CeraVe Moisturizing Cream — Efficacy 4.5/5.0, Safety 4.8/5.0 | DemythSkin
++++
[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

MoisturizerBarrier Repair
Efficacy
Exceptional
4.5 / 5.0
Safety
Excellent
4.8 / 5.0
System Verdict
Rock-solid barrier cream, not a flashy treatment. The efficacy score is driven by a strong moisturizer base: glycerin high in the list, then petrolatum, dimethicone, ceramides, cholesterol, sodium hyaluronate, and phytosphingosine for humectancy plus barrier support. It scores well because the formula is structurally sound for hydration and barrier repair, with no gimmicky actives; it does not score higher because there are no high-potency treatment ingredients and the ceramides are supportive rather than a concentrated repair system.
Active Ingredients Detected
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
GlycerinPetrolatumCeramide NPCeramide APCeramide EOPSodium HyaluronateCholesterolTocopherolPhytosphingosine
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
Potassium PhosphateBehentrimonium MethosulfateSodium Lauroyl LactylateDipotassium Phosphate
What Each Ingredient Does
Aqua / Water / Eau
solvent
Glycerin
humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
emollient, thickener
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
emollient, thickener
Ceteareth-20
emulsifier
Petrolatum
occlusive barrier
Potassium Phosphate
buffering agent
Ceramide NP
barrier lipid
Ceramide AP
barrier lipid
Ceramide EOP
barrier lipid
Carbomer
thickener
Dimethicone
skin protectant
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
conditioning emulsifier
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
emulsifier
Sodium Hyaluronate
humectant
Cholesterol
barrier lipid
Phenoxyethanol
preservative
Disodium EDTA
chelating agent
Dipotassium Phosphate
buffering agent
Tocopherol
antioxidant
Phytosphingosine
barrier-support lipid
Xanthan Gum
thickener
Ethylhexylglycerin
preservative booster
Full Ingredient List (INCI)

AQUA / WATER / EAU, 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

Frequently Asked

Is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream worth it?

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream scores 4.5 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Exceptional) and 4.8 out of 5.0 for safety (Excellent) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. Rock-solid barrier cream, not a flashy treatment. The efficacy score is driven by a strong moisturizer base: glycerin high in the list, then petrolatum, dimethicone, ceramides, cholesterol, sodium hyaluronate, and phytos

What are the key active ingredients in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream?

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains no gold-standard actives — its formula is built on supporting and base ingredients rather than clinically transformative actives.

Does CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. It scores 4.8 out of 5.0 for safety.

How is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

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Analysis last updated: 2026-08-21. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score. DemythSkin earns commission from affiliate links (Amazon Associates and others). Scores are computed before any commercial relationship — the link follows the verdict, never the other way around.