I Tried CeraVe’s Top Recommended Products for My Skin type: Here’s My Honest Review

*This Post is not sponsored or affiliated with CeraVe. All product photos were captured and edited by Katherine Murray.

CeraVe is a skincare brand developed with dermatologists that began in 2005. CeraVe offers a variety of products for different skin types ranging from dry to oily, as well as skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis.

As the #1 skincare brand recommended by dermatologists, I decided to try some of the top-rated products for my skin type. I used CeraVe’s online quiz and found products to help with oily skin, occasional dry patches, and acne scars. Here is my honest review of their top recommended products.

CerVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Beneficial Ingredients: Niacinamide, Peptide Complex, Hyaluronic Acid, and 3 essential Ceramides

Other facial cleansing products left my face feeling dry, with unwanted residue, or had an overpowering scent. It’s hard to find a product that is affordable, unscented and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed. CerVe was able to give me everything I wanted - and needed - out of a face wash.

In the past I have struggled to wash my face daily, but being able to see the results of the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser motivated me to stay consistent. The face cleanser was able to clean the dirt and oils from my face without drying out my skin. I experienced less breakouts, and my skin felt cleaner longer. I also noticed my makeup application was also smoother and stayed better through the day than it did with other face washes. I will definitely be keeping it in my skincare routine and was overall impressed with the amount of product for the price.

Pro: Helped prevent breakouts without irritating my skin
Con: Wouldn’t recommend for already dry or flaky skin

CerVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Beneficial ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and three essential ceramides.

I am all for a dual-use product, especially anything that includes SPF. My previous facial moisturizer only had SPF 15 so I liked the upgrade to SPF 30, and the price was reasonable for the amount of product.

What I didn’t like, however, was the greasy feel on re-application. It also left a white film on my skin, which was eventually absorbed in, but I think it could make the product non-inclusive for different skin tones. The lotion also had a strong sunscreen scent to it which didn’t fade much through the day. With how heavy it was, it also was not comfortable to wear under makeup or with additional sunscreen. Definitely think this product has a lot of room for improvement and won’t be in my skincare routine in the future.

Pro: Contains SPF 30
Con: heavy feel and takes a long time to absorb into the skin

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Beneficial ingredients: 3 essential ceramides, licorice root extract, and niacinamide

This was my first experience with retinol, and I was pleasantly surprised. There was minimal irritation during the first 2-3 applications and the label directions were comprehensive and easy to follow. I was able to space out the uses, per the instructions, and my skin adjusted quickly.

It took about 2-3 weeks of consistent use, but the results were better than I expected. My acne scars reduced significantly, my skin’s texture was smoother, and my overall complexion was much better. I would highly recommend this product for anyone looking to introduce retinol into their skincare routine. It was effective without being harsh, and the results were impressive.

Pro: Minimal irritation during the skin adjustment period
Con: Took about 2-3 weeks before seeing results

CerVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Beneficial Ingredients: Niacinamide, Peptide Complex, Hyaluronic Acid, and 3 essential Ceramides

Hailey Bieber once said, “If I’m not getting into bed looking like a glazed donut, then I’m not doing the right thing.” about her nighttime skincare routine. Hailey spoke, I listened, and my skin is better for it.

I was scared to moisturize at night, for fear I would wake up with irritation and breakouts, but this product was light enough that my skin was refreshed without feeling weighed down. This product works great for dry to oily skin and absorbed quicker than I expected. I highly recommend this product to anyone who wants a nighttime moisturizer that feels effortless.

Pro: Lightweight formula leaves skin feeling refreshed instead of weighed down
Con: Can start to feel greasy if paired with other nighttime skincare products

CeraVe Under Eye Cream Repair for Dark Circles and Puffiness
Beneficial Ingredients: Ceramides, Hyaluronic acid Niacinamide

Drinking enough water and getting plenty of sleep aren’t always enough to combat my puffy eyes and dark circles. Sometimes my skin needs a boost, and this product did a great job at clearing up some of the most apparent discolorations under my eyes.

Although I was happy with the overall results, this product left me wanting more. The price for a small amount was a little high, especially since it needs to be applied two times per day. I was happy with the reduction of my dark circles, but I didn’t see any difference in the puffiness even after using consistently. I may end up keeping it in my skincare routine in the future, but I am definitely turning to other products to see how they compare both in quality and quanitity.

Pro: Helped reduce dark circles
Con: Didn’t help with puffiness as expected

Final Thoughts:
I think that CeraVe does a good job in providing beneficial ingredients to improve skin health. They succeed at clear directions, nice packaging, and great marketing, and I was impressed with the affordability of most of their products.

Although there were some products that disappointed, I think CeraVe is a great brand, especially for anyone who is a beginner to skincare. With easy-to-follow instructions and clear product labeling they make it simple to find products that match your skin’s needs and apply correctly.

Overall, I am really excited for the products I will be using everyday as a part of my permanent skincare routine, and I look forward to trying more CeraVe products in the future.

*Remember: Always consult your dermatologist before using new products and make sure you’re not allergic to any of the product’s ingredients before use.