Head to head
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
The bottom lineCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Resurfacing Retinol Serum if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want the more affordable option
Pick Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
What each delivers
Side by side
| Resurfacing Retinol Serum | Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Niacinamide, Ceramide 3, Retinol | Squalane, Jojoba Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 5% |
| 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 | 10 listed |
| Price | ~€16 | ~€19 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Fine lines & firmnessEither works
- Breakouts & congestionResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Sensitive, reactive skinGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€16 vs ~€19).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 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 hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane?
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€16 vs ~€19).
Can I use CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 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 2% Emulsion
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster