Does CeraVe PM contain niacinamide?

What does niacinamide do in CeraVe PM?

Niacinamide helps support the skin barrier, the protective outer layer that helps keep moisture in. It may also calm skin and reduce transepidermal water loss, meaning water escaping through the skin. In PM, niacinamide sits alongside ceramides that help maintain the barrier and hyaluronic acid that attracts moisture to the skin's surface. The lotion is designed to provide continuing hydration through the night, rather than act as a separate niacinamide serum.13

How much niacinamide does CeraVe PM contain?

CeraVe does not specify a niacinamide percentage in the PM product details here. Niacinamide appears fourth in the displayed PM ingredient list, after water, glycerin and caprylic/capric triglycerides, but no concentration is given. If you are choosing a product for a particular niacinamide strength, PM's ingredient list does not provide that number.1

CeraVe updates ingredient lists regularly. The 52 ml Facial Moisturising Cream sold through CeraVe's Africa website also lists niacinamide, but its name and directions differ from the explicitly named PM lotion: it is labelled for normal to dry skin and application as often as needed.45

How do you use CeraVe PM?

1. 1Cleanse your face before bed.
2. 2Apply any facial serum before your moisturizer.
3. 3Apply CeraVe PM liberally to your face and neck at night, or follow your physician's directions.

PM's moisturizing delivery system is designed for hydration lasting up to 24 hours. That describes moisture delivery, not a deadline for visible changes from niacinamide. There is no stated schedule here for improvements in skin appearance. The PM lotion is described as lightweight, oil free and fragrance free, with the PM specific listing positioning it for normal to oily skin.12

Does CeraVe AM contain the same ingredients as CeraVe PM?

CeraVe AM SPF 50 and PM share niacinamide, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, but they are not the same formula. AM SPF 50 includes sunscreen filters for daytime sun protection. The AM and PM names describe different jobs, which is unusually efficient work for two letters.24

Choose PM for nighttime moisturizing. Choose AM SPF 50 if you want a morning moisturizer that also provides sunscreen protection, and use it as the final step of your daytime skincare routine. For swimming or sweating, CeraVe directs you to use a water resistant sunscreen.4

What if you want to avoid niacinamide?

CeraVe PM is not a niacinamide free option. Switching to CeraVe AM SPF 50 or Ultra Light Moisturizing Gel would not remove niacinamide either: both contain it. Check the complete ingredient list of any replacement before choosing it.134