CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum for combination skin
Encapsulated Retinol
Niacinamide
3 Essential Ceramides
Licorice Root Extract
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- This serum is highly suitable for your combination skin, as retinol and niacinamide work synergistically to regulate oil production and promote skin resurfacing, effectively addressing your oily shine and improving skin texture.
- The inclusion of ceramides and hydrogenated lecithin further supports your skin barrier and hydration, enhancing the overall efficacy for combination skin.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 4.6k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this serum is highly regarded as a gentle introduction to retinol, effectively smoothing skin texture and reducing the appearance of post-acne marks with minimal irritation. Many users observe a radiant complexion and diminished pores, though significant improvements in hyperpigmentation typically require consistent application over several weeks to months.
Highlights
Gentle and non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
- “no burning sensation”
- “didn't dry me out”
- “zero irritation experienced”
Fades acne marks Often Mentioned
- “lightened dark spots”
- “faded acne scars”
- “helped with hyperpigmentation”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “smoother complexion”
- “softens rough patches”
- “reduces pore visibility”
Affordable value Sometimes Noted
- “great price”
- “budget-friendly retinol”
- “good value for money”
Lightweight formula Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs instantly”
- “non-greasy finish”
- “lightweight gel texture”
Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “takes a few months”
- “slow progress”
- “not an overnight miracle”
Initial breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused small whiteheads”
- “skin purged initially”
- “broke me out first”
Initial dryness Rarely Noted
- “slight peeling”
- “dry patches around nose”
- “needs good moisturizer”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “can't see product amount”
- “hard to get last bit”
Too mild Rarely Noted
- “too weak”
- “didn't do enough”
- “need stronger percentage”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, walmart.com, cerave.com, influenster.com, cosmopolitan.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum a great fit for combination skin?
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum is a great fit because retinol and niacinamide help regulate oil and smooth texture, while ceramides and hydrogenated lecithin support your skin barrier and moisture. It is very unlikely to cause irritation due to its soothing ingredients and lack of harsh components.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2020
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Encapsulated retinol and niacinamide make this serum a great fit by balancing oily shine and smoothing out your texture. Ceramides and hydrogenated lecithin help keep your skin barrier strong and comfortable.
What does Encapsulated Retinol do for combination skin?
Encapsulated retinol helps smooth fine lines and even out skin tone while being gentle enough for combination skin. This ingredient improves skin firmness and boosts collagen, though an average or poor fit for this skin type may need added soothing hydrators and lightweight moisture to prevent dryness.
What does Niacinamide do for combination skin?
Niacinamide helps balance oily areas by reducing excess shine and pore size while keeping dry patches hydrated and smooth. It also works to calm redness and even out skin tone, making it very suitable for combination skin.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in your evening routine, as treatments with active ingredients are used at night for simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure. It is unlikely to cause irritation and helps improve skin texture and oily shine.
Can I use this serum with vitamin C, and in what order?
You can use this serum with vitamin C by applying vitamin C in the morning and this serum at night to avoid overwhelming your skin. Using them at separate times of day helps prevent potential irritation while still giving you the brightening and smoothing benefits of both ingredients.
How often should I use it?
Apply this treatment in the evening as part of your nighttime routine. You can start by using it once a week, and if your skin feels comfortable and looks good, you may carefully use it more often.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit for your combination skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause major breakouts. While a few shoppers report mild early breakouts, the formula uses gentle ingredients that help smooth your skin and control shiny areas safely.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2020International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017A facial cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP, and panthenol reduced mean SS-10 scores by 66% and 76% after 2 and 4 weeks in Chinese females with sensitive skin, providing effective soothing and barrier-repairing properties with mild adverse events.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Lecithin-based nanoemulsions showed superior viability in human skin cells compared to SDS-based formulations, with components remaining in superficial stratum corneum layers indicating low skin irritation risk.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2020Lecithin-based nanoemulsions result in significantly higher viability rates in human epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts compared to anionic and non-ionic surfactants, while showing intermediate skin permeation.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2019Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025
Ingredients
Water, 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
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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