Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum .
Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on January 27, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils 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.
Prescription
Prescription skincare treatments. The ingredients in these product are prescription strength and considered medication. In many countries, these must be prescribed by a certified professional.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Ingredient Info
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateRetin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) contains this as ingredient number 3.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
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 GumRetin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) contains this as ingredient number 6.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.
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 WaterRetin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) contains this as ingredient number 9.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin) 9 ingredients
SpaceyTrxsh
Retinol did nothing for my skin. After using different kinds of strengths and seeing no results I decided to give up on retinol and start using...
Retinol did nothing for my skin. After using different kinds of strengths and seeing no results I decided to give up on retinol and start using tretinoin and it was the best decision ever. My skin is becoming clearer and clearer every day.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
SkincareSimba
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)
Alternatives
We haven't detected any alternatives for Retin-A (Tretinoin) Retin-A 0.025% (Tretinoin).
Our Dupe Finder has found 42 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
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