CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum vs Dr.Althea 0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum

CeraVe

Dr.Althea

A serum built around Vitamin C and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and hydration.

A serum built around Panthenol and Retinoid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Serum

26 ingredients

32 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 23.90 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from United States

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on Alcohol-free, Silicone-free, Oil-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)1
L-ascorbic acid, the unesterified form of vitamin C.
Ascorbic Acid

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Bakuchiol1
A plant-derived ingredient studied as a retinol alternative.
Bakuchiol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair12
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cholesterol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Panthenol, Phytosphingosine
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Anti-Aging1
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Ascorbic Acid

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Phytosphingosine, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Alcohol Denat., Isopropyl Myristate

May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
- Anti-Aging
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Alcohol Denat.
Fragrance
0 / —
- Denatured alcohol
- May Worsen Dryness
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —
Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion Stabilising
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
- Ceramide
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Dibutyl Adipate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
3 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Occlusive
1 / 1
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →