Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Reviewed by SerumTruth Editorial · Price and formula checked July 2026
A smart budget retinol that pairs the active with barrier support, so it is easier to tolerate than most, and packages it properly. The retinol level is undisclosed, which is the one real gap. For a gentle, well-cushioned way into a well-evidenced active at drugstore price, it is hard to fault.
- Encapsulated delivery protects and time-releases the active
- Air- or light-sensitive actives in protective, opaque packaging
- Cheap to use, about $7 a month
- No active concentrations are disclosed
- Evidence21 / 30
Strength of the research behind the key actives
- Encapsulated Retinol: strong evidence
- Niacinamide: moderate evidence
- Ceramides: moderate evidence
- Licorice Root (Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate): limited evidence
The average of the key actives’ evidence grades.
- Potency21 / 25
Dosed at studied levels, not fairy-dusted
- Encapsulated Retinol: dosed at a studied level
- Niacinamide: dosed at a studied level
- Ceramides: dosed at a studied level
- Licorice Root (Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate): present, but below a studied dose
How strongly the actives are dosed, led by the strongest, not how many there are.
- Delivery & stability20 / 20
Delivery tech + packaging that protects fragile actives
- Delivery: encapsulated (protects and time-releases the active)
- Packaging: airless, opaque
- Air- or light-sensitive actives (Encapsulated Retinol), so packaging is scored.
Delivery tech plus packaging, and packaging only counts when actives are fragile.
- Formulation4 / 10
Disclosure, active breadth, and ingredient generation
- 0 of 4 actives disclose a concentration
- 4 key actives (breadth credit caps at 3)
- Current-generation or synergistic: Encapsulated Retinol, Ceramides
Disclosure, active breadth, and current-generation or synergistic actives.
- Value15 / 15
What a month of use costs vs. the category
- About $7 per month to use
- $21.99 for 30 ml, used about once a day (about 0.3 ml each time), so a bottle lasts about 3.3 months
- Frequency is set by Encapsulated Retinol, which is used no more than 7x a week, so a bottle stretches further
What a month of use costs: full marks at $6 a month or less, the floor at $60 a month or more.
Tap any row to see how its score was built.
Ranks #12 of 25 retinoids serums we have scored.
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What’s inside
| Active | Disclosed | Dose |
|---|---|---|
| Encapsulated Retinol | n/a | Studied |
| Niacinamide | n/a | Studied |
| Ceramides | n/a | Studied |
| Licorice Root (Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate) | n/a | Light |
Encapsulated retinol with niacinamide, licorice root and CeraVe’s three-ceramide barrier blend, in an opaque pump that protects the light-sensitive retinol. The retinol is delivered gently for the appearance of a smoother surface and post-blemish marks, while the ceramides and niacinamide keep the barrier looking comfortable through it. The percentage is not disclosed, but the encapsulation and opaque pump are exactly right for a fragile active.
How it’s delivered
Air- and light-sensitive actives (vitamin C, copper peptides) lose potency fast in the wrong packaging, so delivery and the bottle are scored, not just what’s on the label.
The actives, explained
What the research says
Silicone-particle encapsulation extended retinol stability and was linked to less visible irritation than standard encapsulation in human testing.
Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery. Journal of Controlled Release, 2018. PubMed ↗
Topical 5% niacinamide was linked to more even looking skin tone, softer looking lines, and less visible blotchiness after 12 weeks.
Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatologic Surgery, 2005. PubMed ↗
A study of the active, not this exact product. What matters for the score is whether this serum uses it at a comparable dose.
Higher-scoring alternatives
Same category, better SerumProof score. Worth a look before you buy.
Revision history
- July 11, 2026Price and formula rechecked
- July 10, 2026Review published
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Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. The SerumProof score reflects our reading of publicly available research and formulation disclosures. See how scoring works.