Head to head

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum.

The bottom line

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

CeraVeSkin Renewing Retinol SerumSerum · ~€18See every ingredient in Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, decoded
La Roche-PosayHyalu B5 Suractivated SerumSerum · ~$40See every ingredient in Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum, decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if

  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
  • dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
  • your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance

Pick Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum if

  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Skin Renewing Retinol SerumHyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    108
  • Brightening / tone
    73
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    83
  • Anti-aging
    97

Side by side

Skin Renewing Retinol SerumHyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Ceramide 3, NiacinamideGlycerin, Pro-vitamin B5, Hyaluronic acid
TextureA 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.
FragranceNone detectedContains fragrance
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyNot likely
PregnancyOne cautionNo flagged actives
Ingredients37 listed32 listed
Price~€18~$40

What's in one but not the other

The molecule doing the work

Skin Renewing Retinol SerumGlycerin
Hyalu B5 Suractivated SerumGlycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
  • Fine lines & firmnessSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
  • Breakouts & congestionSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
  • Dryness & dehydrationEither works
  • Sensitive, reactive skinSkin Renewing Retinol Serum

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€18 vs ~$40).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum 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 barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

Which is cheaper, CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum?

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€18 vs ~$40).

Can I use CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum and La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum 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.

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