The CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion is so affordable and effective, it blew my socks off!

I’ve been accused of being a beauty snob, in that I only seem to feature, or talk about expensive beauty products. Well, what’s wrong with that, I ask you?

However, when I do come across affordable products that do a good job, they get all my attention as well. And I know it gets all of yours!

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A fairly recent discovery is the affordable CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion. I’d bought a bottle a little while ago, and when I ran out of a jaw-droppingly expensive moisturizer, decided to try something a little more simple.

Well, colour me impressed! :D

CeraVe skincare – simple but effective products

CeraVe is a skincare brand that focuses on being simple, effective and fairly affordable. Their key selling point is that their products contain 3 key ceramides (ceramide 1, 3 and 6-II), fatty acids and lipids, to strengthen the skin barrier while being moisturizing and helping to maintain skin moisture.

CeraVe products are therefore often recommended for those who suffer from sensitive skin, or skin that is raw and in need of treatment and protection. They are recommended by dermatologists, and are generally, fairly gentle.

My first experience was with the popular CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, that I thoroughly enjoyed using, was affordable, and which I still enjoy using today. It is simple and effective, just how skincare should be.

RELATED READING: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is wonderful for dry skin, and so affordable! READ HERE

My understanding is that the brand has recently been bought by the L’Oreal group in 2017, which does worry people. Sometimes, when an effective brand is acquired by a cosmetics giant, formula, pricing and marketing strategy can change. It is my hope that it doesn’t in this case.

Considering however, that L’Oreal does place CeraVe in the same group as La Roche Posay, Vichy and Skinceuticals is a little more assuring to me. I personally have high regards for these 3 brands, and it might mean that we may have easier access to CeraVe in the future.

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion – LOVE!

This brings us to the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion.

I purchased the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, because the AM (day) version contains SPF, and I prefer my moisturizers to not have SPF. I use a separate SPF daily, so for me, SPF in moisturizers are superfluous.

RELATED READING: My view on relying on SPF in moisturizers is quite similar to my view on relying on SPF in makeup READ HERE

I did worry the first time I used it, because it said that it was a Facial Moisturizing Lotion, that is an oil-free formula, and recommended for most skin types, but in particular, normal to oily skin types.

I have drier skin, so I usually opt for creams instead of lotions. But much to my surprise, I found this formula very comfortable.

The texture is fairly heavy for a lotion. For this reason, I can understand why some people gripe about the heavier texture. If you don’t use heavy textured moisturizers, this may feel uncomfortable.

For me, used at night, I use 2 pumps of product to seal in all my serums and oils. I distribute it using the 13-dot technique, and it is distributed evenly all over my skin, down to my neck. I feel that this technique is very useful when working with products with a heavier texture, because it can ensure that it doesn’t feel too heavy on any part of your face.

RELATED READING: Want to improve your skin without changing your skincare? Try these 3 tips! READ HERE

I was tipped off by an Instagram follower, Ben, that I could also use this in the day, so I did! And boy, do I love it too!

In the day, I use just 1 pump, as it can otherwise feel a little more heavy. Similarly, once distributed with the 13-dot technique, it absorbs nicely into the skin, and leaves my skin protected and comfortable.

What does the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion do?

Good question!

Initially, I treated this as I would any other moisturizer. I have my preferences when it comes to texture of my moisturizers, and they usually are products that aren’t too heavy with the feel of silicone, not too heavily fragranced (or even better, unfragranced), absorbs easily into the skin, moisturizes my skin and feels comfortable without breaking me out or clogging my pores.

The CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion ticks ALL the boxes! :D

While dimethicone does feature on the list of ingredients, and I can feel the slip, it is not so heavy to be unpleasant and occlusive on my skin. The lotion has no fragrance (YAY!) and absorbs into my skin nicely while keeping it happily moisturized.

Do note that I live in the tropics where it is hot and humid, and that I have dry skin. That this works for me here means that it may only work for you, in the Summer. In colder months, or if your climate is drier, you’d likely need something heavier to protect and nourish your skin better.

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But more than how it feels, it was how my skin has been in the past 2 months since I started using this moisturizer, that made me absolutely love the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion.

My skin’s well moisturized

Despite the light texture, my skin stays well moisturized and hydrated through the night in an air-conditioned room. I wake up to skin that is happy and comfortable.

I have been using a retinol serum (more on this in future posts) and I use this lotion because it is simple, yet it is moisturizing enough to ensure the retinol serum does not irritate my skin.

It seals in my serums well and feels gentle

It is heavy enough to seal in my serums. In the night, I’ve been using retinol serums and oils, and in the day I use Vitamin C serums and hydration products. For some reason, this combination, together with this moisturizing lotion, has been wonderful for my skin!

I also find that it feels gentle. For me, this means that it is not irritating. It is unfragranced, so it doesn’t even bother my nose!

The ingredients work very well for my skin

The CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion contains 3 types of ceramides (Ceramide 1, 3 and 6-II), fatty acids, lipids and niacinamide. What these all do is to protect, restore and strengthen the skin barrier. A strong skin barrier retains moisture and water better, and prevents pollutants or external aggressors from irritating your skin.

My skin feels less irritated by heat, not as dry, and my skin tone is more even

The upshot of it all, is that I’ve noticed that in recent times, my skin is less easily flushed by heat. Living in the tropics means we can never truly escape it.

My skin tone however, is more even, and my skin texture might perhaps even be better. I do not feel my skin to be as dry as it used to be (could also be attributed to the Moisture Sandwich technique, and my colouring appears less ruddy and uneven.

I believe however, that it is a combination of many factors and products that I’ve been using in these past 2 months, that has brought me here, so I cannot say with 100% certainty that it is due to this CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion. However, it has certainly helped.

They changed the formula!

I bought the CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion a while ago, and I then found out recently, that the packaging has been changed, and the formula tweaked. There were many complaints about the new formula.

So I bought a bottle of the new version, to see if I’d like it, before I wrote about it.

Long story short, I think the new version is fine :) For me, it feels similar and it does not irritate my skin nor does it feel much different from the former version.

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I’ve included the ingredient list for both the new and old versions of the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. To my untrained eye, most of the ingredients remain the same. Perhaps there is a slight reordering of the ingredients, but in the main, they’re there. The key ingredients of Niacinamide, Ceramide 1, 3 and 6-II and Hyaluronic Acid are all there.

The new version states “Ultra Lightweight” on the front, which worried me at first. But it seems to feel and to work the same as the old version I’d been using so I have no real complaints there.

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion – Affordable and Effective

Truth to tell, I am quite loathe now to try new moisturizers LOL! That’s a peril of the job right there! How can I try and review other moisturizers, when I know that out there is this very effective, affordable moisturizer that I’d happily recommend to anyone?! :P

The packaging is simple – a slim portable bottle topped with a pump. It does only contain 89ml of product, but that is a full 39ml more product than most face creams and lotions.

It retails at about US$19.99 (approx RM80) a bottle which to me is affordable. It is however, not available in Malaysia at this time, so you will have to buy it online at iHerb (If you’re new the code MPW213 gets you a wee discount).

I don’t think I have anything bad to say about this! It’s a great little moisturizing lotion and I love it to bits! I have 2 bottles. That counts for something LOL! :D

IN A NUTSHELL

The CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion is an affordable moisturizer that is very effective in helping skin strengthen and restore skin barrier functions, and to keep skin calm while providing moisture. It is very portable and works even for dry skin (in hot tropical weather). The texture might feel heavy to some, especially those with oilier skin types, but try the 13-dot technique which might help distribute product more evenly. I love that it is not fragranced, keeps my skin moisturized, not heavy in silicone, and that my skin now looks and feels less dry, stronger, more even toned, and less flushed with heat. I do not have sensitive skin, so I cannot vouch for its efficacy for skin with eczema, redness or sensitivity. But for me, it is a great little product that I will ensure I keep in my skincare cupboard for good!

PROS:
Portable packaging
Moisturizes even dry skin well without feeling heavy or greasy
Skin feels stronger with regular use
Very affordable

CONS:
None other than the fact it is hard to get hold of for those living outside the USA

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone with very sensitive skin, Anyone who wants a basic, simple moisturizer that is affordable and works well

PRICE: US$19.99 RRP for 89ml (Might be cheaper at various drugstores in the USA)

WHERE TO BUY: iHerb (If you’re new the code MPW213 gets you a wee discount)

This is the ingredient list for the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.

Ingredients: Purified water, glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, niacinamide, cetearyl alcohol, ceramide 3, ceramide 6-11, ceramide 1, phytosphingosine, hyaluronic acid, sodium hydroxide, dimethicone, behentrimonium methosulfate, ceteareth-20, polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, cholesterol, xanthan gum, carbomer, disodium EDTA, dipotassium phosphate, potassium phosphate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, methylparaben, propylparaben

Have you tried the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion? Keen to?

I do wish we’d see the brand come back. It wasn’t available here for very long, which might be to do with the change in ownership to L’Oreal. But who knows, maybe that means we’ll see it come back in the future! :) Otherwise, there’s always iHerb where I’d keep buying the products from anyway LOL! :D

Paris B