Head to head
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
The bottom lineCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, oil-control & blemishes, anti-aging), while The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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
- your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% if
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you want the more affordable option
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
What each delivers
Side by side
| Resurfacing Retinol Serum | Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Vitamin B3, Ceramide 3, Retinol | Vitamin C (LAA), Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate |
| 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 | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 33 listed | 15 listed |
| Price | ~€16 | ~€6 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Both share
Only in Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneVitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Fine lines & firmnessResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Breakouts & congestionResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
- Sensitive, reactive skinVitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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 Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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, oil-control & blemishes, anti-aging), while The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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 Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%?
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€16).
Can I use CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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.