Head to head
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum.
The bottom lineCeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if
- your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Adapalene Gel 0.1% if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- you want the more affordable option
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
What each delivers
Side by side
| Skin Renewing Retinol Serum | Adapalene Gel 0.1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Ceramide 3, Niacinamide | Adapalene |
| Texture | A rich, cushiony cream that sinks in slowly. | 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 | One caution |
| Ingredients | 37 listed | 8 listed |
| Price | ~€18 | ~€17 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Adapalene Gel 0.1%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Fine lines & firmnessSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Breakouts & congestionAdapalene Gel 0.1%
- Dryness & dehydrationSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the cheaper of the two (~€17 vs ~€18).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%?
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the cheaper of the two (~€17 vs ~€18).
Can I use CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum and Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% 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.
Compare it with…
All 48 comparisons
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- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Medik8 Liquid Peptides
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs iUNIK Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster