Head to head
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
The bottom lineCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- you want the more affordable option
- you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)
What each delivers
Side by side
| Resurfacing Retinol Serum | Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Niacinamide, Ceramide 3, Retinol | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid 2%, Crosslinked sodium HA |
| 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 | 17 listed |
| Price | ~€16 | ~€8 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Both share
Only in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Fine lines & firmnessResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Breakouts & congestionResurfacing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Sensitive, reactive skinHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€16).
Ready to pick one?
Affiliate links, so a purchase sends us a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Glow Simplified earns from qualifying purchases. We make and sell nothing here, so the verdict above never bends toward a sale.
Common questions
Is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)?
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€16).
Can I use CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 28 comparisons
- Resurfacing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- 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
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster