5 days ago
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum review, tried and tested
Retinol is my favourite skincare ingredient, hands down. For a while I ummed and ahhed about whether or not I should start using it as a 25-year-old, but then I saw this post, and realised my time is now.
While retinol is known as the 'gold standard' ingredient for fading discolouration, brightening, smoothing your complexion – basically just making your skin look hella good – the only caveat is that it's quite a potent ingredient, which can cause sensitivity and irritation when used incorrectly.
But luckily for those with sensitive skin, innovation has come a long way, meaning there are particular formulas that offer you the benefits of retinol without causing irritation. My fave for the job? CeraVe, obvs.
I used this creamy, hydrating serum for four weeks and saw results I never imagined would come from a budget formula. The biggest difference I noticed was how glowy and smooth my complexion looked. Dark spots started to fade and post-acne scarring (even the stubborn ones) lightened in colour. All for the £23 price tag? How can you argue with that when these are the results you get...
TBH, I've been loyal to a particularly popular serum for some time, but I was intrigued to discover how well an affordable player for £23 would stack up. When I first started using the CeraVe Resurface Retinol Serum, I was suffering from the consequences of an outbreak of hormonal acne on my chin. I had many stubborn, large acne scars across my face and in general, my skin lacked luminosity. Not to mention the size of my pores on my nose.
I started slow, as you should with any retinol, by using the serum three-four times in my routine and made sure I followed up with a hydrating moisturiser to prevent any dryness or possible irritation. CeraVe is widely loved in the industry for its fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested, and barrier-supporting formulas that all skin types agree with. But I still progressed with caution.
Yes, the bottle looks a bit clinical, but as with all CeraVe products it's about what's inside and not the lack of shelf appeal – what I found inside impressed me from the get-go.
It felt so lightweight and moisturising on my skin – almost enough to be a moisturiser – and it sank in within seconds. Because the formula is so silky, a few pumps was all I needed to cover my face. I then followed up with my usual PM evening routine (remember, always use retinol in the evening) and the rest of my skincare layered well on top of the serum.
After a few applications and literally experiencing *zero* redness, I upped the ante and decided to use it every day, which the brand actually says is okay to do from the get-go.
The serum is formulated with encapsulated retinol – an advanced way of delivering the active to your skin cells. Rather than just sitting on the surface of your skin, which is what's likely to cause irritation, the ingredient is encapsulated in a protective layer that delivers it into the deeper levels of your skin. It then slowly activates, which is a very gentle way to introduce the ingredient.
And, like all CeraVe products, it contains three forms of ceramides to keep your skin hydrated and conditioned. A slow-release delivery system, named MVE technology, is also used for the ceramides to ensure the lipids reach the deeper layers of your skin.
If you're new to retinol and want to begin your journey with a gentle yet effective formula, I couldn't recommend this enough. In only four weeks, I saw an improvement in how smooth and uniform my complexion looked; acne scars had faded and red blotches on my cheeks, nose and chin evened out.
While some stubborn acne scars still remained, I have zero doubt that if I continued using the serum for longer, they would eventually disappear. The level-up in glow was impressive, too. At the end of my trial, my skin looked much more radiant and healthy – thanks to the retinol, which resurfaces new skin cells and gives a brighter complexion.
All in all, I'd say this is an excellent serum for anyone looking to start their retinol journey. Whether you're looking to prevent acne, fade scarring or brighten your complexion, this will be £23 you won't regret spending. The before-and-after pics speak for themselves.
Shop the CeraVe Resurface Retinol Serum - £23
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer for Cosmopolitan and Women's Health, covering all things makeup, skincare and hair care, as well as deals events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day.
Clare has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, writing matter-of-fact reviews such as deep dives into skin concerns and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need. When she's not typing away, Clare is in front of the camera creating shopping content for Cosmo's TikTok Shop, testing the most viral beauty products to know.
Before working at Hearst UK, she received a BA degree in Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on the world of magazines and editorial. From there, she worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events like Fashion Week and interviewing reputable brand founders. Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling along London's Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or horseback riding in the countryside.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson
