Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Exfoliation
- Evens skin tone
- Anti-blemish
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Key actives
Product Summary
"CeraVe - Retinol Face Serum For Post-Acne Marks" is effective for: Moisturizing, Exfoliation, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.30% - 2.90%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 0.35% - 0.65%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- Ceramides (phytosphingosine 0.15% - 0.30%, ceramide np 1.00% - 1.30%, ceramide eop 0.65% - 0.95% and ceramide ap 0.70% - 1.05%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate in this product (1.60% - 2.00%) can also further help improve the skin barrier. It might be able to calm down inflammation and reduce sensitivity. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is an active compound from the licorice root.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.35% - 0.60% and dipotassium glycyrrhizate 1.60% - 2.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
What our users say
Based on 4 reviews 100% recommend this product- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
- When it comes to comedogenicity, all of the reviewers (4) say that it does not clog pores.
Price
The product retails for 41.13A$ in Australia, from 14.51$ up to 19.99$ in the United States and from 13.00£ up to 19.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Benefits Formulated with encapsulated retinol to refine skin texture and improve smoothness Helps skin look brighter, smoother and more even-toned Reduces the appearance of post-acne marks and visible pores Helps restore the skin's protective barrier with ceramides Provides soothing benefits with niacinamide Lightweight and fast-absorbing Non-comedogenic Developed with dermatologists Key Ingredients Encapsulated retinol helps resurface skin texture and minimize the look of visible pores Licorice root extract is known to help brighten the appearance of skin Ceramides help restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier Niacinamide helps calm the skin MVE Technology, a patented delivery system, continually releases moisturizing ingredients Formulated Without Fragrance Parabens
Source: Ulta
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol, niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Retinol Face Serum For Post-Acne Marks
Source: From product name
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, retinol. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Retinol Face Serum For Post-Acne Marks
Source: From product name
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
In addition, this product contains niacinamide. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: dipotassium glycyrrhizate.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Suitable for blemish-prone skin, Cera Ve's Resurfacing Retinol Serum with Ceramides and Niacinamide is formulated to exfoliate, brighten and smooth the appearance of the complexion.
Source: Lookfantastic
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol.
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
It helps to restore the protective barrier of the skin and improves the skin texture.Its formula associates Encapsulated Retinol that helps to smooth the skin texture, exfoliated and accelerates the cell renewal without irritating.Licorice root extract that brightens, smoothes skin texture and reduces signs of hyperpigmentation.Niacinamide which gently soothes the skin, helps reduce feelings of irritation and reduces redness.Hyaluronic acid that helps maintain hydration.3 essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) that help restore the skin barrier.MVE Technology, a patented technology that continuously releases hydrating ingredients all day.Its gel-cream texture rapidly penetrates in the skin for a non-oily and non-sticky finish on the skin.Hypoallergenic. Non comedogenic. Fragrance free.Made in France.
Source: Cocoon Center
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
dipotassium glycyrrhizate, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide np, niacinamide, phytosphingosine
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
An emollient that helps soften the skin
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Exfoliation | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
User reviews (13)
Averages from community submissions.
How well does it work against blemishes?
How well does it work for evening out skin tone?
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How well does it work for moisturization?
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 CeraVe Retinol Face Serum For Post-Acne Marks | Current | $15.20 | |
 ISNTREE Buy Isntree Hyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum in Australia - Korean Skin Care and Cosmetics | 86% | $23.50 | |
 innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule Mini | 76% | $20.80 | |
 PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum | 75% | $-1.00 | |
 Beauty Pie Youthbomb Double-retinol Action Skin Overhaul Serum | 75% | $44.00 | |
 colibri skincare Vitamin A Serum | 73% | $29.95 |
Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
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
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Niacinamide - mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology
- Gehring, W. (2004). Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3(2), 88–93. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
- Safety Assessment of Acryloyldimethyltaurate Polymers as Used in Cosmetics
- Ameliorating effect of dipotassium glycyrrhizinate on an IL-4- and IL-13-induced atopic dermatitis-like skin-equivalent model
- Final report on the safety assessment of Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Potassium Glycyrrhetinate, Disodium Succinoyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glyceryl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhetinyl Stearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium Glycyrrhizate, Trisodium Glycyrrhizate, Methyl Glycyrrhizate, and Potassium Glycyrrhizinate.
- Skin hydration is significantly increased by a cream formulated to mimic the skin’s own natural moisturizing systems
- Topically Applied Ceramides Interact with the Stratum Corneum Lipid Matrix in Compromised Ex Vivo Skin
- Topical emulsions containing ceramides: Effects on the skin barrier function and anti‐inflammatory properties
- Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety
- Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)
- A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care