Side-by-side comparison

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

Both are serums. They share a 66% active-ingredient overlap, so the real decision is about price, texture and the supporting ingredients. Here's the side-by-side.

66%Active overlap
CeraVe
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
SerumMid-rangeEvening only
Rough TextureDark SpotsAgingSensitive skinDamaged barrier

Encapsulated retinol with niacinamide, ceramides and licorice root extract for post-acne marks. Low-irritation formulation — a sensible step up from a niacinamide-only routine, or a maintenance retinol for acne-prone skin that's finished with benzoyl peroxide.

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The Ordinary
Retinol 1% in Squalane
SerumBudgetEvening only
AgingRough TextureDark SpotsSensitive skinDamaged barrier

The advanced-strength option in The Ordinary's retinol ladder — oil-based, no water, stable. For users who've already tolerated 0.2% and 0.5% and are ready to escalate. Expect visible purging and dryness in the first 2–4 weeks; pair with a barrier-supporting moisturiser and strict AM SPF.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

On price, the The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane sits in the Budget tier versus Mid-range for the CeraVe — so it's the more budget-led pick if the overlap is what you're after.

The overlap

What they share

At 66% active overlap, these are the ingredients doing comparable work in both formulas:

Retinol
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

CeraVe — top of the list

  • Water~50–80%
  • Glycerin~5–25%
  • Caprylic/Capri…~3–10%
  • Niacinamide~2–6%
  • Sodium Hydroxy…~1.5–4%
  • Cetyl Alcohol~1–2%
  • Pentylene Glycol~1–2%
  • Ceramide NP~1–2%
  • Retinol~1–2%
  • Licorice Root …~1–2%

The Ordinary — top of the list

  • Squalane~50–80%
  • Caprylic/Capri…~5–25%
  • Retinol1%
  • Solanum Lycope…~2–6%
  • Simmondsia Chi…~1.5–4%
  • Rosa Rubiginos…~1–2%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

CeraVeThe Ordinary
CategorySerumSerum
Price tierMid-rangeBudget
Best forRough Texture, Dark Spots, AgingAging, Rough Texture, Dark Spots
Usage notesEvening onlyEvening only
Active overlap66% — Retinol
Questions

Common questions

Is the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or the The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane better?
Neither is universally better — they share 66% active-ingredient overlap, so for the actives that drive results they're close. The The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane is the more budget-friendly option, while the other may differ on texture, finish and supporting ingredients. Pick based on your skin's priorities rather than a single 'winner'.
What's the difference between the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and the The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane?
Both are serums that share Retinol. Where they differ: they sit in different price tiers (Mid-range vs Budget).
Are the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane dupes for each other?
They share 66% active-ingredient overlap based on published INCI lists, so one can stand in for the other on the actives that matter — chiefly Retinol. A dupe matches the hero actives, not the full sensory experience, so expect differences in texture, fragrance and exact concentrations.
Can I use the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane together?
They both fill the serum slot in a routine, so you'd normally pick one rather than layer both. If you want to use both, treat one as your daytime option and the other for evening, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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66% overlap

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