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
Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
face serum
CeraVe
face serum
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
See how this fits your skin
Take the skin test and I'll show you how suitable this product is for you.
Take the skin testCeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is a gentle, yet effective daily retinol serum that provides your skin with a variety of anti-aging benefits. Our retinol face serum is formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid for extra hydration, niacinamide to soothe, and three essential ceramides that work together to lock in moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier.
Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is a cushioning serum from CeraVe, a brand based in USA. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 37 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as moderately cushioned — emollient enough to feel like a cream, without the heaviest occlusives near the top. Silicones in the formula tend to give a smooth, blurred finish and help it grip under makeup. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid 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 Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin and Water.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP and Niacinamide.
On richness alone it suits Balanced skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry), Combination (oily) and Oily 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
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Regulates sebum production to reduce shine and greasiness
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.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerides, palm-oil mono-, di- and tri-, hydrogenated
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
13th 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
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
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**
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alcohols, C16-18
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Docosyltrimethylammonium methyl sulphate
22nd 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
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
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
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 37 ingredients on the label.
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
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Dissolves and carries everything else
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Forms a film that slows water loss
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
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.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Decanoic acid, ester with 1,2,3-propanetriol octanoate; Glycerides, mixed decanoyl and octanoyl
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1-hexadecanol, phosphate, potassium salt
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Glycerides, palm-oil mono-, di- and tri-, hydrogenated
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-(1-oxooctadecyl)-.omega.-hydroxy- (40 mol EO average molar ratio)
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Cellulose, 2-hydroxyethyl ether
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Potassium dihydrogenorthophosphate
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Ceramide NP,1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-Octadecanamide,Stearoyl-C18-Phytosphingosine,Stearoyl-4-Hydroxysphinganine
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,3,4-Octadecanetriol, 2-(2-Hydroxy) Stearamide
13th 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.
2-Propenoic acid, polymer with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol 2-propenyl ether
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
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**
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alcohols, C16-branched, ethoxylated (10 mol EO average molar ratio)
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Siloxanes and silicones, dimethyl, polymers with [(dimethylphenylsilyl)oxy]- and [(ethenyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-terminated dimethyl siloxanes
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2,2',2''-Nitrilotriethanol
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Alcohols, C16-18
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Docosyltrimethylammonium methyl sulphate
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Cichorium Intybus Root Extract is the extract of the roots of the Chicory, Cichorium intybus L., Asteraceae
22nd 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
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Retinol; vitamin A
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Silicon dioxide
25th 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
26th 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)-
27th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Phenoxyethanol
28th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
3,4-Dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-benzopyran-6-ol; .alpha.-tocopherol; Vitamin E
29th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ethanol
30th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Ethanone, 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-,p-Hydroxyacetophenone
31st 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
32nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is the hydrolysate of Hyaluronic Acid derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis
33rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
34th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
35th 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)-
36th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
37th 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.
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Shares 10 key ingredients with Skin Renewing Retinol Serum: Water, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP
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Shares 9 key ingredients with Skin Renewing Retinol Serum: Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride
Isntree
Shares 9 key ingredients with Skin Renewing Retinol Serum: Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Retinol
Eqqualberry
Shares 9 key ingredients with Skin Renewing Retinol Serum: Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride
Eqqualberry
Shares 8 key ingredients with Skin Renewing Retinol Serum: Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP
Eqqualberry
Shares 8 key ingredients with Skin Renewing Retinol Serum: Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Cetearyl Alcohol
WATER, GLYCERIN, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, POTASSIUM CETYL PHOSPHATE, HYDROGENATED PALM GLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 20, PEG-40 STEARATE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, NIACINAMIDE, ISOCETETH-10, DIMETHICONE/PHENYL VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, TRIETHANOLAMINE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, CICHORIUM INTYBUS ROOT EXTRACT, LECITHIN, RETINOL, SILICA, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, TOCOPHEROL, ALCOHOL, HYDROXYACETOPHENONE, CITRIC ACID, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, XANTHAN GUM, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, Butyrospermum Parkii, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN.
CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, NIACINAMIDE, RETINOL, CITRIC ACID, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID.
Apply Skin Renewing Retinol Serum in small dots where needed around your face. Gently smooth serum onto your skin until it’s thoroughly absorbed. Use PM only. Apply to the face after cleansing in the evening. It may take your skin some time to get used to retinol, so plan to slowly work your way up to daily use.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry), Combination (oily), Oily 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.
3 ingredients could feed malassezia: Polysorbate 20, Peg-40 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii. 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 Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer.
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 37 ingredients, of which 7 are recorded as actives.
CeraVe, a brand based in USA.
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