Independent analysis. Products are bought at retail — no gifted samples, no affiliate links, no sponsored placements.

Lena Hoffmann Dermatology

CeraVe

Moisturising Cream

Category
Moisturiser
Ingredients
24
Concentrations published
0 of 24
Verified

The short answer

A petrolatum-and-glycerin occlusive-emollient cream carrying three ceramides, cholesterol and a fatty acid in roughly physiological proportions. The formula is unfragranced and deliberately dull. For a compromised barrier that dullness is the entire point, and it is why the cream is recommended so widely.

What is in it?

The full INCI list as published by the manufacturer, with each ingredient's function in this formula. Where a concentration is not published, the table says so rather than estimating it.

Ingredient list with function and published concentration
INCI nameFunctionConcentrationNote
Aqua / Water / Eau Solvent Not published
Glycerin Humectant Not published Second on the list — a high inclusion.
Cetearyl Alcohol Fatty alcohol — emollient and co-emulsifier Not published
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Emollient Not published
Cetyl Alcohol Fatty alcohol — emollient Not published
Ceteareth-20 Emulsifier Not published
Petrolatum Occlusive — reduces transepidermal water loss Not published
Potassium Phosphate pH buffer Not published
Ceramide NP Barrier lipid Not published
Ceramide AP Barrier lipid Not published
Ceramide EOP Barrier lipid Not published
Carbomer Thickener Not published
Dimethicone Silicone emollient, occlusive Not published
Behentrimonium Methosulfate Conditioning emulsifier Not published
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Emulsifier Not published
Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant Not published
Cholesterol Barrier lipid Not published
Phenoxyethanol Preservative Not published
Disodium EDTA Chelator Not published
Dipotassium Phosphate pH buffer Not published
Tocopherol Antioxidant Not published
Phytosphingosine Sphingoid base — barrier support Not published
Xanthan Gum Thickener Not published
Ethylhexylglycerin Preservative booster Not published

Download the full dataset (CSV)

Do the claims hold up?

“Contains three essential ceramides”
Accurate as stated. Ceramides NP, AP and EOP are all present, alongside cholesterol and phytosphingosine.
“MVE technology releases moisture over 24 hours”
Not verifiable from the ingredient list. No concentration or release data is published, so this is a delivery-system claim the buyer cannot check.

Read the full analysis

Sources

  1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream product page (ingredient list) — CeraVe (L'Oréal) Accessed 15 September 2026.

This is general information about cosmetic formulation, not medical advice. It does not replace a consultation for your own skin.