CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
by CeraVe · skin_care
Editor's Take
Retinol and Niacinamide at active levels, wrapped in a ceramide-cholesterol barrier base , this punches above the drugstore aisle it sits in.
Four-pillar formula scores
- Efficacy: 8.4 / 10
- Modern Tech: 7.2 / 10
- Clean Beauty: 5.2 / 10
- Sustainability: 4.8 / 10
The Verdict
This is a highly credible resurfacing formula, scoring 8.4 for efficacy by pairing encapsulated Retinol with Niacinamide and a full ceramide-cholesterol-phytosphingosine lipid system. The technology is modern (7.2) , the quick-breaking polymer base and biomimetic barrier formula deliver Vitamin A without the typical irritation. Clean (5.2) and sustainability (4.8) scores reflect the conventional synthetic base: Dimethicone at position 3, synthetic polymers for texture, ethoxylated surfactants. Worth it if you want proven resurfacing actives in a barrier-supportive system and can live with the silicone base; skip it if clean ingredient standards matter more than the efficacy spread.
Full INCI list
Aqua/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