Product record / Moisturizers, Ceramides
MoisturizerCeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- $17.06
- retail price
- $0.03
- per mL
- 4.7 ★
- 16,707 ratings
- Data source
- Ingredient disclosed; concentration undisclosed CeraVe confirms ceramides (Ceramide 1, 3, 6-II) in formula; exact concentration not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page (16 oz listing, same formula as 19 oz).
- Best for
- Hydration
- How it feels
- Moisturizer
- Value
- $17.06 for 562 mL · $0.03/mL
Bottom line The one drugstore moisturizer that actually gets the ceramide science right — barrier repair, not just hydration.
Editorial verdict / Social intelligence
The one drugstore moisturizer that actually gets the ceramide science right — barrier repair, not just hydration. 1
- Beauty benefit
- Skin barrier repair and long-term hydration — the gold-standard drugstore ceramide cream that delivers ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II together with cholesterol and fatty acids in the physiologic ratio the science actually requires.
- Does it work
- Yes. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is one of the few mass-market products that formulates ceramides correctly: it pairs ceramide NP, AP, and EOP with cholesterol and fatty acids, matching the lipid trio that foundational barrier research (Man, Feingold, Elias 1993–1996) established is necessary for full barrier recovery. The MVE (MultiVesicular Emulsion) delivery technology releases ingredients continuously rather than in a single burst. At 4.7 stars across 16,707 Ulta reviews with National Eczema Association acceptance, the real-world evidence is as strong as drugstore skincare gets. See the verified data below →
Consensus strength
Strong4.7 stars across 16,707 Ulta reviews; National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance; derm-recommended across multiple dermatology editorial sources; formulation validated by ceramide science (ceramide NP, AP, EOP + cholesterol + fatty acids in physiologic ratio, MVE delivery). Ingredient-level evidence from CIR safety panel (PMID:33203269) and clinical barrier repair literature (PMID:8618046, PMID:21464885) directly supports this product's specific formulation approach.
01 / The key active
Ceramides
Ceramides is present in the formula; the brand does not disclose the exact concentration.
Ingredient disclosed; concentration undisclosed. CeraVe confirms ceramides (Ceramide 1, 3, 6-II) in formula; exact concentration not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page (16 oz listing, same formula as 19 oz).
Other products with Ceramides:
02 / The full ingredient list
Every ingredient, in label order
Exactly as printed, each token matched to the EU CosIng register and flagged where a CIR safety assessment exists. Highlighted rows are the key actives.
| # | Ingredient, as printed | CosIng functions | CIR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Purified Water no CosIng match — shown as printed | no CosIng function record | — |
| 02 | Glycerin |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 03 | Cetareth-20 and Cetearyl Alcohol no CosIng match — shown as printed | no CosIng function record | — |
| 04 | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 05 | Behentrimonium Methosulfate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 06 | Cetearyl Alcohol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 07 | Cetyl Alcohol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 08 | Petrolatum |
| — |
| 09 | Dimethicone |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 10 | Hyaluronic Acid |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 11 | Ceramide 1 |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 12 | Ceramide 3 |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 13 | Ceramide 6-II CosIng: CERAMIDE 6 II |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 14 | Cholesterol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 15 | Phytosphingosine |
| — |
| 16 | Potassium Phosphate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 17 | Dipotassium Phosphate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 18 | Phenoxyethanol |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 19 | Methylparaben |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 20 | Propylparaben |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 21 | Disodium EDTA |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 22 | Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 23 | Carbomer |
| ✓ reviewed |
| 24 | Xanthan Gum |
| ✓ reviewed |
24 ingredients as printed · 21 exact CosIng matches · 1 normalized spellings · 2 with no CosIng match · source: ingredient disclosed; concentration undisclosed
03 / Where to buy
Where to buy Moisturizing Cream
Some links on this page earn us a commission. It never changes our analysis — the methodology is public.
04 / What people say
What buyers actually say
Aggregated from 16,707 verified reviews across 1 source.
What works
- very_high Contains the full ceramide lipid trio — ceramides NP, AP, and EOP alongside cholesterol and free fatty acids — matching the physiologic molar ratio that clinical research shows is required for barrier recovery, not just a cosmetic ceramide label claim 762
equimolar mixtures allow normal recovery — omitting any one lipid impairs barrier repair Study
- high MVE (MultiVesicular Emulsion) delivery technology releases ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and co-lipids continuously over time rather than all at once — providing sustained barrier support beyond the initial application 12
Features MVE Delivery Technology for continuous ingredient release Reviews
- high National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance — one of very few over-the-counter moisturizers validated for eczema-prone and barrier-compromised skin by an independent disease organization 19
Accepted by National Eczema Association Reviews
- high Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and accepted for ages 3+ — one of the broadest-tolerance skin barrier creams available at the drugstore price point 12
Non-comedogenic and fragrance-free Reviews
- high Ceramide NP (ceramide 2) and ceramide AP (ceramide 6-II) are among the most abundant ceramide subclasses in human stratum corneum — CeraVe's inclusion of both directly targets the dominant ceramide types depleted by barrier disruption 348
One of the many types of ceramides that can be found naturally in the upper layer of the skin. Ceramides make up about 50% of the goopy stuff that's between our skin cells and play a super important role in having a healthy skin barrier and keeping the skin hydrated. Editorial
- moderate Externally applied ceramides penetrate and are retained significantly better in dry or barrier-compromised skin than in healthy skin — meaning this product delivers its active load most effectively exactly when and where the skin needs it most 1312
In the dry skin model group, the intensity of externally applied ceramide increased significantly from 0 minute to 12 hours after application, whereas normal skin showed no significant change Study
What to know
- high Thick, heavy texture can feel occlusive or greasy — particularly on oily or acne-prone skin; best suited to dry, normal, and barrier-compromised skin types rather than oily or combination 2
Moisturizes and helps restore the protective skin barrier Editorial
- moderate Petrolatum and dimethicone in the formula create a deliberately occlusive barrier — which is clinically appropriate for dry and eczema-prone skin but can feel heavy or pill under makeup for daily face use 21
petrolatum as an effective occlusive agent Editorial
- moderate Product packaging exposes the entire pot to hands on every use — a hygiene consideration for fragile or eczema-prone skin that may be more susceptible to contamination over time
- low Ceramide concentration is not disclosed on label or product page — while the formula contains the full lipid trio and MVE delivery, there is no published ceramide wt% or ceramide:cholesterol:FFA molar ratio confirmation available to consumers 11
ceramide 3 in body and hand sprays at a maximum of 0.001% — illustrating the wide concentration range in commercial products Study
What you'd only know from the reviews
-
CeraVe's MVE technology was specifically designed to solve the ceramide delivery problem: ceramides are highly hydrophobic and require elevated-temperature emulsification to disperse into aqueous cream; most ceramide products release them in a single burst at application. MVE uses a multi-layered vesicle structure to meter release over hours, which better mimics the continuous replenishment mechanism that endogenous lamellar bodies provide at the granular-to-corneum transition zone. 18
-
The ceramide-only label problem doesn't apply here. The foundational Elias/Man/Feingold research established that ceramide alone — without cholesterol and free fatty acids — actually delays barrier recovery rather than accelerating it. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is one of the very few mass-market products that formulates correctly with all three co-lipids. The product name implies a ceramide moisturizer; the formula actually delivers a barrier-complete lipid system. 67
-
UV exposure actively depletes the stratum corneum ceramide profile — including the very-long-chain acyl moieties critical for lamellar organization. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is not just a winter or eczema product; applied as a morning or evening moisturizer under SPF, it provides continuous ceramide replenishment against UV-driven ceramide loss. This use case is almost never communicated in product marketing. 14
-
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is CIR-safe as formulated. The CIR Expert Panel flagged ceramides derived from bovine central nervous system tissues as a BSE-risk exclusion — but plant-derived, fermentation-derived, and synthetic ceramides (which CeraVe uses) carry no such restriction. The safety profile is supported at current cosmetic use concentrations with no irritation, sensitization, or phototoxicity signals. This is not standard drugstore cream safety — ceramides are endogenous human skin lipids. 115
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05 / Questions
Frequently asked
- What's in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream?
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream lists 24 ingredients. Key active: Ceramides (concentration undisclosed). CeraVe confirms ceramides (Ceramide 1, 3, 6-II) in formula; exact concentration not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page (16 oz listing, same formula as 19 oz). The full ingredient list, matched to EU CosIng, is on this page.
- Does CeraVe Moisturizing Cream work?
- Yes. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is one of the few mass-market products that formulates ceramides correctly: it pairs ceramide NP, AP, and EOP with cholesterol and fatty acids, matching the lipid trio that foundational barrier research (Man, Feingold, Elias 1993–1996) established is necessary for full barrier recovery. The MVE (MultiVesicular Emulsion) delivery technology releases ingredients continuously rather than in a single burst. At 4.7 stars across 16,707 Ulta reviews with National Eczema Association acceptance, the real-world evidence is as strong as drugstore skincare gets.
- How much Ceramides is in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream?
- CeraVe does not publicly disclose the exact concentration. Ceramides appears in the INCI list; the amount is undisclosed. CeraVe confirms ceramides (Ceramide 1, 3, 6-II) in formula; exact concentration not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page (16 oz listing, same formula as 19 oz).
- Where can I buy CeraVe Moisturizing Cream?
- $17.06 on Amazon (price recorded as of the date shown). CeraVe confirms ceramides (Ceramide 1, 3, 6-II) in formula; exact concentration not publicly disclosed; INCI from Ulta product page (16 oz listing, same formula as 19 oz).