Head to head
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 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 Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 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
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 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 | Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Vitamin B3, Ceramide 3, Retinol | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid 2%, Crosslinked sodium HA |
| 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 | 17 listed |
| Price | ~€16 | ~€8 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Both share
Only in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Fine lines & firmnessResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Breakouts & congestionResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
- Sensitive, reactive skinHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€16).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 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 Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 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 Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5?
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€16).
Can I use CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 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.