CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
Works for
Anti-agingRetinol, Tocopherol + 2 moreWorks well
“Ideal for all skin types, the non-comedogenic formula reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as it improves the skin’s texture and radiance.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
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.
MoisturizingCeramide np, Ceramide ap + 14 moreWorks well
“Enhanced with moisture-rich hyaluronic acid, soothing niacinamide and three essential ceramides that restore the skin barrier and help retain hydration, this retinol serum also features patented time-release MVE Delivery Technology for around-the-clock nourishment.”
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:
glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cholesterol.
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, phytosphingosine
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Retinol, NiacinamideWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
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.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Retinol, Phytosphingosine + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Retinol, Butyrospermum parkii butter + 1 moreWorks well
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinol, AlcoholMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
4 of 4 community members would buy it again.
This product has aided me in healing my hyper-pigmentation.
Super gentle retinol with minimal irritation so it can safely be used every day, even while using other irritating products. All the benefits of retinol with very little risk.
If you catch a cystic painful inflamed zit forming and put a ton of this on it can combat it overnight but it doesn’t target later stage zits / red marks from acne quite as well… can be a little drying but not the most drying retinol product at all..
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.4–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~4.2–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglyceridePotassium cetyl phosphate~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateHydrogenated palm glycerides~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glyceridesPolysorbate 20~1.9–2.3%
Peg-40 stearate~1.6–2%
Cyclopentasiloxane~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneHydroxyethylcellulose~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcellulosePotassium phosphate~0.95–1.15%
Ceramide np~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Ceramide npCeramide ap~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Ceramide apCeramide eop~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Ceramide eopCarbomer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerNiacinamide~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about NiacinamideIsoceteth-10~0.45–0.65%
Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerTriethanolamine~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineCetearyl alcohol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholBehentrimonium methosulfate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Behentrimonium methosulfateCichorium intybus root extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinRetinol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
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
More about RetinolSilica~0.35–0.65%
Sodium lauroyl lactylate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateCholesterol~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolPhenoxyethanol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTocopherol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolAlcohol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholHydroxyacetophenone~0.2–0.4%
Citric acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidPentylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolXanthan gum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhytosphingosine~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
More about PhytosphingosineButyrospermum parkii butter~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
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/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 butter, Ethylhexylglycerin
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| CeraVeSkin Renewing Retinol SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Ella BachéRetinol Night Treatment Serum | ISNTREEHyper Retinol EX 1.0 Serum | Drunk ElephantA-Passioni Retinol Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 86% | 84% | 79% |
| Price | $20.44 | $109.55+$89.11 | $13.97−$6.47 | $49.37+$28.93 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 13 | 10 of 13 | 7 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Rodan + Fields REVERSE Tone Correcting Treatmentinnisfree Gentle Retinol + Salicylic Acid Acne Serum for Blemishes + Post-Acne Scars
Product summary
"CeraVe - Skin Renewing Retinol Serum" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish, Moisturizing and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 0.20% - 0.35%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- Ceramides (phytosphingosine 0.20% - 0.35%, ceramide 6 ii 0.20% - 0.35%, ceramide 3 0.20% - 0.35% and ceramide 1 0.10% - 0.20%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- Humectants (hyaluronic acid 0.20% - 0.35% and glycerin 4.40% - 5.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
Price
The product retails for 41.95A$ in Australia, from 15.48$ up to 22.99$ in the United States and for 17.99£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
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