Medicube NAD EGF Serum vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum: which should you buy?
A no-retinoid peptide firming serum against CeraVe’s encapsulated retinol: two routes to smoother-looking skin.
CeraVe CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Face Serum with Niacinamide, Pore
4.6(57,107) $16.49$21.99-25% Check price on Amazon →The short answer
if you want firming care without a retinoid, or your skin does not tolerate retinol.
if your skin is ready for a retinoid and you want the best-evidenced active for a lower price.
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Side by side
| NAD EGF Firming Serum | CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $21.80 See on Amazon → | $16.49$21.99-25% See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.6 | ★★★★★ 4.6 |
| Review count | 2,928 | 57,107 |
| Amazon best-seller rank | #12 in Facial Serums | #13 in Facial Serums |
| Amazon purchases | 40K+ bought | 40K+ bought |
| Key active | NAD and EGF | retinol |
| Format | serum | serum |
| Size | 1.01 fl.oz | - |
| Routine step | treat | treat |
| Best for | firmness | - |
| Sensitive-skin friendly | Listing flags no strong actives | Contains actives, patch test |
| Highlights |
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Our verdict
Both rate 4.6 out of 5, so this comes down to the active you want. CeraVe’s Resurfacing Retinol Serum puts encapsulated retinol 19th of 33, with niacinamide 5th and ceramides 10th, fragrance-free, aimed at texture and post-acne marks. Retinol is the most studied over-the-counter ingredient for fine lines, but it needs sunscreen and a slow start, and it is flagged here as not for reactive skin. Medicube’s NAD EGF Firming Serum takes the no-retinoid route: niacinamide 4th of 65, the EGF peptide 20th and NAD 24th, sold for face and neck firmness and flagged as gentle enough for daily use. The research behind topical EGF and NAD is far thinner than retinol’s. CeraVe is also cheaper and has the much larger review base, 57,107 against 2,928. If your skin tolerates a retinoid, CeraVe is doing the better-researched work. If it does not, the Medicube is the gentler firming option.
Which one is for you?
- Choose the Medicube NAD EGF Firming Serum if you want firming care without a retinoid, or your skin does not tolerate retinol. Read our full look at the NAD EGF Firming Serum →
- Choose the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if your skin is ready for a retinoid and you want the best-evidenced active for a lower price. See the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum on Amazon →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the NAD EGF Firming Serum and the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum?
A no-retinoid peptide firming serum against CeraVe’s encapsulated retinol: two routes to smoother-looking skin.
Which is better, the NAD EGF Firming Serum or the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum?
Neither is simply better; it depends on your skin and goal. Choose the Medicube NAD EGF Firming Serum if you want firming care without a retinoid, or your skin does not tolerate retinol. Choose the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if your skin is ready for a retinoid and you want the best-evidenced active for a lower price.
Can I use the NAD EGF Firming Serum and the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum together?
Often yes. If they sit at different routine steps you can layer them lightest to heaviest, and if they do the same job you would usually pick one. Introduce new actives one at a time and patch test first.
Where these claims come from
- Star ratings and review counts: Amazon.com's own figures for each listing, read on 2026-09-30.
- Prices and stock: read from each Amazon.com listing, read on 2026-09-30.
- Best Sellers Rank and "bought in past month" badges: Amazon.com's own figures, shown on the product page, read on 2026-09-30.
- Ingredient list as published by the manufacturer · medicube.us
- Ingredient list as published by the manufacturer · cerave.com
We have not tested either product. Everything above is read from the listings and the manufacturer, with the dates shown, plus our own reading of what the two are for. Ratings are Amazon customers' scores, not ours.
Amazon.com figures, not ours: prices read on 2026-09-30; star ratings and review counts read on 2026-09-30. Prices and ratings change; these are dated snapshots.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in PDRN & Salmon DNA or browse the whole range.