Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm Versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum .

Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on May 21, 2022

Overview

What they are

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

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain silicones and sulfates

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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Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Facial Treatment

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

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Rescue Balm

Starts at $12.99

Shop

Buy Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Starts at $15.45

Ingredient Info

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

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm 31 ingredients

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 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

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm 31 ingredients

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation

Anti-Aging

Scar Healing

Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)

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)

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Ingredients Compared

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

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm 31 ingredients

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 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

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

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 1.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dimethicone

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 3.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

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

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 6.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

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.

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm contains this as ingredient number 30.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 33.

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

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm 31 ingredients

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

26% are loved or liked

13% have mixed ratings

39% are disliked or very disliked

23% have no rating yet

52% are loved or liked

9% have mixed ratings

39% 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

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm 31 ingredients

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Hero Cosmetics Rescue Balm 31 ingredients

4.0 /5

from 3 ratings

KadriReede_527

5 months ago · Sensitive Skin

Review

Very good product.
It won't heal Your acne spot with a single night, but it speeds up development and healing process of it big time.
It has...

Very good product.
It won't heal Your acne spot with a single night, but it speeds up development and healing process of it big time.
It has cream consistency and it feels moisturizing on skin.

Hero Cosmetics

Rescue Balm

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)