Head to head
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 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 The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if
- you want the more affordable option
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
What each delivers
Side by side
| Skin Renewing Retinol Serum | Retinol 0.5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Ceramide 3, Niacinamide | Retinol 0.5%, Squalane, Jojoba Oil |
| 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 | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | One caution |
| Ingredients | 37 listed | 8 listed |
| Price | ~€18 | ~€8 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
Both share
Only in Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Fine lines & firmnessEither works
- Breakouts & congestionSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€18).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 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 The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€18).
Can I use CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane 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 40 comparisons
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
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- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Retinol 0.5% in Squalane vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster