Head to head
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary GF 15% Solution vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
The bottom lineCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, oil-control & blemishes, anti-aging), while The Ordinary GF 15% Solution is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary GF 15% Solution if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary GF 15% Solution keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Resurfacing Retinol Serum if
- your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you want more actives working at once
Pick GF 15% Solution if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
What each delivers
Side by side
| Resurfacing Retinol Serum | GF 15% Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Niacinamide, Ceramide 3, Retinol | Glycerin, Epidermal Growth Factor |
| Texture | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. | 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 | Likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 33 listed | 12 listed |
| Price | ~€16 | ~€16 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Both share
No active in common.
Only in GF 15% Solution
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Fine lines & firmnessResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Breakouts & congestionResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationGF 15% Solution
- Sensitive, reactive skinGF 15% Solution
Both sit around the same price (~€16 vs ~€16).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary GF 15% Solution better for fine lines & firmness?
For fine lines & firmness, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, oil-control & blemishes, anti-aging), while The Ordinary GF 15% Solution is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary GF 15% Solution if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary GF 15% Solution keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary GF 15% Solution?
Both sit around the same price (~€16 vs ~€16).
Can I use CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary GF 15% Solution 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 33 comparisons
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Medik8 Liquid Peptides
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs iUNIK Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- GF 15% Solution vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- GF 15% Solution vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- GF 15% Solution vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- GF 15% Solution vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- GF 15% Solution vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- GF 15% Solution vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster