The Ordinary Retinol vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

What actually differs?

The Ordinary has the lower listed upfront price, which is a rare occasion when its name does some useful work. Without CeraVe's package size, these prices cannot tell you which costs less per millilitre.1

Which should you choose?

For a first retinol, The Ordinary tells you to start with 0.2%, then progress to 0.5% and eventually 1%. Choose CeraVe if having niacinamide and ceramides in the same bottle matters more to you than knowing the retinol percentage.1

Neither is an automatic choice for sensitive skin. Retinoids, the vitamin A family that includes retinol, can irritate skin. If your skin is already very dry, inflamed or prone to allergies, discuss alternatives with a dermatologist before starting. Irritation can also trigger dark marks in darker skin, making a slow introduction particularly useful.3

How should you introduce retinol?

1. 1Patch test a small area before applying retinol to your face.
2. 2At bedtime, wash with a gentle cleanser and pat your skin dry. Do not scrub.
3. 3Follow your product's application amount. As general retinol guidance, start every other night rather than daily and increase slowly as tolerated.
4. 4Apply moisturizer afterwards. Water based serums go before The Ordinary's squalane serum; heavier creams go after it. Let each layer absorb before adding the next.
5. 5Use sunscreen during the day, and add shade and protective clothing.

Refrigerate The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane after opening and use it within three months. Do not layer it with CeraVe's retinol, another retinoid or a prescription retinoid. The Ordinary also advises against combining its formula with direct acids or vitamin C.1

What results should you expect?

Retinol can improve uneven tone, texture and fine lines. Expect several weeks before visible improvement, with wrinkle changes and fading dark spots often taking months. These are general retinol timelines, not a reason to expect one of these bottles to work faster. The Ordinary's 1% formula is not an acne treatment, and deep or raised acne scars are not reliably corrected by topical retinol.134

When should you stop or get help?

Dryness, redness, peeling, itching and burning are possible. If The Ordinary causes irritation, rinse it off, stop using it and consult a doctor. Avoid retinoids during pregnancy; The Ordinary also advises avoiding them while breastfeeding. If acne is deep, painful, causing scars or not improving with self treatment, see a doctor rather than increasing cosmetic retinol strength.1346