# COSRX Retinol 0.1 vs CeraVe Retinol Serum

**Question answered:** Should I choose COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream or CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum?

**Short answer:** Choose COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream if you're new to retinol, want a stated 0.1% strength, and want a cream with shea butter and vitamin E for fine lines and texture. Choose CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum if your skin is oily or combination and your focus is post-acne marks, pores and texture; it adds niacinamide and licorice root but doesn't state its retinol percentage. Both are night products and need daytime sunscreen.

By Nora Ellison. Published 2026-10-28. Data is taken from manufacturer labels; the products have not been tested.

## What this means for you

### Start with what you notice

Start with what you want retinol for: early fine lines and texture, or leftover acne marks and pores. Then think about whether your skin wants a cream or a lighter serum.

### The ingredient names, translated

Retinol is a vitamin A ingredient that speeds up skin cell turnover. It can cause dryness, flaking or stinging at first. COSRX states 0.1%, a low starting strength, in a cream base. CeraVe encapsulates its retinol but doesn't disclose the percentage, so the two can't be compared on strength.

### How to decide

- New to retinol and want a known, low strength in a cream? COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream.
- Oily or combination skin with post-acne marks and visible pores? CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum.
- Pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding? Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using either.

### What to expect

Retinol results build over months, not weeks. Start a few nights a week, use moisturizer, and wear sunscreen daily. We haven't tested either product.

General guidance, not a test of these products: [AAD: retinoid or retinol?](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/retinoid-retinol); [DermNet: topical retinoids](https://dermnetnz.org/topics/topical-retinoids). Each product's label source is linked on its product page.

## Strength disclosure and base decide it

[COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream](product:cosrx-the-retinol-0-1-cream) is a 20 mL cream with 0.1% [retinol](/ingredients/retinol/). Its base includes caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, tocopheryl acetate, [panthenol](/ingredients/panthenol/), [shea butter](/ingredients/shea-butter/) and soybean oil. COSRX positions it as a starting strength for fine lines and texture.

[CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum](product:cerave-resurfacing-retinol-serum) uses encapsulated retinol without a stated percentage. It lists [niacinamide](/ingredients/niacinamide/), licorice-derived dipotassium glycyrrhizate and ceramides NP, AP and EOP. CeraVe positions it for post-acne marks, pores and texture, and lists it for oily, combination and normal skin.

> **Skin Realist check:** with retinol, slow and boring wins. The flaky "it's working" phase is usually just too much, too soon.

## Label differences worth knowing

CeraVe's list includes alcohol and isopropyl myristate; COSRX's list includes soybean and sunflower oils. If you're pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using retinol; see our [pregnancy skincare guide](/articles/pregnancy-skincare-ingredients-to-avoid/). For a full rundown, see [how to introduce retinol](/articles/how-to-safely-introduce-retinol-into-your-routine/) and [retinoids compared](/articles/retinoids-compared/).

## Manufacturer sources

- [COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream](https://www.cosrx.com/products/the-retinol-0-1-cream-1)
- [CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/facial-serums/resurfacing-retinol-serum)

Sources and label-check dates are recorded on the product pages.

| Product | Price | Key ingredients | Skin types | Fragrance | Flagged ingredients | Size | Source | Buy |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream](https://dermalguide.com/products/cosrx-the-retinol-0-1-cream/) | $21.60 at [Stylevana](https://www.awin1.com/pclick.php?p=43018979578&a=3132625&m=90791) (affiliate), checked 2026-10-29 07:35 UTC | Retinol 0.1% | Brand doesn't say | Marketed as fragrance free | No flags recorded; not a safety guarantee | 20 ml | [Manufacturer label](https://www.cosrx.com/products/the-retinol-0-1-cream-1), checked 2026-10-10 | [Amazon (affiliate)](https://amzn.to/4jS8FUF) |
| [CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum](https://dermalguide.com/products/cerave-resurfacing-retinol-serum/) |  | Brand doesn't name one | oily, combination, normal | Marketed as fragrance free | Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate | Brand doesn't list it | [Manufacturer label](https://www.cerave.com/skincare/facial-serums/resurfacing-retinol-serum), checked 2026-10-23 | [Amazon (affiliate)](https://link.amazon/B04SVUgPh) |

## Which to choose

Consider COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream when: You're new to retinol and want a stated 0.1% strength; You prefer a cream with shea butter, panthenol and vitamin E.

Consider CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum when: Your skin is oily or combination and post-acne marks bother you; You want niacinamide, licorice root and ceramides in the same step.


## Questions

### Which one is stronger?

COSRX states 0.1% retinol. CeraVe doesn't state a percentage for its serum, so we can't say which is stronger.

### How often should I start?

COSRX recommends three nights a week at first, increasing as skin adjusts. CeraVe says to use its serum less often if it stings. Wear sunscreen during the day with either.

### Are they fragrance free?

COSRX's recorded list includes no fragrance or essential oils. CeraVe says its serum is free of added fragrance and parabens.