Side-by-side comparison

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

Both serums contain Niacinamide, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.

1Shared hero active
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
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
SerumBudgetEvening only
OilinessAcneDark SpotsRough Texture

High-dose niacinamide serum targeting sebum regulation, visible pore appearance and post-acne marks. Water-based, fragrance-free, and compatible with almost every other active on the shelf — the default oil-control serum for combination and oily skin.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

Both contain Niacinamide. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum adds Retinol and Licorice Root Extract. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the better fit for signs of aging; The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% for oiliness and acne. On price, The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the less expensive option (Budget versus Mid-range).

The overlap

What they share

This hero active appears in both formulas:

Niacinamide
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum — 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 Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — top of the list

  • Aqua (Water)~50–80%
  • Niacinamide10%
  • Pentylene Glycol~3–10%
  • Zinc PCA1%
  • Dimethyl Isoso…~1.5–4%

● 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

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol SerumThe Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
CategorySerumSerum
Price tierMid-rangeBudget
Best forRough Texture, Dark Spots, AgingOiliness, Acne, Dark Spots
Usage notesEvening onlyEvening only
Shared hero activesNiacinamide
Questions

Common questions

Is the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% better?
It depends on what you're treating. Both contain Niacinamide; CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum adds Retinol and Licorice Root Extract.
What's the difference between the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum's hero actives are Retinol, Niacinamide, Ceramides and Licorice Root Extract. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%'s are Niacinamide. They also sit in different price tiers (Mid-range versus Budget).
Are the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% dupes for each other?
Partly. They share Niacinamide, but CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum's Retinol and Licorice Root Extract aren't in the other, so they aren't full substitutes.
Can I use the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% together?
Usually, yes. Apply the thinner texture first, then the thicker one, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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1 shared hero active

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