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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum .

Last updated on September 14, 2023. Published on August 10, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 11 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, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

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

Serum British Brand United Kingdom
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

Serum

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

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate

Starts at $24.49
Shop

Buy Skin Renewing Retinol Serum

Starts at $19.20

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
Peptides (3)

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Retinoid
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (5)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Compared

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

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, 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

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 1.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 2.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
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.

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 4.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

4
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.

Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.

Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 5.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
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.

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 7.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.

6
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 8.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 9.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

8
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

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 12.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.

9
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.

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 18.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.

10
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 19.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 36.

11
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising
Community Rating: Mixed

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Hydroxyethylcellulose helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.

This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.

Learn more about Hydroxyethylcellulose

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate contains this as ingredient number 23.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.

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

33% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
38% 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.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate 27 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
gemmajaws's avatar

gemmajaws

2 years ago · Dry Skin
Review

Effective non-prescription retinol
The texture is sort of like a hybrid serum/lotion that sinks into my skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth....

Effective non-prescription retinol
The texture is sort of like a hybrid serum/lotion that sinks into my skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth. Do not let this product fool you, it is about as strong as you can get OTC and should be used with caution. I have been using retinol products for years (non-prescription strength) and this is by and far my favourite, the one I continue to use regularly.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 37 ingredients

Skin Renewing Retinol Serum hasn't been rated yet.
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