CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum Versus Garnier Pure Active AHA + BHA Charcoal Serum
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, 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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients
Garnier Pure Active AHA + BHA Charcoal Serum 23 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients
Garnier Pure Active AHA + BHA Charcoal Serum 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingHydrogenated Palm Glycerides
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTriethanolamine
BufferingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract
MaskingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSilica
Abrasive
Potassium Phosphate
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCeramide 3
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide 6 Ii
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide 1
Skin Conditioning
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Polysorbate 20, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, PEG-40 Stearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Triethanolamine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cichorium Intybus Root Extract, Tocopherol, Niacinamide, Alcohol, Retinol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 Ii, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Ceramide 1
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventSodium Hydroxide
BufferingCharcoal Powder
Abrasive
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingHydroxypropyl Guar
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phytic Acid
Polyglycerin-10
HumectantPolyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Alcohol Denat., Niacinamide, Glycerin, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Charcoal Powder, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Phytic Acid, Polyglycerin-10, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Salicylic Acid, CI 17200, CI 19140, CI 42090, Parfum
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 WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients
Garnier Pure Active AHA + BHA Charcoal Serum 23 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients
Going back to Cerave's Resurfacing retinol. This bottle seemed less product than that. I don't think it worked as hard as the other retinol serum to prevent breakouts. Renewal had an unattractive yellow color, and a strange texture that takes a long time to sink in. Don't plan to repurchase this.
Garnier Pure Active AHA + BHA Charcoal Serum 23 ingredients
Helps with blemished and blackheads
