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Cerave Retinol vs. Neutrogena Retinol vs. The Ordinary Retinol: Which is Best for You?

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Cerave Retinol vs. Neutrogena Retinol vs. The Ordinary Retinol: Which is Best for You?

Beauty

The skin-care-obsessed already know this, retinol is an essential ingredient in any anti-aging skincare routine. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that stimulates collagen production to strengthen the skin’s foundation. It also enhances cell turnover to improve radiance and even out skin tone and texture. But many retinol creams leave a greasy residue and feel too rich for oily or acne-prone skin. That's where retinol serums come in: The lighter formulas tend to absorb more quickly into skin, and still leave room for us to apply our feel-good moisturizers before sliding into bed every night. Best of all, many of these can be found at the drugstore for an extremely wallet-friendly price. Here, three cult favorites of drugstore retinol serums in the market are CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum, and The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane. So which is the best for you? Below, we will make a comparison to help you choose.

Cover Photo:editor lucia

The Difference & Reviews

| CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum

Google Users Rating: 4.5/5

Walmart: $14.99 (up to 4% cashback)

Walgreens: $16.99 (up to 4% cashback)

CVS: $23.49 (up to 2% cashback)

Source:cerave.com

Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Face Cream Serum is designed to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also helping to repair the protective skin barrier. It uses MVE Technology (MultiVesicular Emulsion Technology) for the controlled release of encapsulated retinol over the course of 24 hours. It also combines with hyaluronic acid, soothing niacinamide, and three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) to help restore the skin's barrier.

Pros	Cons
It has ceramides that maintain the skin's natural barrier	It doesn't clear all the skin blemishes and acne scars since it has a lower potency
Encapsulated retinol makes it an attractive, gentle formulation	This product would not be suitable for more mature skin with advanced signs of skin aging
Perfect for targeting fine lines, wrinkles and early signs of aging
Appropriate for all skin types
Non-comedogenic and fragrance-free
Developed with dermatologists

Review: The CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Cream Serum is also a good retinol serum, especially for those with dry skin, sensitive skin, and acne prone skin. What is great is that the retinol is in an encapsulated form, allowing for slower but sustained release. This ensures minimal irritation, even for someone new to retinols. If you're a newbie, this is definitely for you, because this contains a lower retinol percentage than many other retinol products.

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| Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum

Google Users Rating: 4.1/5

Walmart: $14.50 (up to 4% cashback)

Walgreens: $23.99 (up to 4% cashback)

iHerb: $21.72 (up to 5% cashback)

Source:walmart.com

Neutrogena uses an accelerated retinol SA which the company describes as a "unique combination of retinol, glucose complex and hyaluronic acid and works in our formulas to renew your skin and deliver fast, effective, visible results."

Retinol is a powerful ingredient that fights fine lines, dullness, wrinkles and dark spots. Plus, Hyaluronic Acid adds plumping moisture to help hydrate & rejuvenate the look of skin, making it the perfect addition to an at-home skincare routine. While vitamin C helps to brighten skin, and tackle uneven skin tone and discoloration. This retinol serum is free of mineral oil and dyes and comes from the #1 retinol brand used most by dermatologists.

Pros	Cons
Retinol containing formula is clinically proven to leave skin feeling smoother	This formula contains fragrance, which may cause irritation
Visibly Brightens & evens skin tone, and fades the look of stubborn wrinkles
100% of women in a clinical trial experienced noticeable results in just 1 week of use
Hyaluronic acid adds plumping moisture to help hydrate & rejuvenate the look of skin
From the #1 retinol brand used most by dermatologists
Free of mineral oil and dyes

Review: If you're looking to give your skin a smoother, more youthful appearance, then this retinol-infused serum will do just the trick. Not only does Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum work, er, rapidly (with results starting in as little as a week), it also absorbs in a flash, which means no waiting around before applying moisturizer. Bonus points for its healthy dose of super-hydrating hyaluronic acid.

| The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane

Google Users Rating: 4.4/5

Sephora: $9.00 (up to 4% cashback)

Skinstore: $8.00 (up to 8% cashback)

LOOKFANTASTIC US: $8.00 (up to 10% cashback)

Source:sephora.com

Enriched with a 1% concentration of the anti-aging powerhouse Retinol, which is a derivative of Vitamin A, the lightweight serum has a plumping and firming effect on the complexion, as well as protecting the skin from harmful environmental aggressors. Another key antioxidant ingredient Squalene prevents UV damage and the formation of age spots while counteracting harmful bacteria, leaving you with flawless skin. This retinol serum is also suitable for targeting the appearance of acne, as it helps to refine pores, reduce the appearance of pigmentation, and improve skin texture.

Pros	Cons
High concentration of true Retinol 1%	High Strength, Very High Irritation
Lightweight retinol serum with oily consistency
Helps fight wrinkles and hyperpigmentation
Stable formula free of water, alcohol, and silicones
Affordable

Review: The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane has an oily-watery consistency but slightly golden-hued. It leaves barely any residue behind and feels surprisingly dry for an oil-based product – that's thanks to the combination of Squalane and Jojoba 'oils' which thanks to their unique structure. The Ordinary Retinol has been good value. It is much cheaper than similar products on the market. However, people with sensitive skin should do a patch test before using this.

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