorbs well
#works well
SkincareSimba's avatar

SkincareSimba

1 year ago
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 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)

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

The Ordinary Retinol 1% In Squalane 8 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Great Value (2) Hydrating (2) Oily (2)
Twili's avatar

Liv

3 months ago
Review

I find retinols dry out parts of my combo skin so I’m really glad this doesn’t do that. While yes it does have an oily texture this does absorb over time and helps with the moisture absorbency in my opinion. This works really well

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#oily
featherstone's avatar

flora

8 months ago
Review

Brightened my skin and maintained hormonal acne, would visibly treat my larger spots overnight! Also was nicely hydrating when I forgot my moisturiser

Definitely not good for fungal acne, didn’t know I had FA and that this was contributing to it- would continue to use if that wasn’t the case :P

#great value
#hydrating
#oily