Product Reviews Rated 4.32 out of 5 stars
93 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review Would forever purchase this I love this. I had some stubborn acne scars from popping some pimples and most of them faded away within a week. I had milia and it really helped smooth out my skin. I've used exfoliating pads and it didn't work as well. I use this only at night. I guess you can use it during the day as well but I started using my Vitamin C serum for the morning instead. If your skin is on the dryer side, you can apply the serum after your moisturizer. Really surprised that it worked so well for the price. I've been trying higher end moisturizers that break me out and it's been really helping with expediting the healing process. Trust this brand.
Most Helpful Critical Review Purging or irritation? Bad experience either way. I used retinol before but didn't stay consistent because the product was so expensive($80/bottle). I decided to add it back into my routine to help with texture and found this super budget friendly Cerave retinol.
I purged like crazy!!! I had never experienced so many consistent breakouts around my chin/cheeks. And it lasted for weeeeeeeks. I know this can be typical with retinols, so I wanted to wait it out. Initially, I thought I was using it too much, so I went from wearing it nightly to 1-2 times a week. I'd notice in between the days of not wearing it at night, my super irritated skin started to calm down, and then the morning after using it, my skin would flare again. At week 6, I got frustrated and stopped using it all together.
I know lots of folk rave about this, but unfortunately it didn't play nice with my skin.
Reviewed by 93 customers Definitely a skin care regimen keeper! 5
Lex from North Carolina
I bought this a couple of weeks ago because I have been having major breakouts, and it has been helping with the dark spots and marks that have been left behind. I have sensitive skin and didn't have any sensitivities to it, which was great.
Would forever purchase this 5
Susanna from Pittsburgh
I love this. I had some stubborn acne scars from popping some pimples and most of them faded away within a week. I had milia and it really helped smooth out my skin. I've used exfoliating pads and it didn't work as well. I use this only at night. I guess you can use it during the day as well but I started using my Vitamin C serum for the morning instead. If your skin is on the dryer side, you can apply the serum after your moisturizer. Really surprised that it worked so well for the price. I've been trying higher end moisturizers that break me out and it's been really helping with expediting the healing process. Trust this brand.
Love it! 5
Laume from Oxford, MA
I started getting maskne at 50 something which left me with a couple of acne scars. This is eliminating them!
Best Product I've Ever Used 5
Emily from Michigan
My skin has been getting clearer and clearer everyday. It is helping to reduce old acne marks, is helping to keep my skin clear, and smooth. I saw results the next morning after I applied it. My skin was noticeably smoother and every morning my skin looks better.
Fades spots overnight! 5
CDB from PA
If you are using retinol make sure you have a good moisturizing regime a week before use to prevent irritation, flaking and peeling. I used this once and the next morning my post-acne marks that I've had for years we're noticeably lighter. This did not irritate my sensitive, cystic acne-prone skin either!
I can't tell if it's done anything 4
First time trying from Arizona
I'm 30, oily skin, fine lines, dark spots. I used this product for a month+ but I really can't tell if it's done anything. I like that it can be used as a moisturizer. I'd use this product in my travel bag as a two in one.
love Cereve products and this serum is nice 5
Shelly from charlotte nc
can't go wrong with Cereve. great price right now
It's a no 2
Bri from Corunna mi
For me this broke me out even MORE. It's a no for me
Changed my life! 5
Maddie from Minnesota
I have struggled with controlling my acne for years and have never found anything to work consistently. Along with using the CeraVe cleaner this serum has completely cleared up my face. My acne has always been smaller red dots and those are now gone after a little over a months use. It has taken away ance scars and blemishes. I have oily skin and it has helped that too. My skin hasn't been this clear in years, this product is life changing!
Greatly helped with acne 5
AKT from Chicago
This stuff is amazing! I've been using it for the past year or so and it got my crazy acne under control. I was breaking out a lot on my chin and I was using all sorts of things to help it. This was the only thing to help clear my acne. My skin is now mostly clear with a rogue pimple every now and then. This was my fist ever retinol product too! Highly recommend. I have combo towards oily skin.
Makes a huge difference for acne scarring and discoloration! 5
Katie from Montana
I'm only 20, but I have some acne scarring and discoloration that I have been dealing with for the last 6 months. I used this 2x a week for the first few weeks and have moved up to 3x a week, and after 2 months all of the lighter dark spots on my face are pretty much gone. The darker ones are also much less noticeable and are fading significantly as well. I am confident that they will be almost entirely gone after another 2 months! This stuff is amazing and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. I have been using it alongside other skincare (such as curology and products from other brands) and I haven't had any issues with adverse reactions. I highly recommend this and it will remain a key part of my skincare routine. The overall texture and look of my skin has improved immensely.
Almost through an entire bottle... 2
Cakes from Florida
I have almost finished an entire bottle of this, and while I can see where they were going with this product- it doesn't really get there. It is simply not strong enough to resurface anything. It have caused some shedding of dead skin cells but overall I have noticed a major increase in blackheads and clogged pores while using this. It is almost as if it starts the process but just can't do it because simply is not enough % as far as retinol goes. It more so aggravates your skin then doing anything positive. This definitely a NO.
Wonderful 5
Anais from St. Paul, MN
I have only been using this product for a little less than 2 weeks and adding this to my nightly ritual has already made a dramatic difference! My skin feels tighter and smoother and I'm excited to see results after a month of usage.
Shocked at how well it worked 5
Stargirl from Iowa
I'm very surprised at how fast I saw results from this! I have used different serums before, many of which never made any noticeable difference and would clog my pores leading to more issues. I have some adult acne on my checks and chin/jawline, the amount of active acne has dropped dramatically in only a few weeks! The post-acne marks are starting to fade as well, and the appearance of new acne is very quickly reduced.
Also I always get nervous that serums, which I typically use at night, will stain my pillow or make my face very dry in the morning- but this did neither! This is a steal for the results it produces, will be buying again
Love 5
El from La Puente
This has saved my life. It has been helping so much, it takes a while like any product to work but it's worth the wait. My face has been clearing up a lot
Unsung Retinol Hero 5
Blondie from Midwest
I tried this after seeing good reviews to replace a more expensive product, and I'm glad I did. The amount of retinol must be pretty high, although the exact % isn't labeled, due to this being a "cosmetic" product. I would not recommend it for dry skin, only combo/oily skin, because it has a more matte finish. The packaging is also superior to the former product I used, one pump is enough for your whole face. Definitely try this if you want to explore a retinol product but are on a limited budget, and don't have very dry skin.
Not perfect but very good 4
Nimbusrune from USA
I mostly have acne around my mouth and I love this formula. It's more like a cream and it feels great on the skin. No smell, and I experienced no sensitivity that can be common with a retinol. It did make my skin feel great and it brightened it up (I don't have fine lines or wrinkles yet lol). It's a great price for a retinol And it did improve my acne, However it didn't get rid of it. I would recommend this to someone using a retinol for the first time (if you have sensitive skin start every other day for a week, then once a day.) but I might need to use it with something else to truly clear up my acne.
Buy it, try it, wait for it to work. 5
Kaylasuuee from Visalia, CA
Retinol causes purging... retinol increases skin cells turn over rate which will cause your skin to purge all of the "bad cells" out. Resulting in break outs. If it is extremely bad or you find your skin is extremely dry like I did after starting use.. just use it less often. Every other day or even just a few times a week. But stick with it and I promise you will see results. I love this serum. You only need a pea size amount for your whole face. I swear this serum has cleared up my acne prone, oily, and sensitive skin. It has some other awesome ingredients like licorice root extract which has great anti inflammatory properties and niacinamide which is good for improving your skins texture and "shrinking" pores. The combo of these ingredients have improved my skins appearance and health. I love it. I follow up with the ordinary's HA serum + water for soft and moist skin. I also use a bit of a moisturizing cream just to lock in all the benefits from the HA.
Made my skin worse 1
Megan from Wisconsin
In the past, I've had great experiences with CeraVe products, but this one did not do it for me. I bought it when my acne was finally under control to reduce the appearance of scars/ dark spots. This did just about the opposite and I started breaking out in tiny red pimples on my forehead and chin. My skin never looked worse, and after I stopped using it, my skin started to clear up within a few days. Maybe I just had a bad reaction to it, but I definitely do not recommend.
nothing 2
briebee from Pennsylvania
I bought this retinol hoping for it to fix some hyperpigmentation, clear up some acne, and make my pores less noticeable. I've been using it every night for about 3 months now with sunscreen and nothing has changed other than my skin is dryer. I finally stopped purging too. I see no change.
Good 4
Tina from Brooklyn
This lightens your acne scars but make sure to only apply a little bit because if you add too much it can break you out in that area. Just a little will do a lot.
Game changer! 5
Nadiebrg from Waxhaw, NC
Great for resurfacing skin. Using it to lighten scarring on legs.
Disappointed 1
Kim from NJ
I usually like CeraVe products I love their cleansers and moisturizers so I decided to give this retinol a try since I had heard so many good things about it. Sadly it didn't work for me. I started using it and noticed consistent breakouts. At first I just thought that it was purging which is to be expected with retinol usage. However, after a few months my skin just got worse and worse. I noticed that I wouldn't break out on days I didn't use it but on the morning after using it I would notice a pimple coming up. Sadly it's a one star for me I'm gonna keep looking.
I love it 5
Moogle from WA
SO if you have acne prone skin this will def need to be added to a skin care routine, and not just used alone. It's a great almost gel like texture and absorbs fast; that said, it packs a ton of moisture and often leaves my face feeling oily or heavy. I get t-zone oil breakouts, this affects that. Couple this will a nice drying toner and some care gel ( recc sebamed care gel) and you will have glass skin in a few months.
My skin looks great, no dramatic scar fading for me 4
Ash from Alpharetta, GA
Like a lot of other reviews, my skin freaked out while adjusting to it like I seriously thought I ruined my skin at first by using the product. After toning down my frequency of use and turning up my moisturizing, I love it. It does make your skin peel a lot so, if you don't use an exfoliant frequently your foundation is going to show it. I've noticed a slight difference in how bright my scars are so I'm hoping that improves after a few more months. The main reason I love this product is because I haven't broken out in months and my skin looks so fresh and glowy - I only feel the need to wear make up for significant events now when I used to put it on to go to Waffle House! Definitely recommend this product
