COSRX Retinol 0.1 vs CeraVe Retinol Serum
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.
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?; DermNet: topical retinoids. Each product's label source is linked on its product page.
| Product | Price | Size | Key ingredients | Skin type (brand) | Fragrance | Worth knowing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$21.60 at Stylevana | 20 ml | Retinol 0.1% | Brand doesn't say | Marketed as fragrance free | No flags recorded; not a safety guarantee | Brand's page Checked | |
| Brand doesn't list it | Brand doesn't name one | oily, combination, normal skin | Marketed as fragrance free | Alcohol, Isopropyl Myristate | Brand's page Checked |
Strength disclosure and base decide it
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream is a 20 mL cream with 0.1% retinol. Its base includes caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, tocopheryl acetate, panthenol, shea butter and soybean oil. COSRX positions it as a starting strength for fine lines and texture.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum uses encapsulated retinol without a stated percentage. It lists 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. For a full rundown, see how to introduce retinol and retinoids compared.
Manufacturer sources
Sources and label-check dates are recorded on the product pages.
Which is best for you?
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream
Best if you're new to retinol and want a stated 0.1% strength.
Also consider it when
- You prefer a cream with shea butter, panthenol and vitamin E
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Best if your skin is oily or combination and post-acne marks bother you.
Also consider it when
- You want niacinamide, licorice root and ceramides in the same step
Worth knowing
- Sensitivity considerations: Isopropyl Myristate
Common 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.