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CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
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Retinoids
#14 in RetinoidsSee the ranking →
About this product

A retinol serum from CeraVe that combines encapsulated retinol with licorice root extract and niacinamide, designed to help refine skin texture and even the look of skin tone.

More from CeraVe 53 products · Guru Score 91% →

Guru Score

83%

Yay

8 experts · Strong agreement

What the gurus are saying

Encapsulated retinol that releases slowly is what these experts keep returning to, and it makes the formula less irritating. Licorice root and niacinamide target dark spots, post-acne marks and uneven tone. Newcomers to retinoids may want to ease in slowly, since too much too fast can cause redness and dryness, though those already experienced with retinol may prefer something stronger.
Synthesized from 8 expert reviews · most recent take October 2026

What they liked

  • Affordable for a retinol serum
  • Gentle encapsulated retinol
  • Helps with post-acne redness and hyperpigmentation

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    Type

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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.

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    Dr. Daniel Sugai
    Dr. Daniel Sugai
    722k subs
    ✓Yay
    "CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a nice over-the-counter option combining retinol and retinaldehyde, which is much more unstable and can be hard to formulate, but CeraVe has done a good job with it."
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    "I had steered patients towards this direction if you have dark spots, melasma, and you want to gently work on those dark spots with a retinol. [...] This one actually is targeting dark spots more effectively with niacinamide, but also licorice root extract. I like the texture of it. [...] This blue one is still one of my favorites. And of course, you get the three essential ceramides in all CeraVe products, which is an essential component of your skin barrier, helps repair the skin barrier."
    Dermatologist Explains: How to Treat Neck Wrinkles and Tech Lines
    "CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum has licorice root extract, so if you have hyperpigmentation on your neck that's something you can consider. The retinol is preserved in these biodegradable capsules."
    The Ultimate CeraVe Anti-Aging Skincare Routine- Dermatologist Reviews
    "CeraVe makes two different retinols that are very popular, [...] and I have to say that I like the Resurfacing Retinol Serum more than the Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. The Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is good, it has hyaluronic acid and encapsulated retinol, but I like the licorice root extract in the Resurfacing, and it also has niacinamide, so just having those brightening ingredients is a nice touch. I feel like the texture is better on my skin with this one, so I use this one more often."
    MY THREE BEST SKINCARE TIPS as a Dermatologist
    "I also like CeraVe's Resurfacing Retinol Serum. I like that more than the renewal, the skin renewing purple one. The blue resurfacing retinol has licorice root extract which is nice in helping with hyperpigmentation and that one's quite affordable. You can find it at Target, your local drugstore, online."
    If I Wanted Better Skin, This Is Exactly What I’d Do
    "You can do CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if you have hyperpigmentation because it has licorice root extract and niacinamide."
    Dermatologist Reviews Affordable Retinols: The Best Options For Your Skin!
    "I like this more than their skin renewing purple serum. I like the texture more in this. If you have hyperpigmentation, go for this because it has licorice root extract and niacinamide, both of those ingredients are great at brightening your skin and reducing dark spots. I feel like this is a great start to the world of retinol. I like this one over the purple."
    Dermatologist Explains: THREE Tips to Optimize Your Bedtime Skincare Routine!
    "CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is one I like a lot. It feels nice and elegant, rubs in really well, and doesn't irritate my face. I was starting off on tretinoin, which I know is a little rough because I'd get dry and irritated in the winter time in Boston where it gets really cold, and it was nice to have CeraVe's retinol all during the winter and I could alternate, like one day tretinoin, other day CeraVe."
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    "I like the Resurfacing Retinol Serum a lot. It has licorice root extract as well as niacinamide, and niacinamide is a jack of all trades that works on sebum but also helps brighten the skin. The licorice root extract in this is good if you have hyperpigmentation because that also works on decreasing melanin production and it helps with brightening your skin. This is a nice lightweight serum, you only need a little bit, a pea-size amount."
    Unlocking The Secrets Of Layering Skincare Serums: Dermatologist's Layering Serums 101 Guide
    "I like it mixed in with my retinol, say the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, that retinol serum is great and it has licorice root extract as well as niacinamide to help brighten the skin."
    Dermatologist Explains: Which is the Best Retinol for You!
    "They've done a great job with the retinol. CeraVe is a nice gentle option, good if you have some hyperpigmentation and you want to help with those dark spots and the fine lines and wrinkles, in your mid-20s and up. It's got licorice root extract, you've got niacinamide in this, very affordable for the youngins. You can check these out at your local store."
    Dermatologist Reviews: Holiday Skincare Picks for All Ages 2023
    "I also like CeraVe resurfacing retinol in the blue uh pump that one's a nice one but they don't disclose how much retinol is in that one"
    If Your Skin Looks Dull, Do This Drugstore Routine
    "CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum has licorice root extract that's soothing but also works on dark spots as well as niacinamide too. So those are great brightening retinoids to consider."
    Cut or Keep: The Secrets to Fixing Your Dark Spots
    "CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a nice over-the-counter option combining retinol and retinaldehyde, which is much more unstable and can be hard to formulate, but CeraVe has done a good job with it."
    No BS Beauty
    No BS Beauty
    89k subs
    ✓Yay
    "The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is $17. The star of the show is the encapsulated retinol they use. It also contains niacinamide, licorice root, and ceramides, which are in everything CeraVe does. It reduces the appearance of post-acne marks and pores, and three essential ceramides help the skin barrier and improve skin smoothness. It's really affordable, and this is one of the good ones, especially if you have acne-prone skin."
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    "This stuff is really wonderful and really affordable. If you're an experienced retinol user, I would probably recommend something stronger, but if you're newer to retinoids or looking for help with dark spots and things like that, this is a great two-in-one type serum."
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    "There's a lot of great retinoids out there, and you don't need to break your bank to have a good retinol in your routine. [...] None of them have a scent, so they're all great for sensitive skin types. Be sure to work it into your skin and acclimate it slowly. You don't want to start out with too much retinoid, too strong, too fast, because your skin won't be happy. It can become red, irritated, flaky, and dry, and you don't want that."
    Oldies but Goodies - Skincare Products That Stand the Test of Time!
    "The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is really nice. They have a couple different retinol products and this one is my favorite, especially if you suffer from hyperpigmentation issues. It can help with brightening skin up, and the retinoids in here are great for anti-aging as well. I have two different retinoid products and this is my favorite of the two."
    Best Drugstore Anti-Aging Skincare Products 💪 Affordable Ways to Fight Wrinkles 🙌 Anti Aging Week
    "The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is $17. The star of the show is the encapsulated retinol they use. It also contains niacinamide, licorice root, and ceramides, which are in everything CeraVe does. It reduces the appearance of post-acne marks and pores, and three essential ceramides help the skin barrier and improve skin smoothness. It's really affordable, and this is one of the good ones, especially if you have acne-prone skin."
    208SkinDoc
    208SkinDoc
    2.10M subs
    ✓Yay
    "You can also try the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, which is available at a much lower price than the luxury retinol creams. When it comes to retinol, you do not need to pay luxury prices."
    Dr Dray
    Dr Dray
    2.69M subs
    ✓Yay
    "The Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a great retinol that has licorice root and niacinamide. Both of those are going to be good for dark spots and redness. And then the retinol is also going to be helpful for post acne marks like dark marks and red marks. And then it's got ceramides in there which are good for the moisture barrier."
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    "CeraVe is a L'Oreal company, and they have a lot of R&D behind their retinols. I've always recommended this retinol for someone who has breakout-prone skin, because it can help improve skin complexion. It also can help with post-acne redness and post-acne hyperpigmentation. This particular retinol formulation also has licorice and niacinamide, and both of those are going to be beneficial for post-acne redness as well as post-acne hyperpigmentation."
    *BEST* Skincare For Scars: Dermatologist's Picks
    "This particular product is inspired by CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. It has licorice root and niacinamide. Licorice root is helpful for redness, and the niacinamide is also helpful for both redness and hyperpigmentation. So this can be really helpful for overlying surface changes and possibly subtly soften the appearance of depressed scars."
    Dermatologist Shops Walmart Skincare… What’s Actually Worth It?
    "The Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a great retinol that has licorice root and niacinamide. Both of those are going to be good for dark spots and redness. And then the retinol is also going to be helpful for post acne marks like dark marks and red marks. And then it's got ceramides in there which are good for the moisture barrier."
    *NEW* SHOP WITH ME FOR DRUGSTORE SKINCARE 🛍 @DrDrayzday
    "The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is one of my favorites because it's got not only a good retinol in it, but it also has licorice root compounds and niacinamide, both of which are going to be helpful for post acne redness and post acne hyperpigmentation."
    Retinol for beginners | DERMATOLOGIST TIPS @DrDrayzday
    "I'm also a big fan of this CeraVe regenerating retinol serum. That formula has niacinamide and licorice root, both of which can help with redness and hyperpigmentation, and they also help soothe the barrier, so they kind of address any potential issues around dryness and peeling that might occur. Those ingredients help support barrier function, so I like that product for those reasons."
    Dr. Jenny Liu
    Dr. Jenny Liu
    323k subs
    ✓Yay
    "CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is great if you don't struggle with acne anymore and are mostly concerned with pore congestion and post acne marks. This can be very helpful. It helps to improve the concerns of skin texture and skin tone but is also lightweight and fast absorbing."
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    "CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is great if you don't struggle with acne anymore and are mostly concerned with pore congestion and post acne marks. This can be very helpful. It helps to improve the concerns of skin texture and skin tone but is also lightweight and fast absorbing."
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    "First of all, why I love this one: it's just a great retinol all around. It's super gentle. It's got wonderful ingredients that can help to target uneven skin texture and skin tone. So even though it's really marketed for those with acne marks, you can certainly use it if you have uneven skin tone, uneven skin texture from sun damage. It contains encapsulated retinol, that means it's more stable and less irritating. Also contains niacinamide, which works well with your retinol."
    Lightening & Preventing DARK UNDERARMS | Dr. Jenny Liu
    "Retinol can be helpful, especially when it's formulated in a gentle way with other brightening ingredients. One of the most gentle ones I've talked about many times is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum, the one in that teal white bottle. It contains encapsulated retinol that's gentle but yet effective, as well as a liquid shoot that we now have, anti-inflammatory as well as brightening properties. So that's certainly something you can use on a nightly basis if tolerated."
    HotandFlashy
    HotandFlashy
    1.23M subs
    ✓Yay
    "Another company I really love is CeraVe, their Resurfacing Retinol Serum. This is a really good one and contains encapsulated retinol. If you're really concerned about irritation, I would go with this one because it's encapsulated, so it's going to do more of a timed release and release the retinol slower so you would have less of a reaction to it."
    Dr. Aleksandra Brown
    Dr. Aleksandra Brown
    151k subs
    ✓Yay
    "The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the one I would choose for someone who's younger and acne prone, primarily concerned about post-acne marks, uneven tone, and texture. It has niacinamide fairly high on the ingredient list and also contains dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a licorice-derived ingredient, which makes sense for [...] someone who has their acne under better control but is left with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. [...] I think it's a really reasonable first retinol."
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    "The encapsulated retinol works to gradually fade pigmentation and refine texture, and there's also licorice root extract that adds that extra brightening support on top of that. Ceramides and niacinamide in here keep the skin barrier strong throughout, which matters a lot when you're actively treating pigmentation because compromised barrier can actually make your discoloration worse. For everyday use and an unbeatable price point, this is a really smart pick."
    I Ranked 19 CeraVe Products as a Dermatologist (Best to Worst + The Lawsuit)
    "The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is the one I would choose for someone who's younger and acne prone, primarily concerned about post-acne marks, uneven tone, and texture. It has niacinamide fairly high on the ingredient list and also contains dipotassium glycyrrhizate, a licorice-derived ingredient, which makes sense for [...] someone who has their acne under better control but is left with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. [...] I think it's a really reasonable first retinol."
    Doctorly
    Doctorly
    3.59M subs
    ✓Yay
    "The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol is a very good starter retinol."
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    "I like it because we're talking about mostly maintaining and preventing photo aging and this is very budget friendly. It also has multiple ingredients so it has your retinol, your jack of all trades niacinamide, and then licorice for the third component, and then like all CeraVe products it has ceramides in it as well. I think it delivers as a very comprehensive retinol product."
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    "Something like the CeraVe Resurfacing [...] Retinol, they pioneered retinol so they are the OGs in that category, but using a retinol is going to do a lot of the work that we described, so I do think it's foundational to your nighttime skincare routine if you're trying to minimize the appearance of the pores."
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    "The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol is a very good starter retinol."
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    "A good starter for people is the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol. It's a good combination of retinol and licorice root. It's going to help with brightening, and it's also going to help with texture. It's just a good product for your skin to get acclimated, and then once you start there you can expand your horizons to maybe something that's a bit more efficacious."
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    "The CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol is a great product because it uses an encapsulated form of retinol which slowly releases itself throughout the day and that makes it much more tolerable, and then it's supported by other ingredients which help to calm the skin. [...] It has licorice and niacinamide, both great complementing actives that help with hyperpigmentation and acne, and the niacinamide pretty much does a little bit of everything including collagen growth."
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    "You can follow the cleanser with a gentle retinol like CeraVe resurfacing retinol or prescription tretinoin, and it's going to get that job done."
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    "A good option here is the CeraVe resurfacing retinol. You're not going to get the same efficacy that you would get from a tretinoin for example."

    Frequently asked.

    What is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum?

    A retinol serum from CeraVe that combines encapsulated retinol with licorice root extract and niacinamide, designed to help refine skin texture and even the look of skin tone.

    Is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum worth it?

    Yes. All 8 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 83%.

    What is CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum's Guru Score?

    CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum holds a Guru Score of 83%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 8 expert reviewers we have collected.

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