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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum versus The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane .

Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on June 02, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . 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 need an update? Let us know.

Serum Canadian Brand Canada
Facial Treatment Canadian Brand Canada

Serum

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

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Starts at $15.45
Shop

Buy Retinol 1% in Squalane

Starts at $8.90

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

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

Retinoid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.

It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.

Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.

Using retinol and retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. 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

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 3.

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

52% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
39% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
33% are loved or liked
33% have mixed ratings
17% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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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's avatar

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)

CentellaAddict's avatar

CentellaAddict

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

No more acne, very slow at reducing pigmentation tho

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane 6 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 4 ratings
Oily (3) Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1) Great Value (1) Heavy (1) Absorbs Well (1)
specialuniquesnowflake's avatar

specialuniquesnowflake

2 months ago · Normal Skin
Review

Just no. Oily products absolutely don't work for me. They just sit on my skin for hours, feels like they don't absorb at all. Therefore no visible...

Just no. Oily products absolutely don't work for me. They just sit on my skin for hours, feels like they don't absorb at all. Therefore no visible effect either. If oily products don't work for you, just skip this one.

magicalmarion's avatar

magicalmarion

4 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Gave me a balancing skin complexion and nice soft feeling by using it as an evening serum. But when i used it more often broke me out (fungal...

Gave me a balancing skin complexion and nice soft feeling by using it as an evening serum. But when i used it more often broke me out (fungal acne). Didn’t see any major changes but did not irritate me.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 42 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane.

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