Head to head

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.

The bottom line

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol SerumCeraVeResurfacing Retinol SerumSerum · ~€16See every ingredient in Resurfacing Retinol Serum, decoded
Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterVichyMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterSerum · ~€22See every ingredient in Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster, decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick Resurfacing Retinol Serum if

  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
  • fine lines and firmness are the goal
  • you want the more affordable option

Pick Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if

  • plump, lasting hydration is what you want
  • you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Resurfacing Retinol SerumMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
  • Hydration
    810
  • Barrier repair
    107
  • Brightening / tone
    73
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    81
  • Anti-aging
    92

Side by side

Resurfacing Retinol SerumMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesNiacinamide, Ceramide 3, RetinolGlycerin, Hyaluronic acid
TextureA 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.
FragranceNone detectedNone detected
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyLikely
PregnancyOne cautionNo flagged actives
Ingredients33 listed14 listed
Price~€16~€22

What's in one but not the other

Both share

Only in Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

The molecule doing the work

Resurfacing Retinol SerumNiacinamide
Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterGlycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneResurfacing Retinol Serum
  • Fine lines & firmnessResurfacing Retinol Serum
  • Breakouts & congestionResurfacing Retinol Serum
  • Dryness & dehydrationMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
  • Sensitive, reactive skinMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€16 vs ~€22).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster better for dark spots & uneven tone?

For dark spots & uneven tone, 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, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster?

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€16 vs ~€22).

Can I use CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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.

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