Tired of sticky hydrating serums? Try the CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the CeraVe products I’ve been using, but I’ll straight-up tell you that I’m on the fence about the CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

You’d think I’d be falling all over it, seeing as to how I waxed lyrical about the Vitamin C serum, and potentially other products I’ve tried from the brand. Also, it’s a hyaluronic acid serum, which, if you know me, means it’s a staple product in my skincare routine. I’m very big on hydrating serums.

So why am I rather ambivalent about it?

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

As the name of the product implies, this is a straight-up hydrating serum, targeting dry and dehydrated skin. It contains that old stalwart, hyaluronic acid, which binds and holds moisture on your skin surface, providing up to 24 hours hydration.

In addition, it contains three essential ceramides to restore and maintain your skin’s natural protective barrier, as well as vitamin B5 to soothe dry skin.

I like how this, like all CeraVe products, contain ceramides, that help protect and restore your skin’s protective barrier. Strengthening the skin barrier is the first step towards preventing moisture loss, and thereby, dehydrated skin. I like that it addresses this problem, as well as helping boost moisture as well.

Thick gel-cream texture

What surprised me first, when using it, is that it pumps out of the bottle a fairly thick gel-cream texture. Most hydrating serums that we are used to, often come in liquid or watery forms.

The CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum is targeted at those with normal to dry skin, so this texture might sit well with someone who has drier skin, but may not be as comfortable to someone with oily skin. This is because this is a serum, and not a moisturiser. You do have to layer another layer of moisturiser over, to seal in the product.

Someone who has oily skin may find this adds too much product to their skin.

I have dry skin, and I personally find this very comfortable even used as a serum. It sits nicely under a moisturiser (I’m currently finishing up my Evolve cream) and it does not feel very heavy nor uncomfortable.

No sticky residue

I do find that it absorbs nicely into the skin without any sticky residue, as other hyaluronic acid serums are wont to do. Very often, I find myself applying my hyaluronic acid serums on damp skin, or misting my skin after applying the serum, to help the product absorb more readily.

You don’t have this problem with the CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum. There is no residue at all on the skin and there is no sticky after feel.

In fact, it works just as well even if I don’t dampen my skin beforehand. It feels comfortable.

If you struggle with hyaluronic acid serums being sticky, then this one might be one you can try.

Skin feels comfortable but not noticeably hydrated

I’m familiar with hydrating serums, and keep them as a staple in my skincare routine. I usually use them as part of my morning routine, to keep skin hydrated throughout a hot tropical day.

The CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum makes my skin feel comfortable but not noticeably hydrated. My skin isn’t dehydrated, but it doesn’t feel as lovely and plumped as when I use other hydration serums.

This might be why I’m not exactly enamoured with it.

It’s just alright as far as a product goes. It might even be a comfortable moisturiser for someone with oily skin, but as far as serums go, I don’t find this to be particularly impressive.

I actually stopped using it for a week or so, and I did not miss it. In that time of course, I was still using the CeraVe Vitamin C serum which I thoroughly enjoy.

RELATED READING: I tried the Melano CC Vitamin C Brightening Essence before it was available here, and it’s my favourite budget Vitamin C serum! READ HERE

I think the main problem I have with the CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum is that it is rather joy-less. It doesn’t excite me to use it, and it doesn’t make my skin look or feel much different. It probably works, but I cannot see it being the most enjoyable product anyone will use in their skincare routine.

IN A NUTSHELL

The CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a gel-cream textured serum that targets hydration concerns for those with normal-dry skin. It has hyaluronic acid as its key ingredient, alongside ceramides and Vitamin B5 to soothe skin. It seems to do what it says, i.e. hydrate. However, from someone with dry skin, I don’t notice any significant improvements to my skin. In terms of texture, it is comfortable and does not leave a residue. For me, it sits well under my moisturiser and sunscreen. I have no problems with pilling whatsoever. However, it does not bring me much joy and for now I’d prefer to use other hydrating serums.

PROS:
Comfortable on skin
No sticky residue
Hydrates skin and sits well under moisturiser and sunscreen
Comfortable for those with dry skin

CONS:
Best suited for those with drier skin due to the texture
Hydration benefits were not significant

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who does not like sticky goopy textures of most hydrating serum

PRICE: RM108 | US$19.99 | £17 for 30ml

WHERE TO BUY: Threebs website, Ulta, LookFantastic, FeelUnique

For those interested, this is the ingredients list for the CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

Aqua / Water, Glycerin1 Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Polyacrylate, Crosspolymer 6, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin (code F.i.l. D256346/1)

I will note that although it contains silicones, I do not find the texture particularly annoying, and I do not notice it. I do notice that other people have complained about it pilling on them. I hazard a guess that it could be to do with using a little too much product, or layering with a cream that has a higher silicone content. I personally did not experience any pilling nor discomfort.

Is this CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum one that you might try? Do you have a favourite hydrating serum at the moment?

I must say that I think I prefer hydrating serums that are more liquid or goopy. It feels nicer to me, and I like how it feels after I apply it on damp skin. It just seems to perk the skin up like a dry garden after rainfall LOL! 😀

Paris B

Disclosure: Featured products were press samples by the store for consideration. Our commitment is to honesty and fairness. For review guidelines please read the disclaimer.