Ah CeraVe, how we love thee. Your minimalist approach to skincare, your dermatologist-approved formulas and your purse-friendly price points. We’re so grateful that you crossed over the pond from the US in 2018 to grace our faces with your gentle presence. Developed by dermatologists back in 2005, CeraVe’s line of skincare products champion three essential ceramides (ceramides 1, 3 and 6-II). For the uninitiated, ceramides are a class of fatty acids called lipids that help to restore moisture and protect the skins barrier against harmful environmental aggressors (read all about ceramides wondrous skincare benefits here).
A real superstar ingredient, CeraVe’s dermatologists combined these three ceramides with a revolutionary delivery system (named MultiVesicular Emulsion Technology) that slowly releases the hydrating ingredients over the course of 24 hours. In 2006, CeraVe launched into the mainstream with three core products; CeraVe Moisturising Cream, £16, CeraVe Moisturising Lotion, £9.50, and CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £9.50.
Now, after a little makeover, the cult US skincare brand has a full collection of products spanning from four different cleansers (including the CeraVe Hydrating Cream-To-Foam Cleanser, £12.50) to lotions and moisturisers as well as eye cream, that have all garnered a huge fan base. In fact, Google searches for CeraVe have increased a whopping 643% over the past year alone with so many dermatologists, beauty editors and celebrities alike praising the products. Read on to find out more about the collection as well as Team Grazia’s top picks…
What are the best CeraVe products? Shop our favourite picks below...
Best CeraVe Skincare Products
1 of 7CeraVe Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £17
'If you're after a new hydrating hero that's packed full of hyaluronic acid, you needn't look any further. This incredible serum has a refreshing gel-cream texture that melts into skin, plumping it up and locking in moisture. Asides from HA, there's also skin-strengthening ceramides and vitamin b5 to soothe irritation. A daily essential, I recommend massaging a few drops onto freshly cleansed skin, after a generous spritzing of face spray' – Emma Stoddart, Senior Beauty Writer
2 of 7CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser, £12
'It took a while to come to the UK, but I'd read the reviews ahead of its launch and couldn't wait to try. It cleanses gently and offers up just the right amount of exfoliation for my combination skin. My skin is sensitive and yet breakout prone and normally I can't do wrong for doing right! But this cleanser struck just the right note' - Annie Vischer, Beauty Editor
3 of 7CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £9.50
'This cleanser ticks ALL of my boxes, doing away with make-up without stripping the skin of natural oils. It's hydrating formula leaves skin feeling fresh and clean, and it's not loaded with unnecessary fragrances or ingredients. Simple cleansing is always best IMO' - Joely Walker, Beauty & Health Director
4 of 7CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25, £13
'Whenever I overdo it with the acids and retinol (which is quite often), I'll quickly turn my face to this ultra lightweight, silky cream that soothes and calms skin, quickly taking down any redness. And with added SPF, it's a brilliant day time option' - Emma Stoddart, Senior Beauty Writer
5 of 7CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, £9.50
Loved by our Fashion & Beauty Editor, Hannah Banks-Walker, this gel-like cleanser transforms into a weightless foam that takes off the day without stripping the skin of its natural oils. It's ideal for sensitive and oily skin types.
6 of 7CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser, £12.50
'If you love a cleanser that lathers up but hate the dry feeling that often comes after, turn your face to CeraVe's brand new cream-to-foam cleanser. The gentle cream foams up to take off the day while hydrating skin with hyaluronic acid and amino acids' - Emma Stoddart, Senior Beauty Writer
7 of 7CeraVe Moisturising Lotion, £9.50
A firm favourite for us all, this gentle moisturising lotion can be applied from head to toe for a boost of hydration that leaves skin feeling smooth and supple.
Are CeraVe products good?
Two words: hell yes. If your skin feels especially dry or irritated, they're great at helping to reduce moisture loss, increasing hydration and protecting the skin's natural barrier. Try the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion, £13, for a lightweight veil of long lasting hydration blended with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
If your skin is sensitive, rest assured the products are all fragrance free and non-irritating. Whereas certain cleansers will give you that squeaky clean 'I've just disrupted my skin's barrier' feeling, CeraVe cleansers will not. We'd suggest the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser, £9.50, for sensitive and dry skin as it's super soothing and will gently take off the day. Also, you'll find the products are all non-comedogenic, meaning that they won't clog pores so work equally well on oily and spot-prone skin. The CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser, £12, with salicylic acid is the best choice for banishing blemishes.
As well as calming, soothing and treating skin, CeraVe products generally do exactly what they say on the bottle (or tub) without any frills or claims that aren't back by science. They're a brand you can definitely trust and with every product coming in at under £20, it's no wonder they are loved the world over.
Are CeraVe products vegan and cruelty free?
The entire UK range is vegan but some of the range in the US and Canada is not, however CeraVe are working towards being 100% vegan by 2021. The majority of the products that come over here to the UK are reformulated to suit EU/UK regulations. And none of the products are tested on animals.
READ MORE: Beauty Lingo Decoded: What Are Ceramides And How Do They Help Our Skin?
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