There’s a common question in the skincare community: “Can you put CeraVe Moisturizing Cream on your face?”.
Short answer: yes. Long answer: yes, but it may be too thick for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a thick, rich moisturizer known for its ability to nourish your protective skin barrier and soothe discomfort. While it’s often used as a body moisturizer, you can also use it as a facial moisturizer.
In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and how to use it.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Overview
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream has earned its place as a trusted skincare staple for many people with dry skin. It’s well-known for its hydrating properties and ability to support your skin’s moisture barrier.
Here’s what you need to know:
It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients like essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and cholesterol that work together to nourish and promote a healthy skin barrier
It has a rich, creamy texture that soaks into your skin quickly and provides long-lasting hydration without any sticky or greasy feeling
It’s fragrance-free and non-comedogenic making it suitable for people with sensitive skin and unlikely to clog pores
It can be used on both your face and body twice daily or as needed
So, while it’s commonly used as a body moisturizer, it has a gentle formula that makes it suitable for your face as well.
Of course, understanding how to use it in your skincare routine is the key to reaping its many benefits.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a thick, rich moisturizer known for its ability to nourish your protective skin barrier and soothe discomfort. You'll love how this cream softens your skin for a luxurious experience that doesn't break the bank.
Key Ingredients
Understanding the ingredients in CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is essential to understand why it’s such a great choice for your skincare routine. Here are some of the heavy-hitters:
Ceramides: CeraVe is known for formulating with the three essential ceramides. Ceramides are lipids naturally found in your skin, and they play a crucial role in painting your skin’s natural moisture barrier by locking in moisture and protecting against environmental aggressors.
Hyaluronic acid: A hydrating ingredient known for its ability to attract and retain moisture up to 1,000 times its weight in water
Cholesterol: Works alongside ceramides to maintain the integrity of your skin’s stratum corneum and prevent transepidermal water loss
Glycerin: A humectant that helps bind water to your skin’s surface, supporting hydration levels and making your skin plump
Petrolatum: an occlusive and skin protectant that forms a barrier on your skin’s surface and helps lock in hydration
So, you can see why this is one of the best facial moisturizers for dry skin. It’s so nourishing that it even makes a great moisturizer to use with PanOxyl or tretinoin.
I love how this body cream is free free common allergens and fragrances; it’s got all of the good stuff and none of the bad!

Texture
The texture of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream sets it apart from its competitors. It strikes a unique balance between richness and absorbability.
Here’s what you can expect:
When you first scoop it out of the jar, you’ll notice its thick, creamy consistency
Despite how thick it is, you’ll notice that it spreads and absorbs easily into your skin
It has a non-greasy finish and doesn’t leave any sticky residue once it absorbs
Because it’s so thick, a little goes a long way. You don’t need a ton of this cream for effective moisturization
This cream is far heavier than the traditional CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion or CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, making it ideal for those with dry skin or for use in winter.

Scent
Like most CeraVe products, this moisturizer is fragrance-free. That’s a significant advantage for people with sensitive skin conditions.
Fragrances in skincare products can sometimes lead to sensitivities or allergies, particularly for people with sensitive or eczema-prone skin. By eliminating fragrance from the equation, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is an excellent choice for people who want to minimize the risk of irritation.
In fact, CeraVe is certified by the National Eczema Association for making such great products for people with sensitive skin.

Efficacy
I’m a huge fan of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for its long-lasting hydration and nourishing moisturization capabilities.
Whenever I apply it after a shower on damp skin, I can almost immediately feel how it soothes my dry, cracked skin. I go through a few tubs every winter because I like to apply liberally.
Whether you have dry skin all over or just some specific areas that need attention, this cream can provide relief and comfort without a doubt.
Of course, I also appreciate that it’s non-comedogenic because my dry, acne-prone skin doesn’t always react well to thicker creams.
Overall, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a great budget-friendly moisturizer that works well for soothing uncomfortable, dry skin.

Who is CeraVe Moisturizing Cream good for?
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a versatile moisturizer that can benefit people for all skin types. In particular, it can help:
people with dry or dehydrated skin
sensitive skin
eczema-prone skin
those looking for a 2-in-1 body and facial moisturizer
people with fragrance sensitivities
It’s truly a reliable moisturizer that caters to a wide range of skincare requirements.

Benefits of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream offers tons of benefits that can contribute to healthier, well-hydrated skin.
Here’s what you can expect when you incorporate this cream into your skincare routine:
deep hydration
skin barrier support
comfort and relief from dryness
a gentle, non-comedogenic formulation
a versatile moisturizer for face or body
Plus, this cream offers you total customizable care. You can tailor your skincare routine simply by adjusting the amount of frequency of cream application as you see fit.

How to Apply CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
To properly apply this cream in your skincare routine, follow these steps:
First, wash your face with a hydrating cleanser
Apply your retinol serum (night) or vitamin C serum (morning)
While your skin is damp, apply about a nickel-sized amount of cream
Gently rub in cream until absorbed
And there ya go – it’s that simple! You can use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream twice daily or as often as needed.

Pros and Cons of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream offers plenty of advantages that contribute to its popularity among skincare enthusiasts. Here are the pros:
deep hydration
skin barrier support
fragrance-free formula
non-comedogenic
dermatologist-recommended
National Eczema Association-approved
and versatile use

That, said there are also some cons:
While the rich texture is perfect for managing dry skin, some people may find it too heavy for facial use, especially those with oily skin or those living in warm climates
Not everyone likes the jar packaging. While it’s convenient, some people will find moisturizers with a pump to be more hygienic, such as CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM
By understanding these pros and cons, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is right for you.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream vs. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe offers a range of moisturizing products, and two of the most popular choices are the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion.
The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is rich and suitable for people with dry or very dry skin. On the other hand, CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is lightweight and fluid, making it more suitable for those with oily, normal, or dry skin.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Texture: Rich and creamy
Suitable for: Dry or very dry skin on both the face and body
Benefits: Deep hydration, skin barrier support, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-recommended, eczema-friendly

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Believe it or not, you can use CeraVe Lotion on your face too.
Texture: Lightweight and non-greasy
Suitable for: Normal to dry skin on the face and body
Benefits: Lightweight hydration, suitable for daily use, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-recommended
How to Choose the Right Moisturizer
If you have very dry or dry skin, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is the better choice
If your skin is oily or normal to dry and you prefer a lighter texture that’s suitable for daily use, CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is the better choice
Both products are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and recommended by dermatologists, which ensures they’re gentle and suitable for sensitive skin.

The Bottom Line: Can you use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream on your face?
Yes, you can use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream on your face.
While its rich texture may make you assume it’s more suitable for body use, plenty of people like myself incorporate it into our facial skincare routines with positive results.
However, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream may not be suitable for you as it may lead to breakouts.
Overall, this moisturizer is a versatile option for both your face and body. Pick up some CeraVe Moisturizing Cream today to experience the magic for yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream may not be suitable for oily skin. While it has a rich texture, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream can be used on oily skin, but it’s essential to adjust the amount applied based on your skin’s needs. Some people with oily skin may prefer a lighter moisturizer, such as CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion.
Yes, you can use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream if you have acne-prone skin. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is non-comedogenic, which means it’s less likely to clog pores and cause breakouts. However, people with acne-prone skin should be mindful of the amount they’re using and consider patch-testing to ensure it doesn’t exacerbate their condition.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is richer and more suitable for very dry or dry skin, both on the face and body, than CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. In contrast, CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is lighter and designed for normal to dry skin. Your choice between the two will depend on your specific skin type and hydration needs.
Yes, you can incorporate CeraVe Moisturizing Cream into your skincare routine alongside other products. Its fragrance-free formula makes it suitable for layering with your other serums, treatments, and sunscreens.
While it can be used around the eye area, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream does not contain any ingredients to treat eye conditions like dark circles or puffiness. If you’re looking for targeted eye care, consider using one of CeraVe’s dedicated eye cream products.
Yes, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is safe for sensitive skin. Its fragrance-free and non-irritating formula minimizes the risk of skin sensitivities.
You can use CeraVe Moisturizing Cream once or twice daily and adjust frequency as needed. Some people use it daily, while others apply it more generously during colder, drier seasons.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is generally safe for children’s skin. However, you should consult with a pediatrician or dermatologist, especially if your child has specific skincare concerns or conditions.
Yes, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream can be used for eczema-prone skin. Many individuals with eczema find relief in using CeraVe Moisturizing Cream due to its ceramide-rich formula, which supports your skin’s barrier function. It can also help manage dryness and discomfort associated with eczema.
