CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
A thick, fragrance-free cream with ceramides, cholesterol and petrolatum. It suits dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin on the face and body. On oily or acne-prone faces it can feel heavy.
Reviewed by Dr. Schwarz, MD · Dermatologist
A dermatologist’s take
Recommend.
An excellent basic moisturizer for dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid hydrate, petrolatum prevents water loss. Buy the pump rather than the tub. For extremely sensitive skin I usually recommend Vanicream, and for oily skin a lighter lotion.
Pros
- No added fragrance
- Good fit for dry skin
- Good fit for eczema-prone skin
Cons
- Rich texture may feel heavy on oily skin
- Thick layers can pill under sunscreen
Skin fit
Who is it best for?
Dry skin
Good fitFace, body and hands, year-round.
Eczema-prone skin
Good fitDaily use between flares. It doesn’t replace treatment during a flare.
Sensitive skin
Good fitNo fragrance or essential oils.
Babies and children
Good fitWidely used for infant eczema. Ask a pediatrician about newborns.
Normal skin
Okay fitWorks, but can feel rich in hot, humid weather.
Keratosis pilaris
Okay fitSoftens skin, but the bumps need urea, lactic acid or salicylic acid.
Oily skin
Poor fitFeels heavy on the face. A gel or light lotion suits better.
Acne-prone face
Poor fitRich creams can clog pores in some people. Test a small area, or use a lighter lotion.
Feel & smell
What does it feel like?
Rubs in
In 2–3 minutes on damp skin. Longer on dry skin.
Finish
Soft and slightly dewy. Not sticky once absorbed.
Under sunscreen
Fine in a thin layer. A heavy layer can pill.
Inside the formula
What do the main ingredients do?
More ingredient roles
How this formula works.
A moisturizer has three moves, and only three: put water into the bricks, replace the glue, or seal the wall. Most creams manage one or two. This one does all three, using the reference-standard ingredient for each job rather than a token amount of something fashionable.
Full clinical explanation
A moisturizer has three moves, and only three: put water into the bricks, replace the glue, or seal the wall. Most creams manage one or two. This one does all three, using the reference-standard ingredient for each job rather than a token amount of something fashionable.
That is why a cheap drugstore tub holds its own against creams costing ten times as much. A randomized trial found an over-the-counter moisturizer as effective as prescription barrier creams in children with eczema, and much cheaper.
Full ingredient list · 24 ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Petrolatum, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin
All ingredient roles
Glycerin
A small humectant. It moves into the outer layer of skin and holds water there.
Cetearyl Alcohol
A fatty alcohol that softens skin and thickens the product. Despite the name, it is not drying.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A light oil made from coconut oil and glycerin. It smooths and softens the surface.
Cetyl Alcohol
Another fatty alcohol. It softens skin and gives the product body.
Petrolatum
Forms a thin film on top of the skin that slows water loss while the barrier recovers.
Ceramide NP
One of the main fats between skin cells in the outer layer. It helps refill gaps in the barrier.
Ceramide AP
A second skin ceramide. It works with the others to rebuild the barrier.
Ceramide EOP
A long-chain ceramide that helps the barrier fats stack into tight, orderly layers.
Dimethicone
A silicone that smooths the surface and adds to the protective film.
Sodium Hyaluronate
A form of hyaluronic acid. Its molecule is large, so it stays on the surface and holds water there.
Cholesterol
A barrier fat that works alongside ceramides. The barrier needs both to repair well.
Phytosphingosine
A building block skin uses to make its own ceramides.
Water
The base the other ingredients are dissolved in. Most of it evaporates soon after the product goes on.
Ceteareth-20
An emulsifier. It keeps the oil and water parts from separating.
Potassium Phosphate
A buffer that keeps the product at a skin-friendly pH.
Carbomer
A thickener that gives the product its texture.
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
An emulsifier that also helps the product spread and feel smooth.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
An emulsifier that helps hold the ceramides in the formula.
Phenoxyethanol
The preservative. It stops bacteria and mold from growing in the product.
Disodium EDTA
Binds minerals in the water so the preservative works better and the formula stays stable.
Dipotassium Phosphate
A second buffer that keeps the pH steady.
Tocopherol
Vitamin E, an antioxidant. Here it mainly keeps the oils in the product from going rancid.
Xanthan Gum
A thickener that keeps the texture even.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Helps the preservative work and softens the feel of the product.
More about the formula
No Nothing in it goes deeper than the barrier. It repairs and protects the outer layers; it doesn’t change how skin cells behave. If many products irritate you, patch test on the inner arm first.
Use & results
How to use it.
Short, warm shower
Pat dry and leave skin slightly damp.
Apply within 3 minutes
Seals in the water before it evaporates.
Keep the jar clean
Use a clean scoop, or buy the pump.
Repeat at bedtime
And on hands after washing.
Underneath
Water-based serums and treatments.
On top, in the morning
Sunscreen, after a 5-minute wait.
For cracked patches
A thin layer of ointment at night.
Within days
Skin feels less tight and rough.
Over weeks
With daily use, eczema-prone skin tends to flare less often.
How long a tub lasts
Depends on how much skin you cover. Body use empties it fastest.
It stung or burned — Try this
Your skin barrier is probably broken or cracked. Use plain petrolatum until it heals, then try again.
It broke me out — Try this
It may be too rich for your face. Keep it for your body and use a lighter lotion on your face.
It pilled under sunscreen — Try this
Use less, and wait about 5 minutes before applying sunscreen or makeup.
It felt greasy — Try this
Apply to damp skin and use a pea-sized amount for the face. In summer, switch to the lotion.
My skin is still dry — Try this
Apply within 3 minutes of bathing, twice a day. For very dry patches, add an ointment at night.
I got an itchy rash — Stop using it
Stop using it. This can be an allergy to an ingredient. See a dermatologist if it doesn’t settle.
Price spectrum
Where does the price fall?
Paying more doesn’t guarantee better results. A good buy is a formula with the right ingredients, strength and texture for your skin. Use price per ounce to compare cost, then weigh it against the pros and cons above.
The product line
Which CeraVe product should you choose?
CeraVe’s range includes basic moisturizers, cleansers and products with treatment ingredients. Ceramides are a recurring feature, but the formulas serve different purposes. Choose a plain cream for moisture, or a targeted formula when you also need an acne, roughness or other treatment active.
Healing Ointment
The heaviest. 46.5% petrolatum, and the only one with a Drug Facts panel. For cracked skin on small areas.
Intensive Moisturizing Cream
Richer than this one, with urea and shea.
Moisturizing Cream
The middle of the range, and the one that suits most dry skin.
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
The lightest. Oil-free, for normal skin or warm weather.
More about the lineup
CeraVe's leave-on moisturizers run from an ointment to a light lotion, all with the same three ceramides.
Alternatives
If it didn’t work for you
CeraVe Healing Ointment
For cracked, raw or very dry patches. Thicker and greasier.
Read the review →
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
Same idea in a thinner lotion. Better for the body in warm weather.
CeraVe PM Facial Lotion
Light, with niacinamide. For oily or acne-prone faces.
Read the review →
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
A similar thick cream with a shorter list of possible irritants.
Read the review →
Plain petrolatum
Seals in water very well. No ceramides, and feels greasy.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair
Lighter face moisturizer with ceramides and niacinamide.
Read the review →Questions
Before you buy
Can I use it on my face?
Yes, if your skin is dry or normal. If you’re acne-prone, test it on one area first or use CeraVe PM Facial Lotion.
Cream or lotion?
The cream is thicker and better for eczema and very dry skin. The lotion spreads faster and suits warm weather.
Tub or pump?
Same formula. The pump keeps fingers out of the product.
Will it help an eczema flare?
It helps prevent flares. An active flare usually needs a prescription anti-inflammatory as well.
Is it safe for babies?
It’s fragrance-free and widely used for infant eczema. Ask your pediatrician before using it on a newborn.
Does it have fragrance?
No. It also has no essential oils, lanolin or drying alcohol.
Sources
Sources and further reading
- Ridd MJ, et al. Effectiveness and safety of lotion, cream, gel, and ointment emollients for childhood eczema: a pragmatic, randomised, phase 4, superiority trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2022;6(8):522–532.
- Coderch L, et al. Ceramides and skin function. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(2):107–129.
- Draelos ZD. The effect of ceramide-containing skin care products on eczema resolution duration. Cutis. 2008;81(1):87–91.
Keep exploring
Keep exploring.
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe Healing Ointment
Acne
Dry Skin
Keratosis Pilaris
Eczema
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion
Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Cream
