CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Face Moisturizer
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Immediate clinical visible improvement on smoothness, fine lines, radiance, suppleness, & redness.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Moisturizing16 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Developed with dermatologists, this dry-touch, weightless water gel provides 3 days of plumping hydration in 3 seconds, 72HR hydration, and a stronger skin barrier in just 1 hour.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
biosaccharide gum-1, copper pca.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, cholesterol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide ap, ceramide eop, ceramide np, niacinamide, phytosphingosine
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~4.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinNiacinamide~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePropanediol~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolDimethicone~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeIsononyl isononanoate~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective film on the surface of the skin to prevent moisture loss. Gives a velvety feel to products while reducing tackiness
More about Isononyl isononanoateCeramide np~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide npCeramide ap~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide apCeramide eop~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide eopCarbomer~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerDimethicone crosspolymer~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product texture. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and might be able to prevent moisture loss from its surface
More about Dimethicone crosspolymerCetearyl alcohol~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholBehentrimonium methosulfate~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Behentrimonium methosulfateTriethyl citrate~0.3–0.75%
Safflower glucoside~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silica~0.45–1.05%
Sodium hydroxide~0.3–0.7%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium lauroyl lactylate~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Sodium lauroyl lactylateSodium citrate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateCholesterol~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally found in skin
More about CholesterolPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTocopherol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Copper pca~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Copper pcaCaprylyl glycol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateBiosaccharide gum-1~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Xanthan gum~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPhytosphingosine~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid that is naturally present in skin. It might help in repairing skin barrier function and has anti-bacterial effect
More about PhytosphingosineBenzoic acid~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Isononyl isononanoate, Ceramide np, Ceramide ap, Ceramide eop, Carbomer, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Cetearyl alcohol, Behentrimonium methosulfate, Triethyl citrate, Safflower glucoside, Silica, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium lauroyl lactylate, Sodium citrate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Copper pca, Caprylyl glycol, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Biosaccharide gum-1, Xanthan gum, Phytosphingosine, Benzoic acid
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| CeraVeHydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Face MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | RilastilAcnestil Attiva Cream | Naked SundaysCeramide Cloud Water Cream | THE Formula RxBarrier Relief Lightweight Ceramide Moisturizer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 92% | 92% | 91% |
| Price | $21.99 | $24.44+$2.45 | — | $31.99+$10.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 10 of 11 | 9 of 11 | 9 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate | Peg-10 Dimethicone | Colloidal Oatmeal |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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