Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum .
Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on January 30, 2024
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 ceramides, hyaluronic acid 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 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.
Price
Ingredient Info
The Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum 41 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
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
The Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum 41 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
The Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum 41 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Water • Dipropylene Glycol • Glycerin • Niacinamide • 1,2-Hexanediol • Panthenol • Butylene Glycol • Methyl Gluceth-20 • Propanediol • Serine • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Ceramide NP • Cholesterol • Caprylic Acid • Squalane • Glucose • Sodium Hyaluronate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Stearic Acid • Sclerotium Gum • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Arachidyl Alcohol • Behenyl Alcohol • Arachidyl Glucoside • Acrylates Copolymer • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Phytosteryl Oleate • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Carbomer • Xanthan Gum • Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil • Litsea Cubeba Fruit Oil • Origanum Majorana Leaf Oil • Cymbopogon Martini Oil • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil • Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil • Dimethicone • Cyclopentasiloxane • Triethylhexanoin • Tromethamine • Trisodium EDTA
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.
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 WaterThe Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Niacinamide 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 NiacinamideThe Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
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 PropanediolThe Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 9.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin. Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between molecule hydrogen and another element.
Hydrogenated Lecithin is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within.
The phospholipids in Hydrogenated Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier to be better absorbed.
As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Learn more about Hydrogenated LecithinThe Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPThe Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 10.
Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolThe Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateThe Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholThe Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 14.
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.
The Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
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 GumThe Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 31.
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.
The Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum 41 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
The Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum 41 ingredients
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Face Shop Dr. Belmeur Vita Serine Tone Smoothing Serum 41 ingredients
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)
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