Head to head
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
The bottom lineCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Resurfacing Retinol Serum if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
Pick Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want the more affordable option
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
What each delivers
Side by side
| Resurfacing Retinol Serum | Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Vitamin B3, Ceramide 3, Retinol | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid |
| Texture | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. |
| Fragrance | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 33 listed | 25 listed |
| Price | ~€16 | ~€10 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Both share
Only in Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Fine lines & firmnessResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Breakouts & congestionResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Sensitive, reactive skinCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€16).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€16).
Can I use CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum together?
They are both serums, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.