Deliverance Serum
Barrier-First Soother
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Multi-ingredient soothing stack addresses inflammation from several pathways simultaneously
- +Niacinamide, centella, ectoin, and ceramides all supported by real research
- +Fungal-acne safe unlike the original cannabinoid formulation
- +Excellent buffer for retinoid irritation and other reactive routines
- +Thin, watery texture layers invisibly under anything
- +Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and pregnancy-safe
- +Refill program reduces plastic waste and slightly lowers repurchase cost
- −Expensive at $85 for 30ml relative to comparable calming serums
- −Minimal emollient content — dry skin needs a richer cream on top
- −Glass pipette dropper can be fussy for daily use
- −Only one size available, no travel or value option
- −Some longtime Dieux fans prefer the discontinued cannabinoid version
The full review.
Indie brands usually reformulate founding products quietly by swapping ingredients and updating labels. Dieux did the opposite with Deliverance. The brand used social media to announce they were removing the CBD from their cannabinoid serum and replacing it with a more rigorously-supported calming stack. Co-founder Charlotte Palermino explained the reasoning with more detail than most brands provide to investors. Two factors drove the change. First, scientific evidence for topical CBD is less robust than evidence for ingredients like niacinamide, centella, and ectoin—and Dieux wanted to lead with its strongest ingredients. Second, the regulatory environment for CBD in cosmetics created operational burdens that limited where and how the brand could sell. Instead of hiding the change, Dieux used it to publicly define their product standards.
The reformulated Deliverance is a thin, watery serum that absorbs on contact with no tack, no grease, and no residue. The texture is closer to a toner-essence than a traditional serum; you can layer anything over it within thirty seconds without pilling. This matters for building multi-step routines on reactive skin. Pat two or three drops onto a clean fingertip and across your face. Within minutes, you will feel a cooling, slightly cushioned finish from the soothing actives.
The formulation includes many well-studied calming ingredients. Niacinamide sits near the top to reduce transepidermal water loss, strengthen the stratum corneum, and calm visible redness. Centella asiatica extract delivers asiaticoside and madecassoside, two traditional wound-healing compounds with growing evidence for reactive skin. Ectoin, an amino-acid derivative, stabilizes cellular membranes against osmotic and oxidative stress; it allows this serum to handle reactive skin without the original cannabinoid. Bisabolol provides fast anti-inflammatory action, while panthenol and allantoin add comfort. Ceramide NP, phytosphingosine, and squalane rebuild the lipid barrier to prevent sensitivity. While most soothing serums use one calming ingredient, Dieux stacks six or seven to address inflammation, barrier loss, oxidative stress, and cellular stability in one bottle.
Results on reactive skin follow a predictable timeline. The first few uses provide an immediate cooling sensation and a softer look. After one to two weeks of twice-daily use, baseline redness recedes and triggers like weather, stress, or active ingredients cause less dramatic reactions. Over four to eight weeks, the barrier improves; skin becomes more tolerant, and the serum shifts from a reactive tool to a maintenance layer that prevents flare-ups. This serum delivers on that value reliably.
The reformulation also fixed a practical problem. The original Deliverance contained hemp seed oil, making it unsuitable for anyone with fungal acne or Malassezia-driven conditions. The new version uses squalane, a saturated hydrocarbon that does not feed yeast. This allows readers who could not use the original to use the reformulation without issue. Since many “soothing” serums worsen fungal acne, Dieux made the product stronger by fixing this.
Flaws are few. The $85 price for 30ml remains high for this category, and comparable niacinamide-and-centella serums cost less. The glass pipette can be fussy for daily use, a common issue across the Dieux line due to the refillable glass packaging. The formula is also minimal on rich emollient ingredients. If you have very dry or mature skin, layer a heavier moisturizer on top, as this serum calms and rebuilds but lacks substantial occlusive comfort.
The value depends on your priorities. This is a well-built product and likely the best-formulated entry in the Dieux lineup after Forever Eye Mask. The $85 price is defensible if you value the refill program, the brand’s transparency, and the multi-ingredient stacking approach. On pure ingredient-to-dollar math, it is harder to defend, as you can find niacinamide, centella, and ceramides in single serums from established brands for $30-$50. You cannot, however, find this specific ingredient combination, this level of formulation care, or this brand’s commitment to transparent product evolution elsewhere. Whether that justifies the premium is a personal choice, but the serum earns its place for those who value it. For others, good alternatives exist.
Formula
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list · pH 5.5
Water (Aqua/Eau), Propanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Zinc PCA, Tocopherol, Squalane, Ceramide NP, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
This reformulated serum uses some of the best-studied calming actives in modern skincare. Niacinamide has decades of peer-reviewed evidence showing it reduces transepidermal water loss, improves barrier function, and reduces visible redness. Centella asiatica extract provides asiaticoside, madecassoside, and asiatic acid; these triterpenoid compounds have published research on wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects. A review in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology documented how centella modulates inflammatory cytokine expression and supports collagen synthesis, matching its reputation in Korean skincare for compromised skin. Ectoin has emerging research showing it stabilizes cellular membranes under osmotic and oxidative stress, specifically against environmental aggressors and for sensitive skin. Bisabolol, a sesquiterpene from chamomile, has well-documented anti-inflammatory effects and has reduced acute erythema in dermatology for decades. Ceramide NP, phytosphingosine, and squalane complete the barrier-repair by rebuilding the stratum corneum lipid matrix. The formulation uses a stacking strategy. Instead of one soothing ingredient, Dieux layers six or seven complementary mechanisms—barrier reinforcement, anti-inflammatory action, cellular stress protection, and wound-healing support—so performance on reactive skin does not depend on the variability of a single ingredient. This is sophisticated, evidence-literate formulation.
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists often recommend well-formulated soothing serums containing niacinamide, centella, and ceramides for patients with rosacea, eczema, post-procedure skin, and general sensitivity. Board-certified dermatologists note that multi-ingredient soothing stacks outperform single-active formulations because reactive skin involves multiple pathways—barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress all contribute. Addressing these pathways simultaneously leads to more consistent performance in clinical practice. Deliverance is a safe layer to use alongside prescription treatments for rosacea and eczema, and patients often use it as a buffer when starting tretinoin or other retinoid therapies. Dermatologists caution that this serum does not replace prescription treatments for moderate-to-severe inflammatory conditions.
Where it fits in your routine.
Apply twice daily, morning and evening, after cleansing and any water-based toner. Put two or three drops on a clean fingertip or damp skin. Pat it gently across the face and neck, targeting visible redness or reactivity. Wait 30 seconds for absorption before applying moisturizer, sunscreen, or treatment products. Use it before a retinoid as a buffer, or after a retinoid on reactive nights. It works as a daily maintenance layer in routines with strong actives. Store upright at room temperature and close the pipette firmly after each use.
At $85 for 30ml, Deliverance costs more than its competitors. The formulation is high-quality and shows careful indie-brand construction, but established brands sell comparable niacinamide and centella soothing serums for $30-$50. This premium price comes from Dieux's small-batch economics, refillable glass packaging, and high investment in transparent communication. The refill program lowers the per-use cost by a few dollars on repurchase. Readers who value the brand's ethos will find the price reasonable. Readers optimizing for pure ingredient value can find equivalent stacks elsewhere for less.
Readers with sensitive, reactive, or rosacea-prone skin seeking a multi-ingredient calming serum. Anyone using or starting a retinoid routine who needs a reliable buffer layer. Fungal-acne-prone readers who want the original Deliverance but cannot use it. Dieux loyalists and readers who value the brand's transparency and refill program.
Budget-conscious shoppers can find comparable niacinamide-and-centella stacks for half the price. Very dry or mature skin needs a thick, emollient serum instead of a water-weight calming layer. Readers who wanted the original cannabinoid version will find the reformulated one is different by design.
Product details.
This thin, watery serum has a faint gel feel. It absorbs on contact and leaves no tackiness.
Completely fragrance-free with a faint, neutral ingredient scent.
Opaque glass bottle with a glass pipette dropper; works with Dieux's refill pouch program.
The serum feels cool and calming seconds after application. Users with reactive skin see less redness within the first few uses. It absorbs within 30 seconds and leaves no residue — you can layer anything on top without pilling or interference.
2-3 months with twice-daily face application.
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
This version of Deliverance launched in 2023 as a reformulation of Dieux's original 2021 cannabinoid-containing serum. Dieux publicly announced the reformulation on social media and explained that the CBD was being removed in favor of a stack of more rigorously-supported calming ingredients, while preserving the core barrier-repair ethos. The reformulation was controversial with longtime fans of the original but has been well-received on its own merits.
About Dieux Skin
Emerging Brand (2–5 years)Charlotte Palermino, Joyce de Lemos, and Marta Cros co-founded Dieux Skin in 2020. The brand builds credibility using transparent formulation communication and refillable packaging. This reformulated version of Deliverance replaces the original CBD-containing serum from the brand.
Common myths.
The reformulated Deliverance is weaker than the original because it lacks CBD.
CBD was just one ingredient in the original soothing stack. The reformulated version strengthens the core barrier-repair story by adding phytosphingosine and focusing more on well-studied soothers like ectoin and centella. This version performs equally or better on reactive skin by most measures.
FAQ.
How does this compare to the original CBD Deliverance?
The reformulated version removes CBD and hemp seed oil but keeps the niacinamide, centella, ectoin, and ceramide backbone. It adds phytosphingosine for more barrier support and is now fungal-acne safe. It performs on general sensitivity and redness like the original.
Is this worth $85 for 30ml?
The formulation works well for reactive skin, but the price reflects Dieux's indie economics and refill program. You can find niacinamide-and-centella serums at lower prices. The price is defensible if you value the brand's transparency ethos and refillable packaging; if you optimize purely for ingredients per dollar, other options offer better value.
Can I layer this with retinol or tretinoin?
This serum buffers retinoid irritation. Apply it before your retinoid to soothe skin, or immediately after on reactive nights. The niacinamide, centella, ectoin, and ceramides mitigate retinoid-related redness and peeling.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
Yes — the reformulated version lacks retinoids, salicylic acid, and cannabinoids. All ingredients are generally safe during pregnancy. If you have specific concerns or a high-risk pregnancy, consult your OB before adding any new product to your routine.
Will this clear my redness from rosacea?
This cosmetic soothing serum reduces redness and reactivity for many rosacea-prone users over several weeks. It is not a prescription treatment. Persistent or moderate-to-severe rosacea requires dermatologist-prescribed therapies like topical ivermectin, metronidazole, or azelaic acid. Use this serum alongside those treatments, not as a replacement.
Is this fungal-acne safe?
Yes — unlike the original Deliverance, which contained hemp seed oil, this reformulated version is fungal-acne safe. The squalane is an unsaturated hydrocarbon that does not feed Malassezia, and the rest of the formula uses non-triggering humectants and peptide-derived soothers.
What the community says.
"Visibly reduces redness"
"Buffers retinoid irritation"
"Lightweight and absorbs fast"
"Fungal-acne safe unlike original"
"Still expensive for 30ml"
"Some users miss the original CBD version"
"Pipette can be fussy"
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