Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane versus CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum .

Last updated on September 19, 2023. Published on January 30, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe They have a total of 1 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, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances 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.

Facial Treatment Canadian Brand Canada
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

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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

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Eczema

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.

Squalane • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Retinol • Solanum Lycopersicum Fruit Extract • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone • BHT

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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

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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
Community Rating: Liked

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A This anti-aging ingredient has plenty of research to back up its claims.

Unlike AHA's, retinol does not remove the top layer of old and dead skin cells. Instead, it travels directly to the middle layer and gets to work. As an antioxidant, it boosts elastin and collagen production.

This makes retinol effective in removing fine lines, wrinkles, fading dark spots, and enlarged pores.

Retinol is sensitive to breakdown when exposed to sun and air. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.

Retinol (and retinoids) will also make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Studies show using retinol consistently will make your skin sensitive for up to a month after the last application. Definitely wear SPF after applying retinol!

It is not recommended to use any retinols while pregnant. 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

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane contains this as ingredient number 4.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

38% are loved or liked
25% have mixed ratings
13% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet
52% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
36% 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

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 8 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 review
glasscasita's Avatar'
Sep 13, 2021

Like the texture
I've tried a lot of retinols and liked the texture of this one the most

Like the texture
I've tried a lot of retinols and liked the texture of this one the most

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 5 reviews
zirteab's Avatar'
Nov 18, 2023

Did nothing for me
Didn't do anything for me, but also didn't break me out. I was expecting it to help with my closed comedones.

Did nothing for me
Didn't do anything for me, but also didn't break me out. I was expecting it to help with my closed comedones.

MeaganClare's Avatar'
Apr 26, 2023

Amazing
It's amazing. It hasn't caused purging, and I immediately noticed a difference in fine lines and overall hydration of my skin since starting using it. I almost hesitated to post a positive review as it is already so difficult to...

Amazing
It's amazing. It hasn't caused purging, and I immediately noticed a difference in fine lines and overall hydration of my skin since starting using it. I almost hesitated to post a positive review as it is already so difficult to find in store.

NicoleDeniseDimaguila_71's Avatar'
Aug 30, 2023

Did wonders for my skin

Did wonders for my skin

Price

Shop this product
We earn a small commission when you shop through our links, at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support!
See 2 Current Skincare Sales ->
Shop this product
We earn a small commission when you shop through our links, at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support!
See 2 Current Skincare Sales ->

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane.

See 4 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 34 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.

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