Head to head
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary GF 15% Solution vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum.
The bottom lineCeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, oil-control & blemishes, anti-aging), while The Ordinary GF 15% Solution is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary GF 15% Solution if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary GF 15% Solution keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if
- your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you want more actives working at once
Pick GF 15% Solution 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
| Skin Renewing Retinol Serum | GF 15% Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Ceramide 3, Niacinamide | Glycerin, Epidermal Growth Factor |
| 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 | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 37 listed | 12 listed |
| Price | ~€18 | ~€16 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
Both share
Only in GF 15% Solution
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Fine lines & firmnessSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Breakouts & congestionSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
- Sensitive, reactive skinGF 15% Solution
The Ordinary GF 15% Solution is the cheaper of the two (~€16 vs ~€18).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary GF 15% Solution better for fine lines & firmness?
For fine lines & firmness, 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, oil-control & blemishes, anti-aging), while The Ordinary GF 15% Solution is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary GF 15% Solution if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary GF 15% Solution 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 The Ordinary GF 15% Solution?
The Ordinary GF 15% Solution is the cheaper of the two (~€16 vs ~€18).
Can I use CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary GF 15% Solution 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 35 comparisons
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
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- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs iUNIK Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- GF 15% Solution vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- GF 15% Solution vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- GF 15% Solution vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- GF 15% Solution vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- GF 15% Solution vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- GF 15% Solution vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster