The 9 Best CeraVe Products That Dermatologists & Editors Have Trusted for Years

Let’s not beat around the bush. When it comes to skin care, people often judge based on appearances.

Products with eye-catching packaging are more likely to inspire enthusiasm than standard pump bottles.

Yet, we still come across products where we accept more minimalistic packaging in exchange for simple formulas.

CeraVe is dominating the skin care industry despite its somewhat clinical appearance.

There’s a reason why CeraVe is consistently recommended by dermatologists and industry experts: the brand works with dermatologists to develop its products.

And what better way to develop specially formulated serums, moisturizers, and cleansers than to get it straight from the source who understands skin?

Don’t get us wrong—we love a good viral skincare product as much as the rest of our #TikTokSkincare fans. But sometimes our preference for skin care is like our preference for wardrobe: going back to basics.

Experts often agree, too, and recommend CeraVe as an ideal solution, especially for sensitive skin. (In fact, we’ve heard a lot of praise for the brand on TikTok—proof that you don’t always need the latest, greatest product on the market.)

“In my practice, CeraVe is frequently recommended, especially for patients with acne and atopic dermatitis,” says Dr. Juliya Fisher, a dual-appointment dermatologist in Manhattan, New York.

“The products contain three essential ceramides to repair the barrier, which is often compromised in patients with atopic dermatitis.”

With CeraVe, you don’t have to worry about potential skin irritation, as all products are noncomedogenic and contain no fragrance, parabens, or sulfates.

Plus, according to CeraVe partner Kiran Mian, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, several products in the line are endorsed by the National Eczema Association, which is another reason the drugstore brand is a favorite among those with sensitive skin.

In short: From its hydrating cleanser to its resurfacing retinol serum, CeraVe offers everything your skin needs and nothing it doesn’t—and it’s affordable.

While you won’t get Tatcha-like packaging or luxurious formulas (Charlotte Tilbury, anyone?), you will get super-gentle products that are suitable for all skin types and can be used as part of your daily routine or after intensive skincare treatments like microneedling.

In addition to the simple packaging, the product names are clear and easy to remember—especially helpful if you’re just entering the confusing world of skincare.

Read on to learn about the best CeraVe products you should add to your skincare collection right away.

Hydrating Cleanser

Do you feel that sparkling clean feeling after washing your face? Yeah, that doesn’t mean your skin is clean—it just means it’s dry.

You won’t feel dehydrated after using the Hydrating Cleanser, a two-time Allure Best of Beauty Award winner known for its hyaluronic acid and tri-ceramide complex.

These ingredients work together to remove pore-clogging dirt and debris from the skin and replenish the skin’s moisture barrier.

Moisturizer

Dry skin doesn’t always feel as dehydrated as you think. That’s where CeraVe Moisturizer comes into play. The winner of the 2022 Allure Readers’ Choice Award eliminates any signs of dryness and flaking and delivers a hydrated complexion with a blend of hyaluronic acid and encapsulated ceramides.

This nourishing moisturizer has a thick, non-greasy texture and goes on super smoothly. Thanks to a patented system, the hydrating ingredients are released for up to 24 hours after washing off, so you can enjoy the moisturizing effects long after application.

Healing Salve

An essential part of dermatologists’ skincare routine, this healing salve has caused a sensation because it combats dry patches everywhere, from hands to lips to elbows or knees.

Just one swipe and you’ll feel instant and lasting relief—thanks to the formula’s thick, occlusive consistency, which coats your skin with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and petrolatum.

Ultra-Light Moisturizer with SPF 30

For oily skin, CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 is your absolute best choice. It protects your skin from harmful UV rays without the greasy feeling that many formulas leave behind.

It has the following features: It has a lightweight, matte finish that blends beautifully with makeup without looking puffy or flaky. If your skin tends to get oily easily, this SPF is the perfect way to beat the heat.

Renewing SA Cleanser

Whether you’re dealing with fresh or stubborn blemishes, it’s important to use a non-irritating formula that won’t exacerbate the problem – like the Renewing SA Cleanser. This gel-foaming cleanser is enriched with salicylic acid to deep-clean pores and smooth blemishes.

Meanwhile, vitamin D ensures skin is moisturized without drying it out. While most cleansers with BHA can dry out the skin, this one doesn’t have any coarse particles or beads that can cause micro-tears.

Psoriasis Moisturizer

If your skin often breaks out in red, scaly patches, you may have psoriasis, a skin condition where skin cells build up on top of each other, says Dr. Mian, who adds that dry skin often triggers psoriasis.

This soothing cream contains ceramides to repair skin, urea to soften rough patches, and salicylic acid to remove excess skin, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Applying the cream a few times a day can provide relief. If necessary, apply sunscreen during the day to counteract skin irritation caused by the peeling acids.

Eye Cream

There’s simply no such thing as the best eye cream at the drugstore — quite the opposite. “The skin around the eyelids is the thinnest on the body and is prone to dryness,” Dr. Mian explains to Allure.

That’s why this eye cream is so popular, as it uses time-release technology to moisturize the sensitive skin area all day long.

Not only does this gentle formula make your eye area look and feel fresher — it also relieves puffiness, dark circles, and fatigue, thanks to brightening niacinamide. It’s also more hygienic than most eye creams and easy to dose, thanks to its tube design.

Moisturizing Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30

There’s nothing more annoying than sunscreen sliding off, like a headband that won’t stay in place. Luckily, with CeraVe’s Moisturizing Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30, that’s not a problem.

According to Dr. Mian, it contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide — two protective ingredients that can ward off harmful UV rays.

If you have combination or oily skin, you’ll love the oil-free formula because it doesn’t leave streaks after blending. Pack it in your beach bag and protect your skin wherever you go.

Resurfacing Retinol Serum

If fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone are plaguing your life, the Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Resurfacing Retinol Serum is your solution. As New York dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein puts it, it’s “a great over-the-counter brightening serum.”

One of the key ingredients is niacinamide, a “powerful, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich vitamin B3 derivative that’s scientifically proven to reduce redness and discoloration,” says Dr. Marchbein. For normal, dry, or combination skin, it’s a welcome addition to your skincare routine.