Shelf Pure
An unlabeled frosted bottle on a nightstand in lamplight with an eye mask and a glass of water, generated illustration
First retinol · #19 skin Generated scene, not a product photo
CeraVe · Skin · Retinol and retinal

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Encapsulated retinol with niacinamide and ceramides, for night use. Some reviewers call it a gentle first retinol, but the strength is not on the label.

1 ozSerumRetinolNiacinamideCeramidesFragrance-free
$21.99 MSRPAmazon price not shown
Check price on Amazon →

Amazon link · we earn a commission if you buy · $21.99 MSRP · Amazon price not shown · verified Nov 1, 2026. More stores appear here as each affiliate program approves the site.

Buy it if

  • You have never used retinol
  • You want to soften the look of leftover marks and pores, as the maker says it helps do
  • You want no added fragrance

Walk past if

  • You already use a prescription retinoid
  • You want to know the exact strength; the maker does not list it
  • Your skin reddens easily; some owners stop within days

What's in it

The ingredients that do the work, from the maker’s label.

RetinolNiacinamideCeramidescontains alcohol

Niacinamide guide →Ceramides guide →Retinol and retinal guide →Sulfate-free →Fragrance-free →

Worth knowing: contains alcohol.

Full ingredient list, from the maker

AQUA/WATER/EAU, 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

Where it goes in a routine

Night for dry skin
1 CleanseCeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
2 TreatThis one
3 MoisturizeCeraVe Moisturizing Cream
4 SealAquaphor Healing Ointment

Known issue

The bottle does not state the retinol strength, which owners complain about, and some report redness, peeling or burning within days.Walmart and MakeupAlley reviews

What owners say

Filled by the research pass: two or three owner reports from named venues, each linked, each with the date it was read.

If it's not right

The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion$14.90 MSRPRetinal in a yellow night emulsion, the maker's strongest retinoid and meant for experienced users. Owners' biggest gripe is the color it leaves on their face and pillowcases.CeraVe Moisturizing CreamNo maker list price for this sizeThree ceramides, cholesterol, hyaluronic acid and petrolatum in a thick cream for face and body. The plain standard for dry skin, developed with dermatologists according to the maker.

Sources

  1. Maker page: ingredient list, 1 oz list price, PM use, added fragrance and paraben statements.
  2. Walmart reviews, 1 fl oz: redness and irritation within days, peeling and burning, and a complaint that no retinol percentage is listed.
  3. MakeupAlley reviews, only two: both favorable, with one calling it a gentle starter and one wishing the percentage were disclosed.

Ingredient lists from the maker's label, not our measurements.