The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Two night treatments, compared on what the catalogue records about each.

Which should you buy? CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum costs about $10 more. Pick The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion for fine lines, sensitive skin. Pick CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum for acne, starting out gently.

The Ordinary

Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

The amber bottle. Texture, fine lines and tone over months, not weeks, and only if you will actually wear sunscreen daily. Do not start it the same week as an acid, and not while pregnant or nursing.

1 oz, around $12. Fine lines, Textured hair, Post-acne marks, Dark spots

AmazonUltaSephora

CeraVe

Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Encapsulated retinol, which releases slowly and stings less than most. A reasonable first retinoid, aimed at the marks and roughness left after breakouts rather than at the breakouts themselves. Not while pregnant or nursing.

1 oz, around $22. Post-acne marks, Textured hair, Dark spots, Acne

AmazonTargetUlta

Side by side

  The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
1 oz, around $12
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
1 oz, around $22
Pricearound $12around $22
Size1 oz1 oz
Suited toFine lines, Textured hair, Post-acne marks, Dark spots, An affordable pickPost-acne marks, Textured hair, Dark spots, Acne, An affordable pick
Only this oneFine lines, Sensitive skinAcne, Starting out gently

What they share

Both are night treatments suited to textured hair, post-acne marks, dark spots, an affordable pick, deeper skin tones, fragrance-free.

Questions people also ask

What is the difference between The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion and CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum?

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum costs about $10 more. Pick The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion for fine lines, sensitive skin. Pick CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum for acne, starting out gently.

Which is cheaper, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion or CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum?

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion, at around $12 for 1 oz, against around $22 for 1 oz. Retail prices move, so check the retailer.

What do The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion and CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum have in common?

Both are night treatments suited to textured hair, post-acne marks, dark spots, an affordable pick.

Catalogue entries last updated . Prices move constantly and are checked against the retailer, not stored here.