The 12 Best CeraVe Products of All Time, According to Derms and a Skincare-Obsessed Beauty Editor
Coming in at number one? The iconic Moisturizing Cream.
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CeraVe is one of those brands that consistently delivers for our skin. It doesn't have flashy packaging or outrageous price tags—just solid, reliable formulas that do exactly what they’re supposed to do. If you’ve ever dealt with dryness, breakouts, sensitivity, or a mysteriously irritated skin barrier, chances are a CeraVe product has come to the rescue at some point.
What makes the drugstore brand such a standout is its skin barrier-first approach. Every formula is built around essential ceramides and deeply hydrating ingredients that help the skin hold onto moisture and stay balanced without feeling overly dry or stripped, which is why so many dermatologists and editors swear by it. So, we consulted three board-certified dermatologists and tapped into years of editor testing to narrow down the very best CeraVe products on the market.
The top CeraVe products of 2026
So whether you’re in need of a new face wash, an eye cream, or a full skincare routine reset, these are the best CeraVe products for every skin type and concern.
Why we love it: This moisturizer is the best product CeraVe makes, in our opinion. It is constantly recommended by dermatologists and has won countless beauty awards and industry accolades over the years. It absorbs quickly without any greasy residue and really provides a long-lasting hydrating effect, especially for those with overly sensitive skin.
An expert tells Cosmo: “CeraVe moisturizing cream is one of my all-time favorite body and face moisturizers, and contains ceramides—a lipid naturally found in skin—along with glycerin and hyaluronic acid to really moisturize skin. Together with cholesterol and fatty acids, ceramides are responsible for creating a healthy, intact skin barrier and retaining moisture in the skin. As we age, levels of ceramides decrease and so using a moisturizer like CeraVe cream can help restore the skin’s protective barrier and hydration."—Board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin |
Why we love it: No matter your skin type or skin concerns, there’s a good chance CeraVe's Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser will work for you. This formula checks all the right boxes when it comes to an excellent face wash—it removes dirt, oil, and makeup, hydrates without leaving behind a film or residue, and lightly foams in the most satisfying way. And unlike many drugstore face washes, this is skin-barrier-friendly, thanks to the presence of ceramides and the lack of harsh surfactants. so it won’t strip your skin or make it feel tight and dry post-rinse.
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, amino acids, hyaluronic acid |
Why we love it: I recommend CeraVe’s resurfacing retinol serum to anyone who is either new to using retinol or wants to try an over-the-counter retinol that’s both effective and reasonably priced. First off, it’s gentle (I’ve never once experienced peeling or flaking from using this—even if I apply it multiple days in a row). Second, it can be used in the morning or at night (most retinols are only suitable for evening use, FYI). And third, it works so well! The combo of retinol, licorice root extract, and ceramides help smooth fine lines, fade dark spots, minimize the look of large pores, and give your skin a nice glow.
| Key ingredients | Retinol, ceramides, licorice root extract |
Why we love it: According to board-certified dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, this is one of those must-try CeraVe products that many people don’t actually know about. “It’s a great anti-aging moisturizer for nighttime,” he says. The combo of peptides, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides work together to firm and hydrate skin for a smoother, plumper feel. I personally like to layer this over my retinol serum (you can try CeraVe’s resurfacing retinol serum above) for extra line-smoothing benefits while I snooze.
| Key ingredients | Peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides |
Why we love it: This probably my favorite face wash of all time, which is really saying a lot considering I’ve literally tested hundreds in my 13-year career as a beauty editor. I’m ranking it below the Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser because not everyone needs an exfoliating cleanser in their routine, but it’s a good one. The exfoliation comes from salicylic acid (a type of acid that’s great for freeing pores of excess oil and buildup), but it’s honestly really gentle, you don’t need to worry about overdoing it. I love it for removing makeup, giving my skin a deep clean, and smoothing any bumpy, uneven texture.
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, ceramides |
Why we love it: I’m a firm believer that everyone needs a hyaluronic acid serum in their skincare routine, and you can’t go wrong with this one from CeraVe. It provides up to 24 hours of hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid and helps improve barrier function with ceramides and soothe any inflammation with vitamin B5 and niacinamide. And unlike many hyaluronic acid serums I’ve tried that have a sticky or tacky residue, this one feels lovely on skin and layers nicely (aka it won’t pill or get patchy) with other skincare products and makeup.
| Key ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin B5 |
An expert tells Cosmo: “I love that this eye cream contains 5 percent pure vitamin C, ceramides, and caffeine to help brighten the skin and reduce puffiness. It absorbs easily and won’t leave the skin feeling greasy. And in true CeraVe form, the formula also “incorporates ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help nourish under-eye skin, making it a great option for those with dry or sensitive skin too,” says Dr. Garschick
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, ceramides, caffeine, hyaluronic acid |
Why we love it: This lightweight moisturizer combines hydration with broad-spectrum SPF 30, making it an easy, all-in-one step for your morning routine. Formulated with ceramides to support the skin barrier, hyaluronic acid for moisture, and niacinamide to soothe the skin, it absorbs quickly and keeps the skin hydrated. It’s gentle, fragrance-free, and layers well under makeup. What more could we ask for in a multitasking skincare formula?
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide |
Why we love it: I was dealing with some pretty heavy-duty hormonal acne on my jawline, chest, and back and I swear this benzoyl peroxide wash is what helped clear it up. Benzoyl peroxide is loved by derms for its ability to kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin and reduce inflammation. It’s used in a 10 percent concentration in this cleanser (the highest amount you can get over-the-counter), and while I’d normally say that’s way too strong for a leave-on product, it’s effective without being drying in a rinse-off formula like this.
| Key ingredients | Benzoyl peroxide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide |
What are the best CeraVe products?
Over the years, team Cosmo has tried just about every product CeraVe has to offer—from tried-and-true cleansers to newer face serums—and have kept a detailed list with notes on each, including how and why it works, who the formula is best for, and, most importantly, how they stack up against each other.
Is CeraVe good for your skin?
Yes! As a whole, CeraVe products are really good for your skin. The formulas are gentle yet effective and made with your skin’s health in mind. What I love about CeraVe is that that no matter the product—whether it be an acne face wash, daily moisturizer, or retinol serum—you’ll find ceramides in the formula to help hydrate your skin and restore its protective barrier. (Reminder: a functioning skin barrier is essential for healthy skin and helps prevent everything from eczema to acne.) In addition to ceramides, CeraVe products contain a slew of other good-for-skin ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to name a few—plus the majority of formulas are noncomedogenic and fragrance-free too.
Do dermatologists recommend CeraVe?
CeraVe is one of the few skincare brands that’s universally recommended by dermatologists. Board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, says that she frequently recommends CeraVe (and uses it on herself and her kids) not only because the brand makes products that help restore and repair the skin barrier but because they have an incredibly diverse range of products, from suncare to serums, so there is really something for everyone. “As an acne expert, I know I can recommend CeraVe cleansers and moisturizers to my patients and they will be tolerated and complement any other routine I prescribe, even for those with the most sensitive skin,” says Dr. Marchbein.
Dermatologists Karan Lal, MD, and Marisa Garshick, MD, have nothing but good things to say about CeraVe too. “I like CeraVe because they make it a point to include skin moisturizing ingredients such as ceramides into their products—plus, they’re safe for all skin types,” says Dr. Lal. “I love that CeraVe is both accessible and affordable, making it easy to find quality products at the drugstore,” adds Dr. Garshick.
Why we love it: Some people use Vaseline, others use Aquaphor, but I swear by CeraVe’s Healing Ointment. I keep one in my car, one in my bag, and another on my nightstand and use it to moisturize my lips, hands, and heels. You can also use it all over your face for slugging if you have super-dry skin. It soothes, softens, and protects dry, cracked skin (which is especially important for the winter months) and has a relatively non-greasy feel.
| Key ingredients | Petrolatum, ceramides, hyaluronic acid |
Are CeraVe products good for your skin?
Yes! As a whole, CeraVe products are really good for your skin. The formulas are gentle yet effective and made with your skin’s health in mind. What I love about CeraVe is that that no matter the product—whether it be an acne face wash, daily moisturizer, or retinol serum—you’ll find ceramides in the formula to help hydrate your skin and restore its protective barrier. (Reminder: a functioning skin barrier is essential for healthy skin and helps prevent everything from eczema to acne.) In addition to ceramides, CeraVe products contain a slew of other good-for-skin ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to name a few—plus the majority of formulas are noncomedogenic and fragrance-free too.
Do dermatologists recommend CeraVe?
CeraVe is one of the few skincare brands that’s universally recommended by dermatologists. Dr. Marchbein says that she frequently recommends CeraVe (and uses it on herself and her kids) not only because the brand makes products that help restore and repair a compromised skin barrier, but also because they have an incredibly diverse range of products, from suncare to serums, so there is really something for everyone. “As an acne expert, I know I can recommend CeraVe cleansers and moisturizers to my patients and they will be tolerated and complement any other routine I prescribe, even for those with the most sensitive skin,” says Dr. Marchbein.
Dr.Lal and board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, have nothing but good things to say about CeraVe too. “I like CeraVe because they make it a point to include skin moisturizing ingredients such as ceramides into their products—plus, they’re safe for all skin types,” says Dr. Lal. “I love that CeraVe is both accessible and affordable, making it easy to find quality products at the drugstore,” adds Dr. Garshick.
Meet the experts:
- Shari Marchbein, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Marchbein’s academic and clinical interests include the treatment of acne, in particular adult female acne, acne scarring, and rosacea. She also specializes in various aesthetic procedures and laser surgery at her practice in New York, NY.
- Karan Lal, MD, is a double board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ. You can also catch Dr. Lal responding to viral beauty trends and myths on Cosmo’s TikTok.
- Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NY and NJ and a clinical assistant professor at Cornell.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from the best body washes for acne-prone skin to the best anti-aging serums. She regularly tests and analyzes new skincare products, while working with the industry’s top experts to assess new formulas and brands.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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