Head to head

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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 The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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
The OrdinaryMulti-Peptide + HA SerumSerum · ~€21See every ingredient in Multi-Peptide + HA 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
  • you want the more affordable option

Pick Multi-Peptide + HA Serum if

  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Skin Renewing Retinol SerumMulti-Peptide + HA Serum
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    107
  • Brightening / tone
    73
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    83
  • Anti-aging
    96

Side by side

Skin Renewing Retinol SerumMulti-Peptide + HA Serum
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Ceramide 3, NiacinamideGlycerin, Crosslinked sodium HA, 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 detectedNone detected
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyNot likely
PregnancyOne cautionNo flagged actives
Ingredients37 listed51 listed
Price~€18~€21

What's in one but not the other

The molecule doing the work

Skin Renewing Retinol SerumGlycerin
Multi-Peptide + HA 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 skinMulti-Peptide + HA Serum

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€18 vs ~€21).

Ready to pick one?

Affiliate links, so a purchase sends us a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Glow Simplified earns from qualifying purchases. We make and sell nothing here, so the verdict above never bends toward a sale.

Common questions

Is CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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 The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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 The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum?

CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€18 vs ~€21).

Can I use CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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.

Compare it with…

All 46 comparisons