Head to head
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 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 Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Resurfacing Retinol Serum if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
Pick Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Resurfacing Retinol Serum | Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Niacinamide, Ceramide 3, Retinol | Glycerin, Retinol, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 2% |
| 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 | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | One caution |
| Ingredients | 33 listed | 33 listed |
| Price | ~€16 | ~€13 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Both share
Only in Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Fine lines & firmnessEither works
- Breakouts & congestionResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationGranactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the cheaper of the two (~€13 vs ~€16).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 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 Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion?
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion is the cheaper of the two (~€13 vs ~€16).
Can I use CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion 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.
Compare it with…
All 24 comparisons
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster