CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

I started using this retinol serum a few months ago and I’m really happy with how gentle it feels on my skin. It’s super lightweight and absorbs fast, there is no heavy or greasy feel, which makes it easy to layer under moisturizer and sunscreen. What’s surprised me the most is how my skin tone seems more even and those annoying redness in my face is slowly fading. My skin also feels smoother and softer, and makeup glides on so much nicer now. I appreciate that it’s fragrance‑free and doesn’t clog my pores and a big plus for my sensitive, acne‑prone skin. If you want a serum that helps even out texture, fade marks, and doesn’t feel harsh, this one’s a great pick in my book. Totally worth the price!

Best kept secret! Excellent product, consistency and feel. Totally unexpected at this price point! Bought 2 in November for my daughter and I, couple of weeks later gave mine to my teenage son for his acne spots and just ordered 2 more tubes. LOVE IT. I may need to transition to Tret eventually, but this is a great warm up. I could feel results after 2 days...and overnight visual improvement of acne.

This picture is after a month of use. I’ve had hyperpigmentation for 10 years now from laying on the sun while on antibiotics when I was in my 20s - not smart. The dark spots are fading and significant lighter. Several of the spots and freckles have completely vanished. Now, for the large hyperpigmentation areas on both cheeks, I hope it continues to fade. Again, this pic is only after a month. Visible results in 1 month is amazing for a product under $30.00. This serum has retinol which can cause dry skin. I use a serum before I apply it and a moisturizing serum and moisturizer after to avoid drying out and flaking. It’s worked - my skin is not dry or flaking and has a glow. Super silky product and feels smooth on skin, it’s refreshing. No smell, and didn’t make my face red. It seems to absorb well, but I use a hairdryer in between each product u use to open my pores with the warm air and dries the product faster and absorbs quicker. It application, just like all serums. Very pleased and I am excited to see more results in a month from now. If you struggle with stubborn skin damage like me (mine is really bad) I know how freaking frustrating it is when you just want it gone! I thought my face would stay this dark and get darker for the rest of my life. I have a little bit of hope now that it will mostly go away one day if I keep following a skin routine. I have never strictly followed a skin care routine. Now I religiously have for a month and I’m already seeing lightening. You are beautiful. ❤️ Best of luck on your skin care journey!

I don’t use this as often as I originally planned, but I do plan on using it more. However, the times I have used it, I do see some change within the acne scars I do have. They have slightly faded and look better than how they used to. I love how it makes my skin feel smooth after using it, it doesn’t leave you feeling greasy or sticky. It has a very subtle scent that is nice.

I can never say enough about the quality of CeraVe products. The pump is nice - it never clogs and one pump is the perfect amount for full fence coverage. It’s a smooth creamy texture and runs in very well and quickly, but doesn’t dry so quickly that you can’t cover all of your skin. It’s a light weight product so you don’t feel greasy or sticky after use. It doesn’t have any SPF, but it does work really well to restore your skin barrier. The retinol works. I had terrible acne as a teenager and it’s helped reduce the size of my pores as well as reduce the visibility of scars. I even use it on stretch marks. CeraVe products aren’t cheap, but they work super well. I’m happy to pay the cost to see the results I do.

I was afraid I would have a reaction to the retinol serum like i did when I purchased another brand but it has not bothered me. It seems to be doing a good job and I am very satisfied with it. It does a good job cleaning off my makeup and does not leave my face so dry. Does not take much to get all the make up off either. Easy to use and I am careful to not rub my face very hard and I am happy with this purchase. So much cheaper than other high end brands that do the same thing, Why pay more? You will love it is not so watery too.

Updated review: People of EVERY age need this product! I've officially been using it for three months, and not only did it literally erase the freckles off of my face, but I no longer have the deep 11 lines between my eyes anymore. Not to mention that when I started using this product, I had terrible breakouts of acne in my T-zone due to hormonal changes related to peri-menopause and for at least the last month, I have not had a single pimple or blackhead anywhere on my face despite having made no changes to my diet, activity level, medications, etc. Acne was the reason I started using it, but getting rid of wrinkles is an absolutely acceptable side effect! All that said, I did have a long purge period (about 6 weeks), where I had to use blotting papers every couple of hours due to shine, and my breakouts were worse in the first couple of weeks of use. When I first reviewed it, the breakouts hadn't started yet. I didn't know what I was in for. I would wager it's not suitable to those who are sensitive to retinol. But, if you're willing to tough it out, you WILL be rewarded with smooth, acne-free, less wrinkled, even-toned skin. While it is heavy duty stuff, the formulation is not painful and does not burn or aggravate on contact. It's actually kinda silky. It isn't sticky or oily at all, and soaks in fairly quickly. I would highly suggest an oil-free moisturizer though, because as I said, the purging of oils is fairly extreme, but you need to moisturize or you'll have dry spots/textured areas and redness. I would also suggest washing your face twice a day - when you wake up and before bed. Also, try to avoid getting it in the under eye area, because it's probably too harsh for that area (though I have accidently got it there and nothing happened, but the skin in that area is likely too sensitive for something this strong being frequently applied). No exaggeration, the skin on my face is so smooth that after my routine, I have to use setting powder on my forehead because it is SO shiny! It's not oil, though; it's just that smooth. I also no longer have freckles on my face. If you can handle acne issues getting worse before they get better and you stick with it, you won't be sorry. My skin looks better than it has since before puberty, and I'm almost 42. This serum is definitely under-rated considering its price and effectiveness. Everyone needs to know about this stuff!! Don't forget the foaming acne face wash, and I would also recommend a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment for those early weeks, but definitely not absolutely necessary, because I no longer need one. It will eventually improve just by using this product. Unless you already have perfect skin, you definitely need this serum! Original review: I paired this with the Cerave foaming acne cleanser. I have very oily skin - especially since peri-menopause has kicked in, and just washing my face twice daily isn't enough to keep it smooth and clean...until now. These two products used together are my new twice daily ritual. I could probably even get away with just using them once a day, and may do that if they become drying or irritating, but so far, after three days, this has been the perfect combination for my face. Now, if I can only find an under eye serum, my entire facial routine will be all set. lol

I gave this 3 stars because I still believe it's likely a good quality product. However, for me, the 2 stars I deducted are because it broke me out. A lot. I followed the suggestions on not using it too frequently to start, especially since it did immediately give me one, then 2 acne bumps. I tried it 3-4 times over the course of a couple of weeks with several days between each application, but ultimately ended up with at least 5 very red, very visible pimples -- one on my right cheek, left cheek, chin, upper lip, and between my eyebrows. Now, how do you hide that? And they came after I stopped using it. On another note, I read more on it and found that it can happen because of a "purge" type effect, but (a) when is a good time for multiple, big pimples, and (b) when I get them, they aren't simple. They fester and are angry, and they don't just calm down and go away. They're problematic for weeks. For reference, I have had off and on issues with adult acne over the years, but I figured out what bothers my skin and haven't had pimple issues for about a year now, so I know it's this and possibly this along with another CeraVe product I tried -- PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. (I'll note here that I got a couple of other items but didn't apply them to these areas, so I'm pretty sure it's not those. Those others include CeraVe Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream and Renewing Eye Cream for Wrinkles.) I've used the PM Lotion before and had an occasional breakout, but wasn't sure if it was that or other acne issues I had during that time. However, I can say with almost certainty that this Serum is a or the reason for my current breakouts. I've attached 6 pictures to show the breakouts/pimples I have that are still healing over a week after discontinuing use so you'll get an idea and see that these aren't typical acne, breakout-area bumps but instead, are in spots you don't usually get individual, stand-alone bumps. No makeup, of course. Vulnerable and full face disclosure, so no gasps! lol If you want to try this, definitely do only one area for a week or so to see how you'll react, rather than risk acne all over your face. Perhaps try your forehead only, or your chin only, etc. I really wish it didn't affect me like it did. I don't have super-sensitive skin; only somewhat sensitive skin, with only a few products. So take that into account when you consider this product for yourself. I really wanted to embrace this one because with my aging skin, I would love to find a product that can help smooth things out. If this review helps you, please go ahead and give it a like! God bless and have a great day. We're all beautiful in our own way -- lotions, potions, or no-tions. ;)