Versus

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum Versus Louis Widmer Pigmanorm® Creme

Serum
Prescription
American Brand United States
Swiss Brand Switzerland

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols and sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Resurfacing Retinol Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Emollient, Masking

Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.

It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.

The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.

Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.

Learn more about Isopropyl Myristate
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

When to use

2,214 Routines
7% use in am
93% use in pm
67% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
6 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
83% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 33 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 42 ratings
Light (12) Absorbs Well (9) Great Value (8)
CentellaAddict's avatar

CentellaAddict

1 year ago
Review

No more acne, very slow at reducing pigmentation tho

#absorbs well
#works well
SkincareSimba's avatar

SkincareSimba

1 year ago
Review

The only retinol my partner's skin can tolerate.
Their skin is extremely reactive and sensitive but this retinol has worked great.

I also use it every other day because I alternate between this retinol and A313.
It works great and is gentle enough to allow me to build tolerance without purging effects (at least on my skin and my partner's)

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

Louis Widmer Pigmanorm® Creme 27 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Drying (1) Irritating (1) No Scent (1)
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

8 months ago
Review

Louis Widmer’s Pigmanorm has been a game-changer in my skincare routine - I don’t want to gatekeep it. After damaging my skin due to irresponsible retinol use, I spent a lot on brightening products with only mediocre results. However, pairing Pigmanorm with microdermabrasion treatments from October 2023 to April 2024 has reversed so much sun damage. Parts of my melasma and hyperpigmentation have Show more

#drying
#irritating
#no scent
#works well