Head to head
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
The bottom lineCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on hydration, anti-aging), while The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if
- you want the more affordable option
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
What each delivers
Side by side
| Resurfacing Retinol Serum | Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Vitamin B3, Ceramide 3, Retinol | Vitamin B3 10%, Zinc PCA, Pentylene Glycol |
| 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 | 11 listed |
| Price | ~€16 | ~€6 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Both share
Only in Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneEither works
- Fine lines & firmnessResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Breakouts & congestionEither works
- Dryness & dehydrationResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Sensitive, reactive skinNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€16).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% better for fine lines & firmness?
For fine lines & firmness, 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, anti-aging), while The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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 Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€16).
Can I use CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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.