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- CeraVe was created in the US in 2005 with dermatologists, and L'Oréal has owned it since buying it from Valeant in 2017.
- Nearly every product carries ceramides 1, 3 and 6-II (EOP, NP, AP on labels) plus cholesterol; the creams add MVE, a time-release emulsion.
- Oily skin: Foaming Cleanser, PM Lotion, AM SPF 50. Dry skin: Hydrating Cleanser, Moisturizing Cream, AM SPF 30 or 50.
- Face products list $14.99 to $21.99 on cerave.com as of November 2026; skip doubling up medicated cleansers.
CeraVe is a drugstore skincare brand built around ceramides, the lipids that hold the skin barrier together. It was created in the US in 2005 with a group of dermatologists and has belonged to L'Oréal since 2017. For most people the best buys are a cleanser matched to skin type (Foaming for oily, Hydrating for dry), the Moisturizing Cream or PM Lotion, and an AM lotion with SPF.
If you're stuck between two bottles, you can scan the barcode or label with the ingredient scanner in Pori to check each formula against your skin type. Pori flags ingredients; it doesn't diagnose skin conditions.
This guide covers who makes CeraVe, what is actually distinctive about its formulas, which products suit each skin type, and what you can skip. We compared published ingredient lists, brand claims and listed prices; we did not test these products on skin. Prices are cerave.com list prices as of November 2026.
Who owns CeraVe?
L'Oréal owns CeraVe. In January 2017 it agreed to buy CeraVe, AcneFree and Ambi from Valeant Pharmaceuticals for $1.3 billion in cash. At the time the three brands had combined annual sales of about $168 million, and L'Oréal placed them in the division that also runs La Roche-Posay, Vichy and SkinCeuticals.
The brand is older than the deal. CeraVe says a group of dermatologists developed its first formulas in the US in 2005, and that the range started with a moisturizing cream, a moisturizing lotion and a hydrating cleanser. All three are still sold. "Developed with dermatologists" is the brand's own claim. It tells you who was consulted, and it says nothing about how a product will work on your face.
What are CeraVe's ceramides and MVE technology?
Almost every CeraVe product carries the same three ceramides plus cholesterol. CeraVe's brand pages call them ceramides 1, 3 and 6-II; on US ingredient lists they appear as ceramide EOP, NP and AP. Ceramides sit between the cells of the outer skin layer and help it hold water, which is why they suit dry, eczema-prone or over-treated skin. Our guide to ceramides and the skin barrier explains the biology, and the ceramide NP page covers the ingredient itself.
The second idea is MVE, short for MultiVesicular Emulsion. CeraVe describes it as a delivery system that releases moisturizing ingredients over 24 hours. MVE is a trademark of DFB Technology, so it is licensed technology, and the claim appears mostly on the creams and lotions. We found no independent study comparing MVE with an ordinary emulsion, so treat the 24-hour figure as a brand claim.
The other common threads are practical. Most of the range is fragrance-free, many products add niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, and the face products we looked at list between $14.99 and $21.99.
What are CeraVe's main product lines?
- Cleansers: Foaming, Hydrating, Hydrating Cream-to-Foam, Renewing SA (sold as SA Smoothing in the UK) and the Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser with benzoyl peroxide.
- Moisturizers: Moisturizing Cream, Daily Moisturizing Lotion, PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion and the Skin Renewing line for signs of aging.
- Sunscreen moisturizers: AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion in SPF 30 and SPF 50.
- Treatments: Resurfacing Retinol Serum and a group of acne products.
Which CeraVe cleanser should I use for my skin type?
Pick by how your face feels 15 minutes after washing. If it gets shiny fast, you want foam. If it feels tight, you want cream.
| Your skin | CeraVe cleanser | What's in it | Price (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oily or combination | Foaming Facial Cleanser | Foaming gel with three ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid; made for normal to oily skin | $15.99 |
| Dry or sensitive | Hydrating Facial Cleanser | Low-foam cream with three ceramides and hyaluronic acid; NEA Seal of Acceptance; no added fragrance | $15.99 |
| Rough, bumpy or clogged | Renewing SA Cleanser | Salicylic acid with ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid; made for normal and acne-prone skin | $15.99 |
| Red, inflamed breakouts | Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser | 4% benzoyl peroxide with ceramides and niacinamide | $17.99 |
The Foaming and Hydrating cleansers are the two to start with. They cost the same and share the ceramide base; the difference is the cleansing system, which we break down in CeraVe Foaming vs Hydrating Cleanser. If neither feels right, the Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser sits between them: it starts as a cream and turns into a light lather.
The two medicated washes do different jobs. Renewing SA uses salicylic acid for texture and clogged pores (see our SA Smoothing Cleanser review). The Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser uses benzoyl peroxide, which targets acne bacteria and can bleach towels and pillowcases. Our Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser review covers how to use it without drying out. Use one of the two to start, not both.
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Gel-to-foam wash that clears excess oil without stripping.
Suits: Oily, Combination, Normal skin
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Creamy non-foaming wash that leaves the moisture barrier intact.
Suits: Dry, Normal, Sensitive, Combination skin
Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
Face cleanser with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Fragrance-free.
Suits: Normal, Dry, Sensitive skin
Renewing SA Cleanser
Face cleanser with niacinamide, gluconolactone and salicylic acid. Fragrance-free.
Suits: Normal, Oily, Combination, Sensitive skin
Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
Face cleanser with benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide and glycolic acid. Fragrance-free.
Suits: Normal, Oily, Combination, Sensitive skin
From Pori's catalogue. Amazon links carry our Associates tag: Pori earns from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. No brand pays to be listed. Photos: Open Beauty Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Which CeraVe moisturizer is best for dry, oily or aging skin?
Dry skin: Moisturizing Cream
The tub that made CeraVe famous is a rich, fragrance-free cream for normal to dry skin on the face and body. It combines the three ceramides with hyaluronic acid, dimethicone and petrolatum, carries the National Eczema Association seal, and is labeled non-comedogenic and suitable from age 3. It lists from $14.99. Our Moisturizing Cream review goes ingredient by ingredient.
Oily, combination or acne-prone skin: PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
This light, oil-free lotion is made for all skin types and lists niacinamide fourth, after water, glycerin and caprylic/capric triglyceride. It is a common partner for retinoids and acne treatments because it adds moisture without weight. It costs $19.99 and has no SPF, so pair it with a sunscreen if you wear it in the morning. Details are in our PM Lotion review. CeraVe also sells a Daily Moisturizing Lotion that it positions as a lighter, oil-free option for normal to oily skin.
Signs of aging: Skin Renewing Night Cream and Resurfacing Retinol Serum
The Skin Renewing Night Cream ($21.99 for 1.7 oz) adds peptides, listed as tripeptide-1 and caproyl tetrapeptide-3, to niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. CeraVe describes the peptide results in cosmetic terms. The Resurfacing Retinol Serum ($21.99) pairs encapsulated retinol with niacinamide, ceramides and licorice root extract, and CeraVe aims it at post-acne marks and texture. CeraVe doesn't disclose the retinol percentage; our Retinol Serum review explains what the ingredient list suggests.
Moisturizing Cream
Thick ceramide cream for skin that dries out by midday.
Suits: Dry, Normal, Sensitive skin
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Light night lotion that hydrates without feeding shine.
Suits: Normal, Combination, Oily skin
Skin Renewing Night Cream
Moisturizer with niacinamide, ceramides and shea butter. Fragrance-free.
Suits: Normal, Dry, Combination, Sensitive skin
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Buffered retinol aimed at post-acne marks and rough texture.
Suits: Oily, Combination, Normal skin
From Pori's catalogue. Amazon links carry our Associates tag: Pori earns from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. No brand pays to be listed. Photos: Open Beauty Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Is CeraVe sunscreen any good?
CeraVe's AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is a moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen in one bottle, which is the easiest way to make daily SPF a habit. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and both versions meet that.
- AM SPF 30 ($19.99): homosalate 10%, octinoxate 5%, octocrylene 2% and zinc oxide 8%. Made for normal to dry skin.
- AM SPF 50 ($19.99): homosalate 8%, zinc oxide 7%, octisalate 5% and octocrylene 5%. CeraVe says it is lightweight, fragrance-free and blends into all skin tones without white residue.
Both are hybrid formulas, mixing chemical filters with zinc oxide, and both carry the same ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid as the PM lotion. The catch with any SPF moisturizer is quantity: you only get the number on the label if you apply a full layer. Our CeraVe AM vs PM lotion comparison covers how much to use. If your face is very oily, a thinner gel may feel better; see best sunscreen for oily skin.
AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
SPF 30 sunscreen with niacinamide, homosalate and octinoxate. Fragrance-free.
Suits: Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive skin
Facial Moisturizing Lotion AM Lightweight SPF 50
SPF 50 sunscreen with niacinamide, tocopherol and glycerin. Fragrance-free.
Suits: Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive skin
From Pori's catalogue. Amazon links carry our Associates tag: Pori earns from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. No brand pays to be listed. Photos: Open Beauty Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
What should I skip from CeraVe?
None of the core products is a bad formula. The usual mistakes are about fit and overlap.
- The Moisturizing Cream on a very oily, breakout-prone face. It is non-comedogenic, but it is heavy. The PM Lotion or Daily Moisturizing Lotion will feel better on oily skin.
- The AM lotion as a night cream. You don't need sunscreen filters overnight, and the PM Lotion costs the same.
- Two medicated cleansers at once. Renewing SA plus the benzoyl peroxide wash plus a retinol is a fast route to dryness. Add one active at a time; our guide to introducing new products shows how.
- Duplicate buys. SA Smoothing and Renewing SA are regional names for CeraVe's salicylic acid cleanser. Check the label before buying both.
- The Night Cream if budget is tight. The PM Lotion already covers ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for $2 less.
How much does CeraVe cost?
On cerave.com, the face products in this guide list from $14.99 (Moisturizing Cream) to $21.99 (Night Cream and Retinol Serum) as of November 2026. A basic three-step routine of Foaming Cleanser, AM SPF 50 and PM Lotion comes to $55.97 at list price, and drugstores and Amazon often sell for less. CeraVe lists the Moisturizing Cream as HSA/FSA eligible. Our drugstore skincare routine builds full morning and evening plans around these products, and you can compare them with other brands in our cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens catalogue.
Is CeraVe good for sensitive or acne-prone skin?
Mostly, yes. The core cleansers and moisturizers are fragrance-free and labeled non-comedogenic, and several hold the National Eczema Association seal. The exceptions are the acne and anti-aging products: salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinol can all sting or dry sensitive skin, so patch test them and start slowly. CeraVe also states that its products do not treat underlying skin conditions. If you have persistent acne, eczema or rosacea, a dermatologist is the right next step.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns CeraVe?
L'Oréal. It agreed to buy CeraVe, AcneFree and Ambi from Valeant Pharmaceuticals in January 2017 for $1.3 billion in cash.
What are ceramides 1, 3 and 6-II?
They are the three ceramides CeraVe uses across its range. On US ingredient lists they appear as ceramide EOP, ceramide NP and ceramide AP. They help the outer skin layer hold water.
What is CeraVe MVE technology?
MVE stands for MultiVesicular Emulsion. CeraVe describes it as a delivery system that releases moisturizing ingredients over 24 hours. It is licensed technology, and the 24-hour figure is a brand claim.
Which CeraVe products are best for oily skin?
The Foaming Facial Cleanser, the PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion and the AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50. Add the Renewing SA Cleanser if you also have clogged pores.
Which CeraVe products are best for dry skin?
The Hydrating Facial Cleanser, the Moisturizing Cream and an AM lotion with SPF in the morning. All three are fragrance-free.
Is CeraVe good for acne?
It has two acne cleansers: Renewing SA with salicylic acid for clogged pores and the Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser with 4% benzoyl peroxide for inflamed pimples. Its moisturizers are labeled non-comedogenic. Persistent acne still needs a dermatologist.
Sources
- Cosmetics Design: L'Oréal pays over $1bn to acquire Valeant skin care brands (2017)
- CeraVe UK: About CeraVe
- CeraVe: Foaming Facial Cleanser
- CeraVe: Hydrating Facial Cleanser
- CeraVe: Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
- CeraVe: Moisturizing Cream
- CeraVe: Skin Renewing Night Cream
- CeraVe: AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
- CeraVe: AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50
- American Academy of Dermatology: Sunscreen FAQs
Pori is a wellness and skincare education app, not a medical device. This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. For anything that worries you, see a dermatologist.
