
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Face serum with multiple ingredients
FEATURES
Improve skin's firmness, texture, and tone
BEST FOR
All skin types including sensitive
CHECKS
Does not contain parabens, fragrance
Who Is It For?
Not Specified Likely Suitable For AdultsWhat Does It Help With?
Signs Of Premature Aging Skin Firmness Texture Tone And HydrationBudget
Not Enough Information To DetermineHow To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Cetaphil Says
Product Description:
Improve skin's firmness, texture, and tone with Cetaphil Healthy Renew Face Serum for rejuvenated, healthier-looking skin.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Water, Butyleneglycol, Glycerin, Panthenol,1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Cetylethylhexanoate, Hydrogenatedpolydecene, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkylacrylate Crosspolymer,Tromethamine, Oryza Sativa (Rice)Lees Extract, Leontopodiumalpinum Extract, Calcium Alginate,Propanediol, Hydrolyzed Soy Flour,Ethylhexylglycerin, Agar,Adenosine, Trisodiumethylenediamine Disuccinate,Synthetic Fluorphlogopite,Caprylyl Glycol, Iron Oxides, Citricacid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassiumsorbate, Buddleja Davidii Extract,Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Extract,Tocopherol
Key Ingredients
Purified peptides, vitamins B3 and B5, rice lees extract, edelweiss extract
Ingredients Details
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Niacinamide
Common Name(s): Vitamin b3,nicotinamide,pyridine-3-carboxamide
CAS Number: 98-92-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, reduces visible pore size, regulates sebum production, fades dark spots, and improves skin texture and tone.
Why It's Used: It is used because it addresses multiple skin concerns at once without irritation, making it suitable for all skin types. it is stable in formulations and pairs well with most other actives.
How It Works: Niacinamide inhibits the transfer of melanosomes (pigment packets) to skin cells, reducing hyperpigmentation. it also stimulates ceramide synthesis to strengthen the skin barrier and reduces inflammation by modulating cytokine activity.
Typically Found In: Serums,moisturizers,toners,cleansers,eye creams,sunscreens,primers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ vitamin
Secondary Functions: Barrier repair,brightening,anti-inflammatory
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 2%โ10% (typical: 5%; higher concentrations may cause flushing in some individuals)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes โ synthetic origin
Source Notes: Commercially produced via synthesis from nicotinic acid or 3-cyanopyridine. no animal-derived sources used in cosmetic-grade niacinamide.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; concentrations above 10% may cause temporary flushing in sensitive individuals
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: At concentrations >10%, some users experience niacin flush (transient redness/tingling). generally very well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ one of the best-tolerated actives for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Extensively studied and considered very safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant systemic toxicity concerns at topical concentrations.
Works Well With: Retinol,peptides,ahas/bhas,hyaluronic acid,ceramides,zinc,vitamin c,spf
Avoid Combining With: High concentrations of vitamin c (ascorbic acid) may theoretically convert to niacin โ use at different times if using pure l-ascorbic acid above 15%
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Niacinamide is a precursor to nad+ and nadp+, coenzymes vital to cellular energy metabolism. its benefits for dna repair and mitochondrial function make it a key ingredient in anti-aging strategies.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,pubmed clinical studies
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Panthenol
Common Name(s): Provitamin b5,d-panthenol,dl-panthenol,d-pantothenyl alcohol,(r)-2,4-dihydroxy-n-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethylbutanamide
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Panthenol deeply moisturizes skin and hair, soothes irritation, accelerates wound healing, strengthens the skin barrier, and improves hair elasticity and shine.
Why It's Used: It is used because it is exceptionally versatile, working in both skin and hair formulations. it is gentle enough for sensitive and post-procedure skin, and converts to the active vitamin b5 within the skin.
How It Works: Panthenol penetrates skin and hair, where it is oxidized to pantothenic acid (vitamin b5), a coenzyme a precursor essential to metabolism. in skin, it acts as a humectant and stimulates fibroblast proliferation. in hair, it coats the shaft, improving manageability.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,toners,after-sun products,wound healing products,shampoos,conditioners,hair masks,beard care
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ provitamin b5
Secondary Functions: Anti-inflammatory,wound healing,hair conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ5% (typical: 1โ3%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially synthesized. both d- and dl-forms used in cosmetics; d-panthenol is the biologically active isomer but dl-panthenol is less expensive and widely used.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; one of the most soothing ingredients in cosmetics
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare contact allergy; considered one of the safest cosmetic ingredients. suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ ideal for sensitive, reactive, and post-procedure skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Exceptionally safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or systemic toxicity. safe during pregnancy.
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,allantoin,niacinamide,centella asiatica,retinol (reduces irritation),glycerin
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Panthenol has demonstrated wound-healing properties in clinical studies, stimulating fibroblast proliferation and migration. its dual humectant and anti-inflammatory action makes it particularly effective in barrier-repair formulations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ebner et al. (2002) skin pharmacology and applied skin physiology
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Tromethamine
Common Name(s): Tromethamine (tris),ph buffer/neutraliser,gentle base alternative
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Neutralises acidic cosmetic ingredients (carbomers, fatty acids, ahas) to target ph, provides ph stability through the tris/tris-hโบ buffer system, and contributes to formulation gentleness versus stronger inorganic alkalis.
Why It's Used: Tris provides gentler ph adjustment than naoh โ the organic amino alcohol buffer provides resistance to ph drift while the buffered system resists irritation spikes that can occur with strong base over-addition.
How It Works: Tris's primary amine (pka 8.1) provides buffering capacity at ph 7โ9 through the nhโ/nhโโบ equilibrium. as an organic base, tris neutralises carbomer carboxylic acid groups forming the carboxylate salt required for gel formation. the buffering capacity prevents over-alkalinisation from base addition during manufacturing.
Typically Found In: Gel formulations,ph-sensitive actives
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Tris is particularly useful for neutralising carbomer-gelled formulations containing ph-sensitive actives (vitamin c, ahas) where naoh addition can cause localised high-ph zones โ the tris buffer's pka 8.1 provides inherent ph ceiling limiting over-alkalinisation during mixing.
Last Verified: Cosing database,tromethamine tris ph buffer neutraliser review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12