Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Ingredients
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.
CeraVe's Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a gel-like serum that spreads easily and has a comfortable, soothing feel on the skin. It's not too thick, doesn't feel heavy, and is the kind of product that fits easily into a routine.
At first glance, the formula looks good. Niacinamide is high up on the ingredient list, alongside dimethicone, dipotassium glycyrrhizate and the expected combination of three ceramides (NP, AP and EOP). There's also cholesterol, hydrogenated lecithin and phytosphingosine, which contribute to the barrier-supporting side of the formula - all things CeraVe is known for (and expected to deliver).
However, even though retinol is the star of the marketing, the overall experience is much more that of a soothing, comforting barrier-repair serum - and nothing more. I didn't experience the degree of skin renewal that I associate with a retinol treatment. That doesn't mean the retinol isn't doing anything, but the results weren't noticeable, at least on my skin.
The only iffy ingredient is alcohol, but I also don't think it's a major concern in this formula. It's relatively low on the ingredient list, and I experienced no irritation, no tingling, no sensitivity - it's most likely there as a solvent, to help dissolve or incorporate ingredients into the formula.
For someone trying retinol for the first time, I think it could be a sensible option. The combination of retinol, niacinamide and barrier-supporting lipids makes it a good introduction, and I think anyone could start using it daily straight away.
For someone already accustomed to retinol, however, I think expectations need to be different. I'd approach this as a barrier-supporting serum that happens to contain retinol, rather than a dedicated retinol treatment. The formula is good, and the experience is pleasant, but I found the results underwhelming compared with stronger, more targeted retinol products.
That's why this gets a good rather than great rating from me. Not because it's a bad product — quite the opposite. I just find the marketing a little misleading about what the product actually delivers. If you're looking for a gentle introduction to retinol, it's worth considering. If you're looking for noticeable skin renewal, I'd look elsewhere.