1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
CeraVe
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
face serum
CeraVe
face serum
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testDeveloped with dermatologists, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum helps smooth your skin's texture by reducing the appearance of post-acne marks, minimizing the look of pores and improving your skin’s surface. Our formula contains encapsulated retinol to help resurface your skin, plus licorice root extract to help brighten your skin’s appearance. In addition, it's formulated with 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in skins moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier, along with soothing niacinamide. MVE technology encapsulates ceramides to ensure efficient delivery within the skin’s barrier and slow release over time. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, our resurfacing serum helps restore your even skin tone and promote a healthy-looking complexion.
Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a lightweight serum from CeraVe, a brand based in USA. The formula is built mainly around hydration and soothing. The ingredient list runs to 33 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order. Silicones in the formula tend to give a smooth, blurred finish and help it grip under makeup. Hydration is handled by Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate and Ethylhexylglycerin, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: Very high. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin and Water.
Soothing: High. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and Sodium Hyaluronate.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP and Ceramide AP.
Brightening: Moderate. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Niacinamide and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate.
On richness alone it suits Balanced, Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, paraben-free, microplastic-free, sulfate-free and dye-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging. It does contain drying alcohol, worth knowing if your skin reacts to any of them.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after toner, before moisturiser. Apply to clean, dry skin and give it a minute to absorb before the next layer. Introduce one new treatment at a time so you can identify what is working.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores
Fades hyperpigmentation and evens out dark spots over time
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Dimethicone
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, C16-18-alkyl esters
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Lecithins, hydrogenated
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide EOP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Stearoyloxyheptacosamide,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alcohols, C16-18
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Docosyltrimethylammonium methyl sulphate
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Alcohol
Dimethicone, Dimethiconol
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
This product is the "Treat" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 33 ingredients on the label.
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Dissolves and carries everything else
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Forms a film that slows water loss
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Dimethicone
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, C16-18-alkyl esters
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1-Propanesulfonic acid, 2-methyl-2-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)amino]-, monoammonium salt, homopolymer
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
.alpha.-d-Glucopyranosiduronic acid, (3.beta.,20.beta.)-20-carboxy-11-oxo-30-norolean-12-en-3-yl 2-O-.beta.-d-glucopyranuronosyl-, dipotassium salt
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Lecithins, hydrogenated
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Potassium dihydrogenorthophosphate
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide EOP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Stearoyloxyheptacosamide,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyloxyheptacosanoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alcohols, C16-18
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Docosyltrimethylammonium methyl sulphate
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Poly[oxy(dimethylsilylane)], .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Lecithins. The complex combination of diglycerides of fatty acids linked to the choline ester of phosphoric acid
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Trisodium citrate
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Retinol; vitamin A
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium 2-(1-carboxylatoethoxy)-1-methyl-2-oxoethyl laurate
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Cholest-5-en-3-ol (beta)-
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Phenoxyethanol
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ethanol
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Tetradecanoic acid, isopropyl ester
26th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Octane-1,2-diol
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
28th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt
29th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
30th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-amino-, (2S, 3S, 4R)-
31st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
32nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.
33rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
Mary&May
Shares 11 key ingredients with Resurfacing Retinol Serum: Water, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Niacinamide, Retinol
CeraVe
Shares 11 key ingredients with Resurfacing Retinol Serum: Water, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
CeraVe
Shares 10 key ingredients with Resurfacing Retinol Serum: Water, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP
Anua
Shares 10 key ingredients with Resurfacing Retinol Serum: Water, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Retinol, Ceramide NP
Holika Holika
Shares 9 key ingredients with Resurfacing Retinol Serum: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
Arencia
Shares 9 key ingredients with Resurfacing Retinol Serum: Water, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Hydrogenated Lecithin
WATER, PROPANEDIOL, DIMETHICONE, CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, NIACINAMIDE, AMMONIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, DIMETHICONOL, LECITHIN, SODIUM CITRATE, RETINOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, ALCOHOL, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, POLYSORBATE 20, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN.
NIACINAMIDE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, RETINOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, CITRIC ACID.
Apply evenly to face daily. PM Only. Avoid contact with eyes and lips. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. If discomfort occurs during the first application, space out applications until skin adjusts. Apply a sunscreen while using this product.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced, Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
2 ingredients could feed malassezia: Isopropyl Myristate, Polysorbate 20. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that they will cause a breakout.
It contains Retinol, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
Yes — it contains Alcohol.
No — it contains Dimethicone, Dimethiconol.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Retinoids (retinol, retinal), Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Take more care combining it with AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide, Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Azelaic acid — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.
Use it morning and evening, after toner, before moisturiser.
It lists 33 ingredients, of which 7 are recorded as actives.
CeraVe, a brand based in USA.
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