Can CeraVe cream be used on the face?

What does CeraVe Moisturizing Cream do?

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream hydrates skin and helps support its protective barrier, the outer layer that keeps moisture in. The US formula includes glycerin, petrolatum, three ceramides and sodium hyaluronate, a form of hyaluronic acid. CeraVe describes the texture as rich but not greasy. Check your package for the current ingredients, especially if you are avoiding a particular ingredient: formulas are updated.123

Is it right for your skin type?

Dry skin generally benefits from a cream because creams preserve more moisture than lotions. If your face is oily and the cream feels too heavy, consider a lighter gel. For combination skin, apply moisturizer to dry areas rather than automatically covering oily areas. Facial use is allowed; compulsory coverage of every square centimetre is not part of the arrangement.4

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is fragrance free and accepted by the National Eczema Association. If you have sensitive or eczema prone skin and are unsure about using it on your face, a dermatologist can help you choose a suitable moisturizer. Facial skin is generally thinner than body skin, so a body product's facial suitability needs checking rather than assuming.1

How do you apply it to your face?

1. 1Cleanse your face, then gently pat it until it is damp rather than completely dry.
2. 2If your cream comes in a tub, remove it with a clean spoon or spatula to reduce contamination.
3. 3Smooth the cream gently over the skin rather than rubbing hard.
4. 4Use it daily, in the morning or evening, and reapply when your skin feels dry or tight.

Applying moisturizer to damp skin helps trap water. For daytime protection, include a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, along with shade and protective clothing. Moisturizing Cream and CeraVe's AM lotions with SPF are separate products, despite sharing a surname.234

Can you use it if you have acne?

Acne does not automatically mean you should skip moisturizer. Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, adapalene, tretinoin and isotretinoin can dry and irritate skin; daily moisturizing can help skin tolerate these treatments. Choose a moisturizer labelled noncomedogenic, meaning designed not to clog pores, or oil free. These descriptions indicate that a moisturizer is unlikely to cause acne, not that breakouts are impossible.6

Face products can contribute to clogged pores, so new bumps deserve attention rather than an automatic increase in cream. If clogged pores are a recurring problem, a lighter, oil free moisturizer is an option. Contact a doctor for acne that is painful, inflamed, infected or filled with pus.7

What if you use prescriptions or develop irritation?

If you use a steroid cream or another treatment for a skin condition, general emollient guidance is to leave 20 to 30 minutes between the moisturizer and treatment. Ask your doctor which goes first. This spacing helps avoid diluting the treatment or spreading it onto areas that do not need it.5

Persistent burning or stinging, inflamed hair follicles or a facial rash are reasons to speak with a pharmacist or doctor about the moisturizer. See a dermatologist if dryness does not improve or becomes painful, cracked or bleeding. For emollient safety, keep treated fabrics away from flames and cigarettes: residue on clothing and bedding can make them catch fire more easily.45