Deliverance Cannabinoid Serum
OG CBD Comfort Serum
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Multi-ingredient soothing stack hits inflammation from several pathways at once
- +Niacinamide and centella provide well-established calming and barrier support
- +Effective buffer for retinoids and other irritation-prone actives
- +Thin, watery texture absorbs on contact and layers invisibly under anything
- +Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and tolerated by sensitive skin
- +Reduces baseline redness and reactivity with consistent use
- +Ceramide and ectoin provide structural barrier reinforcement
- −Expensive at $85 for 30ml compared to other soothing serums
- −CBD content was never clearly quantified on the label
- −Hemp seed oil inclusion makes it unsuitable for fungal-acne-prone skin
- −Original cannabinoid version is no longer stocked by most retailers
- −Reformulated version delivers most of the same benefits at the same price
The full review.
Few skincare products have an expiration date built into their history, but the original Deliverance Cannabinoid Serum is one. Launched in 2021 as part of Dieux’s founding product lineup, this version of Deliverance arrived when CBD peaked in beauty culture and many indie brands launched cannabinoid serums. Dieux took a different approach; the cannabidiol was one ingredient in a smart calming stack rather than a CBD-focused marketing product. When the regulatory environment for CBD in cosmetics grew complex and insurance or retail partnerships became harder to keep, Dieux reformulated Deliverance to remove the cannabinoids. This makes the original version reviewed here a historical document—a snapshot of Dieux’s founding aesthetic when the brand bet on an emerging active.
The formulation itself is worth studying because it shows how Dieux approaches skincare. Instead of mixing CBD into a simple glycerin-and-water vehicle, the brand built a functional soothing serum. Niacinamide sits near the top of the ingredient list to provide well-established anti-inflammatory and barrier-support effects. Centella asiatica extract adds traditional wound-healing and calming benefits. Ectoin, an amino-acid derivative, adds cellular stress protection. Ceramide NP replenishes barrier lipids. Panthenol, allantoin, and beta-glucan provide classic soothing. The CBD acts as one contributing ingredient in this stack rather than the main focus, which is the correct way to use an emerging active with real but not yet conclusive evidence.
The first impression on the skin matches a well-built calming serum. The texture is thin, watery, and almost gel-like. It absorbs in seconds without tack or grease, even with low levels of hemp seed oil and squalane. The finish is cushiony but invisible. After a few days of twice-daily use, people with reactive or easily-flushed skin typically see less baseline redness and fewer reactions to triggers like weather, actives, or stress. This serum improves overall tolerance rather than providing a sudden transformation.
This formula works well as a buffer for other actives. If you are building tretinoin tolerance, layering Deliverance under or over the retinoid helps reduce redness, dryness, and peeling without affecting the retinoid’s efficacy. Readers with rosacea or mild eczema reintroducing actives often find this the smoothest ramp-up serum because it addresses inflammation from several angles. The CBD, niacinamide, centella, and ectoin each hit different parts of the inflammatory cascade, while the ceramide adds structural barrier support.
The weak spots are clear. At $85 for 30ml, this is one of the more expensive soothing serums. The price reflects Dieux’s indie-brand economics and the original use of expensive pharmaceutical-grade CBD. The CBD content was never clearly quantified on the product, creating a transparency gap for a brand known for ingredient clarity. Because it contains hemp seed oil, this formula is not fungal-acne safe; readers with Malassezia-driven conditions should use the reformulated Deliverance instead. Finally, availability is an issue: most readers will find the non-CBD version by default since this formulation has been replaced.
The reformulated Deliverance delivers roughly 90% of the same calming benefit without the regulatory overhead. The core soothing stack—niacinamide, centella, ectoin, ceramides, and panthenol—remains in the new formulation. The product loses the specific contribution of the CBD and hemp seed oil, which is modest within a multi-ingredient formula. If you have the original cannabinoid version, finish it. If you are starting from scratch, the reformulated version is the more practical buy at the same price.
This is a good product with a complicated story that makes Dieux an interesting brand. They formulated around an emerging active when the culture supported it and reformulated when regulations shifted, making both decisions publicly and without marketing theater. The original Cannabinoid Deliverance is a well-built soothing serum that earned its place; while it is no longer the flagship, it remains a genuine calming product for reactive skin.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list · pH 5.5
Water (Aqua/Eau), Propanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Cannabidiol, Bisabolol, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Zinc PCA, Tocopherol, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
Evidence for this serum combines established and emerging data. Niacinamide at cosmetic concentrations has extensive peer-reviewed support for reducing transepidermal water loss, strengthening the stratum corneum barrier, and reducing visible redness in rosacea-prone skin. Published research shows Centella asiatica and its active triterpenes (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid) support wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effects, especially for post-procedure skin and compromised barriers. Ectoin, a compatible solute isolated from halophilic bacteria, has emerging research on stabilizing cellular membranes under osmotic and oxidative stress; it appears in more medical-grade skincare products for reactive skin. The cannabidiol story is more complex. Topical CBD has emerging evidence—including small human studies and in-vitro work—supporting anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and sebum-modulating effects, but the evidence is less robust than for established actives. Quality, purity, and concentration of CBD vary significantly across commercial skincare products. CBD in this serum is additive rather than primary; it contributes to the soothing effect but is not the sole or dominant mechanism. Ceramide NP at the end of the ingredient list provides modest barrier lipid replenishment and works with niacinamide to support the formula's long-term barrier goals. Overall, this is thoughtful but not revolutionary formulation science.
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists generally view soothing serums with niacinamide and centella as reasonable additions for rosacea, post-procedure recovery, and reactive skin, though opinions on topical CBD remain mixed. Board-certified dermatologists often note that skincare cannabinoid literature is still developing and that patients should not expect CBD alone to deliver results beyond what well-studied soothing actives achieve. This serum is appropriate for patients with sensitized skin, barrier dysfunction, or mild rosacea who want a calming layer. Dermatologists typically recommend patch testing any cannabinoid-containing product on the inner forearm first, as CBD and hemp-derived ingredients can occasionally trigger reactions in rare individuals.
Where it fits in your routine.
Apply twice daily, morning and evening, after cleansing and any water-based toner. Put a few drops on a clean fingertip or damp skin, then pat onto the face, neck, and areas with visible redness or irritation. Wait 30-60 seconds for absorption before applying moisturizer, sunscreen, or other treatments. Use it before a retinoid as a buffer, or after a retinoid when skin feels reactive. Store upright at room temperature and close the pipette firmly to preserve the formula.
At $85 for 30ml, this serum is a high-end soothing option with mixed value. The formulation is good; the multi-ingredient soothing stack is sophisticated, and the ceramide and ectoin inclusions show thoughtful construction. However, the price reflects Dieux's indie economics and outdated CBD sourcing costs, while comparable soothing serums with niacinamide and centella cost less. The reformulated non-CBD version of Deliverance performs nearly identically at the same price. This makes the original cannabinoid version harder to justify unless you want that specific formulation.
Readers with sensitive, reactive, or rosacea-prone skin seeking a multi-ingredient soothing serum that targets inflammation from several angles. Skincare enthusiasts building or maintaining a tretinoin routine who need a reliable buffer layer. Dieux loyalists curious about the original formulation of one of the brand's founding products.
The hemp seed oil makes this formulation unsuitable for readers with fungal acne or Malassezia-driven conditions. Budget-conscious shoppers can find comparable soothing stacks at lower price points. People avoiding cannabinoid ingredients should choose the reformulated Deliverance instead.
Product details.
This thin, watery gel absorbs in seconds and leaves a faintly cushiony finish.
Mild, plant-forward hemp note with no added fragrance.
Opaque glass bottle with a glass pipette dropper, built for Dieux's refill program.
The first application feels cooling and calming within seconds. The serum is thin enough to layer invisibly under any other routine step. Users with reactive skin typically see less redness within the first few uses. There is no tingling or adjustment period.
2-3 months with twice-daily face application.
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
Deliverance was one of Dieux's first three product launches in 2021 and positioned the brand as transparency-focused outsiders willing to use then-trendy ingredients like CBD without hype-based claims. The original CBD version has since been reformulated and relaunched as a non-CBD Deliverance, making this cannabinoid version a limited-run original that some longtime users still prefer.
About Dieux Skin
Emerging Brand (2–5 years)Charlotte Palermino, Joyce de Lemos, and Marta Cros co-founded Dieux Skin in 2020 as a transparency-first indie brand. This original formulation of Deliverance was among the brand's first products. Dieux Skin builds credibility through consumer education content and public formulation breakdowns instead of clinical studies on specific products.
Common myths.
CBD in skincare is a marketing gimmick with no real effect.
Topical CBD has emerging research supporting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in skin, though the evidence is less robust than for established actives like niacinamide. In this formula, CBD is one of several soothing ingredients — not the sole reason the product works.
FAQ.
What's the difference between the cannabinoid version and the reformulated Deliverance?
The original Deliverance, reviewed here, used CBD and hemp seed oil to calm skin. Dieux later reformulated the product to remove the cannabinoids—likely because of CBD regulatory complexity in skincare—but kept the niacinamide, centella, and ectoin core. To find the CBD version, you must source remaining stock from secondary retailers.
Does the CBD in this serum actually do anything?
New research shows topical CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, though evidence is weaker than for established actives. In this serum, CBD is one part of a multi-ingredient soothing stack, not the sole driver of results. niacinamide, centella, and ectoin also do significant work.
Will this serum make me fail a drug test?
Topical CBD or hemp-derived products generally do not cause positive drug tests. Normal skincare use does not absorb meaningful amounts of CBD or trace THC systemically. People with employment or legal concerns should check their specific testing requirements.
Can I layer this with retinol or tretinoin?
Yes — Deliverance works as a buffer for retinoid irritation. Apply it before your retinoid to soothe the skin, or after your retinoid when your skin feels reactive. The CBD, niacinamide, and ceramides all reduce retinoid-related redness.
Is this safe during pregnancy?
We're setting this to unknown. Topical CBD's safety profile during pregnancy has not been rigorously studied, and most dermatologists default to caution with any cannabinoid product during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, consult your OB before using this specific formulation.
Is the original cannabinoid version worth tracking down?
The reformulated non-CBD Deliverance gives most users similar barrier-soothing benefits for the same price. Buy the CBD version if you want Dieux's original formulation and cannabinoid inclusion. The functional difference for reactive skin is modest.
Community
What the community says.
"Calms redness quickly"
"Pleasant lightweight feel"
"Buffers retinoid irritation"
"Transparent ingredient communication"
"Expensive for 30ml"
"CBD content not clearly quantified"
"Reformulated version no longer contains cannabinoids"
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