Shop CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum for Post Acne Marks with Niacinamide (1 oz)
Serum
CeraVe

Resurfacing Retinol Serum for Post Acne Marks with Niacinamide (1 oz)

~$22· 1 oz
Fine lines & firmnessAcneDark spotsDryness

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database — one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

RetinolStrong evidence12 citations

Speeds up how fast your skin renews itself so old, dull cells shed faster and fresher skin shows through. Builds collagen over time, smoothing fine lines.

SCCS Revision of the Scientific Opinion on Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate), SCCS/1639/21, final version adopted 24-25 October 2022

2022Safety assessmentSCCS/1639/21View source ↗

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Retinol (anti-wrinkle). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — listed alongside Adenosine, Retinyl Palmitate, and Polyethoxylated Retinamide in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex anti-wrinkle category

2020Regulatory approvalMFDS:Retinol-AntiWrinkleView source ↗

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Retinyl Palmitate (anti-wrinkle, retinol ester form). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — Retinyl Palmitate explicitly listed in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex anti-wrinkle category alongside Retinol, Polyethoxylated Retinamide, and Adenosine

2020Regulatory approvalMFDS:RetinylPalmitate-AntiWrinkleView source ↗
NiacinamideStrong evidence11 citations

A multitasker that calms redness, evens out skin tone, and helps oily skin balance out. One of the safest do-a-little-of-everything ingredients.

Moro F et al., Skin Cancer Prevention and Antiaging: Role of Nicotinamide, International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2026

2026Mechanism onlyPMID:42278444View source ↗

Passeron T et al., An Investigator-Blinded, Randomized Trial of a Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen Containing Sclareolide and Niacinamide, Dermatology and Therapy (Heidelberg) 2026

2026Positive — efficacyPMID:41240206View source ↗

Vergilio MM et al., Topical Formulation with Niacinamide Combined with 5 MHz Ultrasound for Improving Skin Ageing, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2025

2025Positive — efficacyPMID:39171587View source ↗
GlycerinModerate evidence4 citations

A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.

Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164 — glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection

2022Positive — efficacyPMID:35167133View source ↗

Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748 — 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration

2017Positive — efficacyPMID:28889318View source ↗

Fluhr JW et al., Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions, British Journal of Dermatology 2008;159(1):23-34 — improves xerosis and barrier function

2008Positive — efficacyPMID:18510666View source ↗
+3 more ingredients
CeramidesStrong evidence8 citations

Refills the natural barrier between your skin cells. Locks moisture in, keeps irritants out, calms dry or damaged skin.

Andrew PV et al., Topical supplementation with physiological lipids rebalances the stratum corneum ceramide profile and strengthens skin barrier function in adults predisposed to atopic dermatitis, British Journal of Dermatology 2025;193(4):729-740 — physiological-lipid emulsion raised SC ceramide NP/AP and improved barrier function vs control

2025Positive — efficacyPMID:40408261View source ↗

Kawamoto A et al., Chain length of covalently bound ceramides correlates with skin barrier function in healthy subjects, Journal of Dermatological Science 2023;110(1):35-38 — clinical study: SC ceramide chain length directly correlates with barrier function; longer-chain ceramides are the functionally relevant species

2023Mechanism onlyPMID:37002180View source ↗

Shindo S et al., Effects of a moisturizer containing pseudo-ceramide and a eucalyptus extract on sweating function in adult atopic dermatitis: a double-blind, randomized, controlled left-right comparison clinical trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2022;21(10):4503-4509 — pseudo-ceramide + eucalyptus moisturizer restored sweating function and barrier in AD adults

2022Positive — efficacyPMID:35298858View source ↗
Aloe VeraModerate evidence5 citations

Calms irritation and adds light hydration. The classic for sunburned or reactive skin.

Tungkasamit T et al., Reduction in severity of radiation-induced dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients treated with topical aloe vera gel: A randomized multicenter double-blind placebo-controlled trial, European Journal of Oncology Nursing 2022;59:102164 — aloe vera reduced severity of moderate-to-severe radiation dermatitis

2022Positive — efficacyPMID:35767935View source ↗

Hekmatpou D et al., The effect of aloe vera clinical trials on prevention and healing of skin wound: a systematic review, Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences 2019;44(1):1-9

2019Meta-analysis — positivePMID:30666070View source ↗

Burusapat C et al., Topical Aloe Vera Gel for Accelerated Wound Healing of Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial and Systematic Review, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2018;142(1):217-226 — aloe vera gel shortened donor-site reepithelialization to 11.5 vs 13.7 days

2018Positive — efficacyPMID:29649056View source ↗
Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidence7 citations

A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging

2022Meta-analysis — positivePMID:36200921View source ↗

Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020

2020Mechanism onlyPMID:33911737View source ↗

An JH et al., Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy of Cross-Linked Hyaluronic Acid-Based Microneedle Patch with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Epidermal Growth Factor on Korean Skin, Annals of Dermatology 2019;31(3):263-271 — cross-linked HA microneedle patches improved wrinkles on Korean skin with minimal discomfort

2019Positive — efficacyPMID:33911590View source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.

Layering conflicts

Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.

  • Retinol + salicylic acid can over-exfoliate and damage the barrier. Alternate nights.

  • Retinol + glycolic acid is a classic barrier-buster. Use on different nights.

  • Retinol + lactic acid is gentler than glycolic but still alternate nights to be safe.

  • Retinol + mandelic acid — alternate nights to preserve barrier integrity.

  • Benzoyl peroxide can break down retinol. Use one in the morning and the other at night, or pick a stabilized formula made to combine them.

  • Vitamin C and retinol work best at different pH levels. Use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night.

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Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.