CeraVe is a skincare brand recommended by dermatologists to treat dry and sensitive skin. Their Moisturizing Lotion has now become a staple in my skincare routine since it is so good at hydrating dry skin. This post is my full review of the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion with what I love about this product, as well as what I don’t like.
If you have dry skin like I do, CeraVe or Cetaphil are my favourite brands for producing hydrating and non-irritating skincare products. Both companies are recommended by dermatologists and have products that treat a variety of skin concerns including atopic dermatitis, dry patches, red skin, or eczema.
I particularly love the CeraVe product line as all of their products contain three essential ceramides which help to restore and protect the skin’s natural barrier. After I started using CeraVe products I saw a noticeable difference in my skin tone, and my skin felt moisturised and more comfortable.
This post is my full review of the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Review
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. I try to make my reviews as helpful as possible for my readers. You can view my product selection and review process here.
What Does the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Do?
The CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion is a non greasy lotion designed to retain moisture in the skin throughout the day, and keep the skin barrier healthy and strong. The key ingredients in the product are ceramides (Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP and Ceramide EOP), hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), and glycerin.
Benefits of Ceramides in Skin Care
Ceramides make up 50% of the outer layer of our skin, and help to form a barrier to protect your skin from the environment. As we age the amount of ceramides in our skin decreases and this can result in drier skin, wrinkles and fine lines.
It is also believed that skin conditions such as eczema are as a result of a compromised skin barrier, and fewer ceramides in the skin.
Applying skincare products that contain ceramides has been proven to help reduce eczema, and protect the skin barrier, reducing dryness, fine lines, wrinkles and dullness. One study from 2008 showed that using skincare products containing ceramides had a significant effect in clearing mild to moderate eczema.
All CeraVe products, including their Moisturizing Lotion, contain three ceramides: Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP and Ceramide EOP. In fact, it’s the ceramides in CeraVe’s formulas that are the reason for the “Cera” in the brand’s name!
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in Skin Care
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that’s naturally found in the body. In the ingredients list of the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion it appears as “sodium hyaluronate”.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant so it helps the skin to retain water. It is the main component of your skin’s structure, and is responsible for making the skin look fuller and more hydrated.
Like with ceramides, the amount of hyaluronic acid in our bodies decreases as we get older. As the amount of hyaluronic acid in our skin reduces, the skin is more likely to start sagging or develop wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid also plays an important role in wound repair.
When applied to the skin in skincare products, hyaluronic acid can help to reduce wrinkles, hydrate the skin, treat eczema, reduce redness, increase skin elasticity, and speed up wound healing.
Who is the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion For?
Although the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion is recommended for dry skin, I feel that it could be used by all skin types.
I noticed that in the United Kingdom the CeraVe Moisturising Lotion is recommended for “Dry to Very Dry Skin” whereas in the United States the same product is recommended for “Normal to Dry Skin”.
I compared the ingredient lists between the two, and noticed that there were slight differences, with the UK version containing additional skin conditioning agents. The ingredients were, however, mostly the same.
I have very dry skin and found that the lotion did a good job of moisturizing my skin and reducing dry patches.
Eczema
The CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion has received the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association. In order to receive the seal of acceptance, a product must not include any ingredients which are known to irritate eczema or sensitive skin. CeraVe has actually received more seals of acceptance than any other skincare brand.
Oily Skin
The CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion is a lightweight and oil free moisturizer. For this reason it would suit not only dry skin, but also work well on oily or combination skin.
Acne Prone Skin
Since the lotion is non-comedogenic, oil-free and fragrance-free, it can be used safely on acne prone skin.
This lotion may not however be suitable for you if you suffer from fungal acne. This is because it contains cetearyl alcohol (also known as cetostearyl alcohol). A study published in 2019 showed that fungal acne (malassezia) grew in the presence of the fatty alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol.
Tattoos
I reached out to the CeraVe customer care center to ask their advice about using the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion on tattoos. They advised me that CeraVe do not have any products that are designed to be used as tattoo salves. You can see their response to my enquiry below.
How to Use the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
The CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion can be used as either a facial moisturizer or a body moisturizer. The bottle states to apply the product liberally as needed.
I personally use it mainly as a body lotion, as I prefer to use the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream on my face rather than the lotion. I have written a separate post which compares the differences between the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Lotion.
You can see from the photograph below that the lotion has a thin and watery consistency. I found that it absorbed well into the skin and didn’t leave any residue, or greasy film on the surface of my skin.
Although I prefer to use this lotion on my body, I found that it was also an excellent facial moisturizing lotion in the warmer months when you are more likely to be sweating. If I do use it on my face in the summer however, I always apply sun protection over the top.
Another thing I liked about this product was that it comes with a pump dispenser. This is more hygienic than dipping your fingers into a tub as it helps to keep germs and bacteria out.
I currently use this product as a daily moisturizer for my body as it does a good job at keeping my skin hydrated throughout the day. You don’t need to buy expensive products to keep your skin healthy. I would recommend this product to anyone with dry skin who wants a basic and affordable drugstore moisturizer.
Pros and Cons of the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
Overall I had a good experience with this product however I would recommend the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream over the lotion for the colder months since the cream is more moisturizing and protective.
Pros
- Comes in a hygienic pump bottle
- Protects and repairs the skin barrier
- Moisturises the skin throughout the day
- Feels comfortable on the skin
- Absorbs well
- Fragrance free
- Has the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association
Cons
- Not suitable if you have fungal acne
- Less protective in the winter compared to the cream
- Not moisturising enough for my face
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Ingredients
According to the CeraVe website, their ingredient lists are updated regularly, so you should check the ingredient list on your product bottle for the most up to date information. The ingredient list below is from my product which was purchased in the United Kingdom.
Full Ingredients
Aqua/Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ethylhexyglycerin, Potassium Phosphate, Disodium Edtae, Dipostassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ceramide EOP.
What Sets the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Apart from its Competitors?
There are several other different skincare brands that make lotions for dry and sensitive skin. These brands are also recommended by dermatologists and contain fragrance free formulas and won’t irritate the skin. Some of the main competitors to CeraVe include Aveeno, Cetaphil, Vanicream and Eucerin.
I have compared the CeraVe Moisturising Lotion with similar lotions made by these brands. When comparing the products I looked at their key ingredients, which skin type they were designed for, and whether they were fragrance free and non-comedogenic. I also checked to see if they had received the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Associaiton. My findings are shown in the comparison table below.
Comparison Table
Last update on 2024-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Out of all five products that I compared, the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion was the only one which is fragrance free, non-comedogenic and has the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association.
The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion was the only other out of the five that was also non-comedogenic. For this reason both the CeraVe product and the Cetaphil product can be used on oily or acne prone skin.
The Aveeno and Eucerin lotions both contain shea butter which could clog the pores and is not a good ingredient for acne prone skin types. Similarly, the Vanicream lotion contains Petrolatum (petroleum jelly), which is an ingredient also known to block the pores.
For me personally, the CeraVe lotion is the clear winner if you have very dry skin as it’s fragrance free, moisturising, and available at a very affordable price.
If you have normal, dry, or combination skin and you don’t suffer from acne, you may want to try the Aveeno or Vanicream lotions since they contain shea butter which is good at toning and soothing the skin. Personally, I liked the CeraVe lotion better because it has no fragrance, unlike the Aveeno and Vanicream products.
If you are prone to redness and inflammation, the Cetaphil lotion has the most minimal formula. It is also specifically designed with sensitive skin types in mind.
Where You Can Buy the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
You can buy the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion at Amazon, Boots, Superdrug and FeelUnique.
- ESSENTIAL CERAMIDES: Contains 3 essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) to help protect the skin’s...
- ALL DAY HYDRATION: Formulated with patented MVE Technology to release skin nourishing ingredients...
- MOISTURE RETAINING INGREDIENTS: Formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain skin's natural...
Last update on 2024-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
FAQs About the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
Can I use CeraVe Moisturising lotion on my face?
Yes, the CeraVe Moisturising Lotion can either be used on the body or face.
Does Cerave Moisturizing Lotion have Niacinamide?
No, the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion does not have Niacinamide in it. If you want a CeraVe moisturizer with niacinamide, try the AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen, or the PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.
Does CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion lighten skin?
No, there are no ingredients in the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion which will lighten the skin. If you want a moisturiser that will lighten the skin and reduce dark spots, try one of the CeraVe products which contains niacinamide. Niacinamide has been shown in clinical studies to decrease hyperpigmentation and lighten dark marks.
Does Cerave Moisturizing Lotion contain parabens?
The CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion that I purchased in the United Kingdom does not contain parabens, however I noticed on the US website that the ingredients list showed parabens. Check the product label on the bottle for the most accurate information as it seems that CeraVe’s formulations differ by country.
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This Post was a Review of the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
Thank you for reading my review of the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion. The Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion is a great product if you are looking for something that could be both a face moisturizer and a body cream. I felt it gave me 24-hour hydration and helped my skin stay smooth. It’s also ultra lightweight and can be used on the entire body.
- What Does the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Do?
- Who is the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion For?
- How to Use the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
- Pros and Cons of the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
- CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Ingredients
- What Sets the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Apart from its Competitors?
- Where You Can Buy the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion