Hi friends!
If you’re a) really into relatively low-cost yet effective skincare, or b) completely new to skincare, then I think you’ll love this post. I’ve tried my share of CeraVe skincare over the years, and I’ve really come to believe that they are one of the best affordable brands out there. That’s why I wanted to create this beginner’s guide to CeraVe skincare today. I say “beginner’s” because I’m in no way a skincare expert or certified in any way. I can’t spout off much about ingredients or formulation with any authority, so I tend to talk about skincare in a very simple, beginner’s kinda way. So if you’re like me, you’ll totally understand and take this post for what it is.
Now, that being said, from everything I’ve heard spoken about this brand from those more “in the know” like Nadine Baggott or Hyram Yarbro, CeraVe formulations are usually quite simple and pared-back in the best kind of way. If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills skincare regime without any fragrance, then look no further. Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe’s products primarily focus on strengthening your skin’s barrier repair through the power of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. And if you have eczema or sensitive skin, you’ll be happy to know that many of their products are approved by the National Eczema Association.
**Just to be clear, this is NOT an exhaustive guide of all CeraVe products; this is just a list of those that I have used. I have dry/dehydrated skin so everything here best suits that skin type (with the exception of one). They certainly have products for those with more combo/oily and acneic skin, as well as anti-aging retinols, sunscreens, and products for babies.
NOTE: all product descriptions are quoted from the brand’s website.
Without further delay let’s get into my Beginner’s Guide to CeraVe Skincare!
CLEANSER
CERAVE HYDRATING FACIAL CLEANSER
WHAT IT IS
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a gentle face wash with ingredients like ceramides which reinforce the barrier and help the skin lock in moisture, along with hyaluronic acid that attracts hydration to the skin’s surface.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser was developed with dermatologists to cleanse and refresh the skin without over-stripping it or leaving it feeling tight and dry. Featuring three types of essential ceramides to restore the skin’s barrier and hydrating hyaluronic acid, this non-comedogenic face wash is an effective yet non-irritating way to start off any skincare regimen for normal to dry skin—and it uses MVE Delivery Technology to supply the skin with a steady stream of nourishment throughout the day and night.
INGREDIENT LIST
Click here
WHO IT’S FORMULATED FOR
Those with normal-to-dry skin.
WHY I LOVE IT
Its gentleness and its effectiveness. I use half a pump, which I massage onto dry skin before adding a splash of water to emulsify. It has a very gentle lather, and most importantly, it doesn’t make my dry skin feel stripped or tight afterwards. My skin feels lightly hydrated, but very clean.
MY FULL REVIEW
Click here
PRICE RANGE
Depending on the size bottle, anywhere from $4.99 for 3 oz. to $15.99 for 16 oz.
BUY HERE
SERUM
CERAVE HYDRATING HYALURONIC ACID SERUM
A Beginner’s Guide to CeraVe Skincare, feat. the Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum (pictured here).
WHAT IT IS
Our serum formulated with hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to the skin’s surface, in turn smoothing skin and providing up to 24 hours of hydration. With three essential ceramides that restore and maintain your skin’s natural protective barrier and vitamin B5 to soothe dry skin, CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum provides the skin with much-needed moisture and more.
Designed for use on its own or layered with other moisturizers, this refreshing gel-cream formula replenishes hydration, restores the skin’s protective barrier and provides instantly smoother, softer skin. With our highest concentration of hyaluronic acid, three essential ceramides, soothing vitamin B5 and patented MVE Technology, this daily-use serum supplies the skin with up to 24 hours of moisture and nourishment. Immediately after use, 90% of consumers tested said their skin felt intensely hydrated, and 98% of consumers tested said their skin felt smoother after four weeks of use.
INGREDIENT LIST
Click here
WHO IT’S FORMULATED FOR
Those with normal-to-dry skin.
MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Full disclosure: I just started using this serum in my nightly routine so I cannot give my in-depth thoughts just yet; a full review will be forthcoming, for sure. But it has a moderately-thick gel-cream consistency that sinks in the skin quite quickly, and feels super hydrating. So hydrating in fact that you could almost skip moisturizer altogether if you’re not that dry. I have high hopes for this one! Will keep you posted!
PRICE RANGE
$16.99 – $18.99 for 30 mL
BUY HERE
EYE CREAM
CERAVE EYE REPAIR CREAM
WHAT IT IS
Eye puffiness and dark circles are among the most common eye-area skin concerns but a repair eye cream can help smooth and brighten this delicate skin. For optimal results with minimal irritation, look for an eye cream with ceramides that replenish the skin’s natural barrier, hyaluronic acid to plump up fine lines with extra hydration and soothing niacinamide. It’s also important to use an ophthalmologist-tested product such as CeraVe Eye Repair Cream that has been recognized as safe for use around the eyes.
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream features a Marine & Botanical Complex to help reduce the appearance of dark circles, eye puffiness and brighten the entire eye area. Suitable for all skin types, this non-greasy, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free eye cream also contains three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, plus patented MVE Delivery Technology that releases a steady stream of moisture for skin nourishment around the clock.
INGREDIENT LIST
Click here
WHO IT’S FORMULATED FOR
Technically, those that experience puffiness and/or dark circles. But anyone could benefit from this eye cream.
WHY I LOVE IT
The skin around your eyes is very thin and delicate. After I experienced a bad reaction to another brand’s eye cream earlier this year, I was looking for something simple and effective that I knew wouldn’t further irritate the area; this eye cream was perfect! It’s thick but still easy to blend into the skin – all I use is three small dots under each eye. The skin is left feeling super hydrated and smooth. I don’t have much puffiness or dark circles at the moment, so I can’t comment on whether it solves those issues.
MY FULL REVIEW
Click here.
PRICE RANGE
$10.75 – $15.99 for 0.5 oz.
BUY HERE
FACIAL MOISTURIZERS
CERAVE DAILY MOISTURIZING LOTION
A Beginner’s Guide to CeraVe Skincare, feat. the Daily Moisturizing Lotion (pictured here).
WHAT IT IS
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that helps hydrate the skin and restore its natural barrier. Formulated with three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this moisturizing lotion features patented MVE Technology for long-lasting hydration and a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula that won’t clog pores. Hypoallergenic and non-irritating, this daily moisturizer is gentle on the skin as it provides a steady stream of 24-hour hydration.
INGREDIENT LIST
Click here
WHO IT’S FORMULATED FOR
Those with normal-to-dry skin
WHY I LOVE IT
This is just an amazing all-rounder moisturizing lotion that’s lightweight, non-greasy yet still very effective. You can apply it just about anywhere on the body, including the face, and the skin continues to feel soft and moisturized hours later. It’s a beautiful lotion for any time of year.
PRICE RANGE
Depending on the size bottle, anywhere from $4.99 for 3 oz. to $15.99 for 16 oz.
BUY HERE
PM FACIAL MOISTURIZING LOTION
WHAT IT IS
Skin needs moisture around the clock. A night cream with niacinamide is ideal to soothe skin while you sleep. For maximum hydration and skin-barrier replenishment that helps the skin hold on to moisture, look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. We recommend a non-comedogenic nighttime moisturizer like CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion which has both ingredients and won’t clog pores or cause acne flare-ups.
Ideal for normal to oily skin, CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizer features three essential barrier-strengthening ceramides, hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing niacinamide in an oil-free, non-comedogenic formula. This rich yet lightweight night cream uses patented MVE Delivery Technology to deliver a steady stream of much-needed moisture throughout the night, and helps the skin hold on to it.
INGREDIENT LIST
Click here
WHO IT’S FORMULATED FOR
Those with normal-to-oily skin
WHY I LOVE IT
It’s lightweight, yet still very hydrating for me. I’d say the consistency here is slightly less thick and more airy than the Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Even though this is not formulated for my skin type, I still have enjoyed using it – albeit layered with other hydrating products – during the summer when my skin is not so dry.
MY FULL REVIEW
Click here
PRICE RANGE
$12.50 – $15.99 for 3 fl. oz.
BUY HERE
BODY CREAM
CERAVE DAILY MOISTURIZING CREAM
A Beginner’s Guide to CeraVe Skincare, feat. the Daily Moisturizing Cream (pictured here).
WHAT IT IS
A compromised skin barrier can lead to dryness and itching—and aggravate skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. A moisturizing cream can help reinforce the skin barrier with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, or a ceramide cream that replenishes essential skin barrier components.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream acts as both by effectively hydrating as it helps restore the skin’s protective barrier. Developed with dermatologists and ideal for dry and very dry skin on the face and body, this rich, non-greasy, fast-absorbing moisturizing cream features patented MVE Delivery Technology to release a steady stream of hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides throughout the day and night. Suitable for sensitive skin, this oil-free and fragrance-free ceramide cream also helps the skin hold on to moisture while improving its look and feel.
INGREDIENT LIST
Click here
WHO IT’S FORMULATED FOR
Those with very dry to dry skin
WHY I LOVE IT
I haven’t yet talked in length about this cream on here yet, but oh my gosh is it absolutely lovely! This is the thicker, most intense version of the Daily Moisturizing Lotion that’s best suited for those of us with really dry skin. I can definitely see this coming in handy during the wintertime when my skin just literally flakes off in the cold, dry air. However, that being said, I have used this several times this summer and although it’s super hydrating, it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin in the same way that Weleda Skin Food can, for instance. I’ve applied it to my arms and legs before bed and I don’t feel the slightest bit sticky in my sheets. It’s amazing!
PRICE RANGE
Depending on the size bottle, anywhere from $5.50 for 1.8 oz. to $18.99 for 16 oz.
BUY HERE
I hope you enjoyed my Beginner’s Guide to CeraVe Skincare! Please let me know in the comments if there are any CeraVe products that you love that I should try!
xo, and be well, Erica
PIN IT!
Such a great guide love! I needed it because CeraVe is new here and I really don’t know what to try. The serum and eye cream sound amazing!
So glad you liked it! I hope it can be helpful to you when you’re shopping their products. They are SUCH a solid brand, and I really can’t recommend them enough.
The daily moisturising lotion sounds like a great all rounder! So glad this brand works well for you 🙂
It is! Such a solid moisturizer that will hydrate but in no way irritate your skin.
I love their products but I haven’t seen the serum. I look forward to your review on it!
I didn’t see the serum for ages either, so when CVS had it in stock I almost jumped at it! Will pop up a review sometime next month 😊.
I love the Cerave Hydrating cleanser, it’s my go-to in the winter when it’s super cold out! I’ll have to keep that eye cream in mind, I’ll need a new one soon. Great post!
Thanks Cleia! Hope all is well with you! The cleanser has become a staple for me and I now won’t be without it. I’m nearing the end of my eye cream, and having trouble finding it in stock at my local drugstores – panic! I must keep searching…
Thank you, I’m doing well 🙂 Oh no, I hope you can find it soon! It’s the worst when a staple in your routine is out of stock. Keep looking!
I finally found some! Stocked up with three 😉
Wow they have a great range of products! I’d be interested in their eye cream and the hyaluronic acid serum 🙂 thanks for sharing 🙂
The eye cream is divine! I’ve already bought three back-up’s of the stuff! I still have yet to test the serum, but I will definitely be putting up a review when I do!