CeraVe

CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment.

Q: Is CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment worth it?

Yes. All 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 84%.

Q: What is CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment's Guru Score?

CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.

Q: Who is CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment best for?

CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment is generally suited to oily skin, combination skin and normal skin.

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Masks & Peels

About this product

A nightly exfoliating serum combining glycolic and lactic acids with niacinamide and licorice root, designed to improve skin texture, clarity, and the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Full ingredients

Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Benzoic Acid

Guru Score

84%

Yay

4 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

Glycolic and lactic acids in this serum work to smooth texture and fade dark spots and sun damage, making it a solid entry point for those new to chemical exfoliants. The formula hydrates well enough to use alone, though pairing it with a moisturizer helps, especially at first. One thing to keep in mind: if you're already using retinol, combining them may increase irritation, so that's worth easing into slowly.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take January 2026

What they liked

Soothes redness and fades dark spots over time

What they flagged

Can sting, especially around eyes and mouth

Best for

Oily skin Combination skinNormal skin

Type

Masks & PeelsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Hyaluronic acidAHACeramides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

✓Yay

"They have a great exfoliant, leave-on exfoliant that is wonderful for rough skin texture."

All 8 takes from Dr Dray

The Ultimate Anti-Aging Serum: OLAY VS CERAVE

"The CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment is a great product for improving dry rough skin texture, skin smoothness, clarity, improving the look of dark spots, fading some hyperpigmentation, soothing the skin, and moisturizing. It's a great moisturizing serum that can be used at night as the first step of your nighttime skincare routine underneath your moisturizer. It's moisturizing enough that you can use it by themselves, but you might find that you need a moisturizer."

Skincare Dupes At CVS Drugstore

"The Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment is excellent for if you're looking to introduce an alpha hydroxy acid into your routine. [...] It also has licorice root in it which is really good for redness and dark spots. Glycolic acid and lactic acid can improve the appearance of age spots as well as improve the look of sun damage. [...] If you're also using retinol, just be aware that using this and using retinol it's not prohibited but it can be more irritating."

Retinol, Eczema, Redness, A Dermatologist Answers It All

"They have a great exfoliant, leave-on exfoliant that is wonderful for rough skin texture."

BEST ANTI-AGING SKIN CARE OF 2022 🏆 Dermatologist @DrDrayzday

"I really like this, I find it to be a very versatile product in that it can help a variety of skin issues, namely in the realm of anti-aging. It [...] has glycolic acid and lactic acid, both alpha hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate, [...] and it also has ceramides and licorice root extract, which is helpful for redness and [...] hyperpigmentation."

HOW TO CLEAR KERATOSIS PILARIS ON THE FACE| DERMATOLOGIST @DrDrayzday

"This has lactic acid and glycolic acid at a total percentage of five percent, [...] in a very moisturizing base with hyaluronic acid and ceramides for the moisture barrier. I really like this product for KP on the face because the hydroxy acids get in there and tackle that rough buildup, while the other ingredients are moisturizing and help the skin barrier. It [...] also has licorice root extract, which [...] is anti-inflammatory [...] and helps with the redness that comes with KP."

WHY YOU SHOULD USE AHAs IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE | @DrDrayzday

"It's a great option for keratosis pilaris on the cheeks, overall rough texture, and sun spots, and it can help with [...] sebaceous filaments and blackheads too, though salicylic acid is better for those. [...] The reason I like this one so much is it doesn't sting, it's very gentle and mild. With ongoing use you'll appreciate some softening and smoothing, [...] your makeup goes on better, and the skin looks more radiant and glowy. [...] It's a very good beginner friendly product."

BUDGET FRIENDLY ANTI-AGING SKIN CARE: DERMATOLOGIST TOP PICKS @DrDrayzday

"This product has alpha hydroxy acids in it and will help smooth skin texture and plump up skin cells. It can be irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin, but it is also formulated with ceramides which can help with the skin barrier."

NEW CERAVE SKIN RENEWING NIGHTLY EXFOLIATING TREATMENT | Dr Dray

"I think it's a great product that can help improve skin texture, skin tone, and luminosity. It's great for people who have dry skin and keratosis pilaris, and for those [...] looking to fade discoloration and sunspots. When used consistently, this product can offer some real benefit, though you do need to be patient with it since you're not going to get results overnight. It's a very gentle exfoliant that you can use on a daily basis if tolerated, and that's the key - if tolerated."

Sincerely Miss Ash

195k subs

✓Yay

"I really like this. I feel like it's very hydrating, it feels very comfortable on the skin. I don't experience anything out of the ordinary, no irritation, no nothing. It pairs up nicely with other hydrating serums. It does have a little bit of a milky consistency, like a little bit thicker than a water-based serum, but you don't have to pair anything with this."

Dr. Jenny Liu

323k subs

✓Yay

"C's retinal are some of the most gentle ones I've used I have really sensitive neck I can't use any retinol products there this is why that I actually am able to use consistently"

All 2 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu

Anti-Aging & Prevention Dermatologist Guide | Skincare In Your 30s

"If you have sensitive skin and looking for something fairly affordable, the CeraVe Skin Renewing Serum is creamy and contains a five percent blend of glycolic and lactic acid that can help to hydrate the skin but also over time improve dullness, uneven skin tone, and appearance of fine lines. Because it's fragrance free and has a lower concentration of alpha hydroxy acid, I think it's more suitable for dry and sensitive skin."

Sensitive Skin routine for less then $100 from a dermatologist | Dr. Jenny Liu

"C's retinal are some of the most gentle ones I've used I have really sensitive neck I can't use any retinol products there this is why that I actually am able to use consistently"

Dr. Daniel Sugai

722k subs

✓Yay

"A lot of these you know 9 out of tens like Olay retinal 24 CeraVe resurfacing those are all nine out of tens"

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Ceramides

Ceramides are part of the skin's own barrier, and moisturisers built around them have evidence for holding water in and settling the tightness and flaking that come with a damaged barrier.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet