CeraVe Moisturizer Review

Featuring the CeraVe patented MVE Delivery Technology, this moisturizer works to deliver 24 hour hydration. It's formulated with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and other ingredients to strengthen your skin's barrier and maintain your skin's moisture balance.

It's also fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores or cause breakouts. It's also a great option for those with dry skin, eczema or sensitive skin.

Ceramides

Ceramides are essential lipids that help support the skin barrier and promote healthy skin function. They also help maintain skin elasticity, hydration, and strength. When your ceramide levels are low, your skin may become dry and itchy. This can be particularly problematic for those with eczema and psoriasis because these skin conditions can cause an underlying lack of ceramides.

The ceramides found in cerave moisturizing cream are all skin-identical to the ones you already have naturally in your skin, and this helps ensure they will be effectively absorbed into the skin. They're also designed to slowly release over time and work to hydrate your skin barrier, long after you've applied the product.

All ceramides, including those in cerave moisturizing cream, have been carefully selected and tested by dermatologists to be effective and safe for use. They're also formulated with a Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) technology to ensure efficient delivery within your skin's barrier and slow release over time.

These ceramides also have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe itching, redness, and irritation. They're especially beneficial for people with sensitive skin as they can help improve the skin's barrier and promote hydration.

Compared to a placebo cream, ceramide cream increased skin hydration significantly after just 2 hours of application, and continued to increase it at 24 hours. In addition, ceramide cream also improved barrier integrity, which is essential in addressing dry and irritated skin.

Although the research is still inconclusive, it's thought that using a ceramide-based moisturizer may be beneficial for those with atopic dermatitis or other types of dry skin. It's also recommended for those with mature skin since it replenishes ceramides and helps keep the skin supple.

The best ceramide-based products for dry or sensitive skin are those that contain a high concentration of ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which is known to increase hydration. You should always do a patch test before using any new skin care product, especially if you have sensitive or atopic skin. This way you can be sure the ingredients are right for you before committing to a larger investment.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a water-binding molecule that helps hydrate skin, smoothing its texture while minimizing signs of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also been shown to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of pores.

It can also help with redness, acne, and discoloration. As an antioxidant, it may also promote cell regeneration and protect against sun damage.

As a moisturizer, it has the capacity to attract and hold 1000x its weight in moisture to keep your skin hydrated.

But, if you’re going to apply hyaluronic acid directly to your skin, it’s important to make sure that you follow up with a heavy-duty moisturizer to prevent moisture loss. This will ensure that the HA does its work without causing your skin to overcompensate for its dehydration.

A good way to get the most out of your hyaluronic acid is to layer it with other moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide, salicylic acid, or retinol. Then, apply in a thin layer after cleansing and before applying your serum or moisturizer to keep it stable throughout the day, suggests Kate Bancroft, Nurse and Founder of Face the Future’s CQC-regulated Advanced Skin Clinic & online shop.

For dry and dehydrated skin, Kate recommends using a hydrating product formulated with hyaluronic acid before applying a heavier moisturizer, such as cerave’s Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which contains three essential ceramides and soothing vitamin B5. It gets to work immediately, leaving your skin with long-lasting 24-hour hydration.

The hyaluronic acid in this formula is made with nano-hyaluronic acid, which has a low molecular weight and can penetrate the skin more effectively than traditional HA. This hydrates your skin and improves the look of fine lines, says Kate.

It can also help reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, which appear as wrinkles around the eyes. It can also help increase your natural collagen production and firm the contours of your facial skin.

Hyaluronic acid is safe for all skin types and is unlikely to cause any allergic reactions, which makes it a great option for everyone. Just remember to test a small amount first to see if you have any sensitivities before committing to using it on your entire face.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a naturally occurring humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin. It's derived from vegetable oil, animal fats, and petroleum and can be found in many skincare products.

It's a popular ingredient in moisturizers because it helps to keep skin soft and supple. It can also help to prevent dryness and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dry patches on the skin.

What's more, it's non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog pores), making it an excellent choice for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. It's also a good option for anyone who wants to protect their skin against environmental toxins or pollutants, as it can help to create a barrier against them.

Another great thing about glycerin is that it can be used on a wide range of skin types and conditions. It can hydrate very dry skin and help to reduce the appearance of roughness, it can lubricate the hands, and it can also be used to soothe irritated or damaged skin.

One of the reasons why glycerin is so popular is because it is a humectant, which means it can draw in and retain water from both deep within the skin and the air. This allows it to provide even better hydration than just using water alone.

When looking for a moisturizer with glycerin, it's important to choose a product that has a high concentration of the ingredient. This will ensure that you're getting the most benefit from this ingredient.

In addition to glycerin, Cerave moisturizing cream also includes purified water, which can help to add immediate moisture to the skin. It also contains petrolatum, which is a type of petroleum that can be used to seal in moisture and provide hydration.

Regardless of the ingredient, it's important to make sure that it's cruelty-free and free of animal testing. Cerave isn't Leaping Bunny certified, and the brand's parent company, L'Oreal, doesn't seek to be cruelty-free either, so it isn't a completely vegan-friendly brand.

In addition to glycerin, the Cerave Moisturizing Cream also contains other hydrating ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and glyceryl stearate SE. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent humectant that can draw in and retain water to keep the skin soft and hydrated, while glyceryl stearate will help to smooth the skin. Both are fantastic ingredients for all skin types, but they're especially good for dry skin.

Petrolatum

Petrolatum, the most common occlusive in beauty products, is a petroleum jelly-like oil made from mineral oils and waxes. It can be found in many products, from cosmetics to body lotions and even diaper rash creams.

It is inexpensive and easily accessible. It has a low melting point and softens immediately upon application, making it an excellent lubricant for use on hands, feet, elbows and other rough or dry areas of the body.

While it is generally safe to use, it does have some potential side effects like clogging pores and inflaming acne-prone skin. So if you're using it on your face, make sure you apply a separate moisturizer with a fatty acid (such as shea butter) to help protect against these effects.

Another great thing about petrolatum is that it's a natural lubricant for the skin, which makes it a good choice for those with sensitive or dry skin. It's also an effective occlusive, which prevents transepidermal water loss and helps increase hydration by locking in moisture.

In addition to preventing TEWL, petrolatum reduces the appearance of wrinkles and can improve skin tone by strengthening the skin's collagen and elastin. It also has antimicrobial properties and has been proven to help relieve itchiness.

Other popular ointments like Aquaphor and Vanicream also contain petrolatum. They also help keep your skin hydrated and reduce redness, flaking and itching caused by dryness.

Unlike the more watery formulas of a lotion, creams are usually heavier and thicker in texture, containing more oils such as petrolatum or shea butter. These are formulated for very dry skin and should be used after other moisturizing products, such as glycerin-based products or a gel-based product with hyaluronic acid, to lock in moisture and replenish the skin's natural barrier.

It is also beneficial to slather this ointment on the lips and other dry areas of your body, since it acts as a protective barrier that prevents further water loss. It's an effective solution for those with chapped lips or a drier complexion, and it works well on aging skin.

The ceramides in this cream work to increase skin hydration and decrease TEWL, but they don't act as occlusives like petrolatum. They're long chains of fatty acids that help seal in moisture and reduce the appearance of fine lines. They're also thought to increase the elasticity of skin and reduce inflammation, which may be particularly helpful for those with rosacea or other skin conditions that cause redness or irritation.