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CeraVe
AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with Sunscreen
Daily moisturizer that aids in repairing the barrier-protecting function of the skin. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen is an essential component of the formulation.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Highlights
Overview of ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredients Explained
Vitamin B3
Review
Overview of ingredients
Active Ingredients: Homosalate (10%), Meradimate (5%), Octinoxate (5%), Octocrylene (2%), Zinc Oxide (6.3%)
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethicone, BHT, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum
Introduction to the Power of CeraVe Moisturizer
Highlights
no fragrance
oil-free
Non-comedogenic
Suitable For All Skin Type
Ingredients
Anti-acne: Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Antimicrobial/antibacterial: Phytosphingosine
Antioxidant: BHT
Chelating: Disodium EDTA
Cell-communicating ingredient: Niacinamide, Phytosphingosine
Emollient: Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Cholesterol
Emulsifying: Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Moisturizer/humectant: Niacinamide, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Perfuming: Propylparaben
Preservative: BHT, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
Solvent: Water
Skin brightening: Niacinamide
Skin-identical ingredients: Glycerin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine
Sunscreen: Homosalate (10%), Octinoxate (5%), Octocrylene (2%), Zinc Oxide (6.3%)
Surfactant/cleansing: Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Viscosity controlling: Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate,
Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients explained
ALSO-CALLED: Water | WHAT-IT-DOES: solvent
Aqua (Water):The Vital Hydrator
The unsung star in skincare and cleaning products is aqua, also known as water. The most typical component of skincare. The majority of the time, it appears right at the top of the ingredient list, indicating that it is the greatest component of the product. Water, the ultimate hydrator, is the foundation of every skincare solution. Its primary function is to restore the skin's moisture levels, resulting in proper hydration and a flawless complexion. Water serves as a base for the other components, enabling them to efficiently permeate the skin and perform their magic.
Aqua satisfies the skin's thirst and replaces moisture that has been lost while acting as a gentle and efficient moisturizing agent in skincare. It is suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, because of its light weight and non-comedogenic properties.
Aqua acts as a crucial carrier in cleaning goods, dissolving pollutants and delicately removing filth and grime. Its solvent qualities make it the ideal foundation for mild cleansers that remove impurities from the face without removing its natural oils.
Cerave Moisturizer
WHAT-IT-DOES: sunscreen
Homosalate (10%)
a chemical sunscreen ingredient that is oil-soluble and provides UVB protection for the skin with a peak at 306 nm (295–315 nm). Homosalate needs to be used in conjunction with other sunscreens because it is not a powerful UV filter on its own (it provides SPF 4.3 protection at the maximum permitted 10% concentration) and is not photostable (it loses 10% of its SPF protection in 45 minutes). However, its main benefit is that it is a liquid and is very good at emulsifying other difficult-to-solubilize powder sunscreen ingredients, such as the well-known Avobenzone.
We don't have the finest news on Homosalate's safety profile. Studies conducted in vitro (in labs) have suggested that it may have some estrogenic activity. Do not be alarmed; these experiments were not carried out on actual people in actual settings. However, if you are the "better safe than sorry" type, use caution while applying full-body and long-lasting sunscreens that include homosalate. Homosalate may be used up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US as of 2020, although the EU is considering limiting its use to just 1.4% (likely starting in 2022).
Meradimate (5%)
Also known as: menthyl anthranilate | WHAT-IT-DOES: Sunscreen
This synthetic sunscreen active offers some UVA protection, but not enough to be considered a stand-alone UVA sunscreen because it only offers protection up to 336 nanometers. effect offers low-level, all-encompassing protective shielding. Meradimate works by absorbing both UVA and UVB rays, giving it a broad spectrum and explaining why it is widely utilized in various products, including lip balms, lipsticks, and moisturizers.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States is now conducting additional safety research on a number of sunscreen active ingredients. Through this research, we hope to learn more about how these sunscreen active ingredients are absorbed, metabolized, and excreted from the body when they are applied topically. It's crucial to understand that your health is not in danger if your body has this or other sunscreen active ingredients. The FDA's recent request for extra research does not include sunscreens with mineral actives (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide), so people who are still worried can choose sunscreens with those components instead. It is anticipated that the additional study being done will confirm the safety of these compounds.
ALSO-CALLED: Octinoxate, Octyl Methoxycinnamate;Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate | WHAT-IT-DOES: sunscreen | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 0
Octinoxate (5%)
The most widely used chemical sunscreen is a clear, oil-soluble, "cosmetically elegant" liquid. It blocks UVB rays with a peak of protection at 310 nm (wavelengths: 280–320 nm). Always choose products that contain additional sunscreens because UVB protection only shields you from UVB rays, not UVA rays (the 320-400 nm range). It is also not very stable; when exposed to sunlight, it sort of degrades and loses its effectiveness (not right away, but gradually; within 35 minutes, it only retains 10% of its SPF protection capabilities). It can and should be coupled with other sunscreen agents to increase its stability in order to provide stable and broad-spectrum protection (the next-generation sunscreen agent Tinosorb S is particularly suitable for this).
There are potential safety issues with Octinoxate as well. It may have hormonal (estrogen-like) effects, according to in vitro and animal research (produced in the lab rather than on real people). Do not be alarmed; as the tests were not carried out on actual humans in real-world settings, it is probably overly cautious to completely avoid Octinoxate. To be extra safe, select a physical (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) or modern Tinosorb-based sunscreen if you are pregnant or have a young child (under 2 years old). Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, in general, is a traditional chemical sunscreen ingredient. Despite the fact that there are many more effective sun protection solutions available today, sunscreen is still regarded as "safe as used" and is widely accessible (can be purchased anywhere on the globe).
Octocrylene (2%)
WHAT-IT-DOES: Sunscreen
An oil-soluble chemical sunscreen ingredient having a peak absorption of 304 nm that shields skin from UVB and certain UVA II rays. Although its own level of protection is insufficient, it is quite photostable (losing 10% of SPF protection in 95 minutes) and is frequently used to stabilize other UV-filters that are photo-unstable, such as Avobenzone. Additionally, it is frequently utilized to increase a product's water resistance. The safety profile of octocrylene is normally very high, although a review study in Contact Dermatitis notes that there are "increasing numbers of patients with photocontact allergies to octocrylene." It primarily affects sensitive skin in children and individuals who are sensitive to ketoprofen therefore, if you have a young child, it is generally best to use sunscreens free of octocrylene.
Zinc Oxide (6.3%) - Goodie
WHAT-IT-DOES: Sunscreen| IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 1
In terms of sunscreen ingredients, zinc oxide very well rules the field. It's a physical (or inorganic) sunscreen that shares many characteristics with Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), another inorganic sunscreen, but outperforms TiO2 in a few areas. If physical sunscreens don't tell you anything, continue reading to learn the fundamentals. The majority of what we said about titanium dioxide also applies to zinc oxide, so we'll concentrate on the contrasts in this section.
ALSO-CALLED: vitamin B3, nicotinamide | WHAT-IT-DOES: cell-communicating ingredient, skin brightening, anti-acne, moisturizer/humectant
Niacinamide: The Powerhouse
Nicotinamide, often known as vitamin B3, is a cellular communicator, skin brightener, anti-acne agent, and humectant. a multifaceted skincare superstar with a number of skin advantages that have been demonstrated Excellent wrinkle-smoothing and anti-aging substances utilized at a concentration of 4-5% acetyl glucosamine and amino sugar alone or in combination fade brown patches. increases the production of ceramides, which strengthen and improve the skin barrier and improve skin moisture. can aid in the improvement of a number of skin disorders, including rosacea, acne, and atopic dermatitis.
WHAT-IT-DOES: ALSO-CALLED: Glycerol | WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient, moisturizer/humectant | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 0
Superstar Glycerin
A natural humectant found in our skin. A very common, affordable, efficient, and safe chemical that has been in use for more than 50 years. A basic moisturizer that is much more than that: It retains our skin's lipids in a healthy (liquid crystal) state between our skin cells, guards against irritation, and aids in barrier restoration. Effective at concentrations as low as 3%, with further advantages for dry skin at 20–40% . Using high-glycerin moisturizers to treat really dry skin is fantastic.
Cetearyl Alcohol
WHAT-IT-DOES: emollient, viscosity controlling, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, surfactant/cleansing | IRRITANCY: 1 | COMEDOGENICITY: 2
A very popular multipurpose component that gives creams and lotions body and an emollient sensation for your skin. Despite the fact that it is not an emulsifier in and of itself, it aids in the stabilization of oil-water mixtures (emulsions). The majority of cream-type formulations typically use it at a level of 2-3%. It is a mixture of cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, two additional emollient fatty alcohols. Although it is an alcohol chemically speaking (it has a -OH group in its molecule), it has completely distinct qualities from drying or low molecular weight alcohols like denat. alcohol. Since fatty alcohols contain a very lengthy oil-soluble (and hence emollient) tail component, they are completely safe for use on skin.
WHAT-IT-DOES: surfactant/cleansing
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
It is mostly used in haircare products as an antistatic (which prevents your hair from flying around due to electricity), hair conditioning, and softening ingredient. When combined with cetearyl alcohol, they create an emulsifier duo that is simple to use, extremely stable, has great spreadability, and adds a pleasing finishing touch to the products.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
WHAT-IT-DOES: emulsifying
A supporting substance that serves as a co-emulsifier (i.e., works with other emulsifiers in the recipe to aid in the mixing of water and oil) and foam stabilizing agent. Additionally, it exhibits some antibacterial activity, increasing the efficiency of the preservative system.
WHAT-IT-DOES: emollient | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 1
Dimethicone
The silicone that is most likely to be encountered, It is a polymer (a molecule made of repeating subunits) with a range of molecular weights and viscosities, from thin liquid to thick liquid. In terms of skincare, it gives the skin a faint gloss, a silky smooth finish, and a protective barrier (also known as an occlusive). Additionally, it works effectively to conceal fine lines and wrinkles and give skin a plump appearance (although this effect is only brief). Additionally, there are scar therapy gels on the market that use dimethicone as their primary component. Scars become softer and more elastic as a result. Since it is a non-volatile silicone, it does not evaporate from the hair and smooths it better than any other product. Depending on the nature of your hair, it could be a little challenging to wash out and result in some buildup (note that this is only true with non-volatile silicones).
BHT
Butylated hydroxytoluene is referred to by this abbreviation. It is a typical synthetic preservative and antioxidant. BHT is the subject of some debate. It has been used as an additive in both food and cosmetics since the 1970s, so it is not a new substance. Many studies have attempted to determine if it is a carcinogen or not. According to the CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review), BHT is safe to use in cosmetics and is only used in small amounts (often between 0.01-0.1%) because it does not penetrate the skin deeply enough to enter the bloodstream.
ALSO-CALLED: Butylated Hydroxy Toluene | WHAT-IT-DOES: antioxidant, preservative
ALSO-CALLED: Ceramide 3 | WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient
Goodie: Ceramide NP
One of the numerous kinds of ceramides that occur naturally in the epidermis. Ceramides serve a crucial function in maintaining a good skin barrier and keeping the skin moisturized, making up around 50% of the gooey substance between our skin cells. In combination with its friend, Ceramide 1, it performs even better.
Goodie: Ceramide AP
A particular kind of ceramide that occurs naturally in the epidermis. Ceramides, which make up 50% of the gooey substance found in between our skin cells, are crucial for maintaining a good skin barrier and keeping the skin moisturized.
Goodie: Ceramide EOP
There is good news: there is a reason why ceramides are currently receiving so much attention. But first, let's quickly establish what the heck ceramides are before getting into the specifics: They are waxy lipids that are naturally present in the stratum corneum, or outer layer, of the skin. And they are present in great numbers! Extracellular matrix, which primarily consists of lipids, is the gooey substance that lies between our skin cells. And around 50% of those lipids are ceramides (the other significant lipids being cholesterol, with 25%, and fatty acids, with 15%).
Ceramide 1, also known as Ceramide EOP more recently, was the first one discovered in 1982 and is a unique snowflake. It has a special structure and contains linoleic acid, an important fatty acid. Ceramide 1 is thought to have a "binding role" in the extracellular matrix's lipid layers. Along with ceramides 4 and 7, they are essential for maintaining the integrity of the epidermis and act as the primary sites for storing linoleic acid, a fatty acid that is also crucial for barrier repair. Oh, and did I mention that alkaline pH inhibits the enzymes that aid in the formation of ceramide in our skin? Therefore, you now understand why your skin could start to feel dry after using soap.
ALSO-CALLED: Ceramide 6 | WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient
ALSO-CALLED: Ceramide 1 | WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient
A large molecule made up of numerous repeating molecules (an acrylic acid polymer), which miraculously transforms a liquid into a lovely gel formula. The thickening typically requires neutralization with a base (such as sodium hydroxide) and results in viscous, transparent gels that feel pleasant and non-tacky on the skin. It makes sense because it is a widely used and popular substance. typically used in formulations at 1% or less.
WHAT-IT-DOES: regulating the viscosity and stabilizing the emulsion | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 1
A silicone known as triethoxycaprylylsilane serves as a binder and emulsion stabilizer. It is frequently used to cover the active ingredients in mineral sunscreens to give them a more attractive texture and look. According to studies, when included in sunscreen formulations, it can also aid in reducing oxidative stress. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) came to the conclusion that triethoxycaprylylsilane can be used to coat sunscreen active ingredients without risk in 2016. This was supported by the Cosmetic Component Review Expert Panel's 2017 safety assessment of this component, which found it to be safe when used according to the recommended procedures and at the maximum recommended concentration of 2.6%.
WHAT-IT-DOES: stabilizing the emulsion
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Methylparaben
The most prevalent kind of parabens, which are generally feared by everyone without good reason. In order to prevent the cosmetic formula from degrading too quickly, this element must be affordable, efficient, and well-tolerated. A 2006 in-vitro (produced in the lab, not on actual people) study on methylparaben (MP) revealed that when exposed to sunlight, MP treated skin cells suffered more damage than non-MP treated skin cells, aside from the wider dispute surrounding parabens (about which we write more here). Although the study was not conducted on actual subjects with real skin, it is still a good idea to use a good sunscreen when using MP-containing products. Actually, it's wise to wear sunscreen at all times.
WHAT-IT-DOES: stabilizing the emulsion | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 0
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
WHAT-IT-DOES: emulsifying
A supporting substance that serves as a co-emulsifier (i.e., works with other emulsifiers in the recipe to aid in the mixing of water and oil) and foam stabilizing agent. Additionally, it exhibits some antibacterial activity, increasing the efficiency of the preservative system.
WHAT-IT-DOES: viscosity controlling, absorbent/mattifier
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
An efficient aid that functions as an oil-absorbing and anti-caking agent and is available as a white powder. Additionally, it gives items qualities like velvet touch, superior spreadability, and durability. Both skincare and makeup products use it frequently.
Cholesterol - Goodie
WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient, emollient IRRITANCY: 0 COMEDOGENICITY: 0
It's one of the significant lipids that are naturally present in the skin's outer layer. Cholesterol makes up around 25% of the slimy substance that lies in between our skin cells. They are essential for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and keeping the skin moisturized, working in tandem with ceramides and fatty acids. It functions as an emollient, a stabilizer, and a key skin-identical component.
Disodium EDTA
WHAT-IT-DOES: chelating
A very popular tiny helper component that prolongs the stability and niceness of products. It accomplishes this by neutralizing the metal ions in the formula (which typically enter there through water) that, if left unchecked, might lead to some undesirable modifications. Usually, only very little amounts—say, 0.1% or less—are used.
ALSO-CALLED: HEC | WHAT-IT-DOES: viscosity controlling, emulsion stabilising
Hydroxyethylcellulose
A useful element that helps thicken cosmetic goods and produce lovely gel compositions. It comes from cellulose, which makes up the majority of the cell walls of green plants. It works well with the majority of co-ingredients and provides excellent slip to the recipes.
Propylparaben
WHAT-IT-DOES: preservative, perfuming | IRRITANCY: 0 | COMEDOGENICITY: 0
A fairly prevalent class of parabens that are largely feared without scientific justification. In order to prevent the cosmetic formula from degrading too quickly, this element is affordable, efficient, and well-tolerated.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid - Goodie
WHAT-IT-DOES: moisturizer/humectant
Hyaluronic acid that has undergone the hydrolysis process, which entails transforming a substance from one form to another by the addition of water or enzymes, is referred to as hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid. Because pure hyaluronic acid is a huge molecule, it produces a version of hyaluronic acid in this situation that has a smaller molecular weight and can therefore more easily permeate skin. The skin's surface layers experience greater moisture as a result of the decreased molecular weight. The fact that it functions differently does not imply that hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid is superior to non-hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid. In order to ensure that your skin care regimen is as effective as possible, it is advisable to use many types of hyaluronic acid, including the more bioavailable sodium hyaluronate.
Phytosphingosine - Goodie
WHAT-IT-DOES: skin-identical ingredient, cell-communicating ingredient, anti-acne, antimicrobial/antibacterial
It is a particular class of lipid known as a sphingoid base, which occurs naturally in the epidermis of the skin. It can be found both "free-form" and as a component of ceramides, well-known skin lipids. New research on phytosphingosine suggests that it has antibacterial and cell-communicating characteristics and is thought to be a component of the skin's natural defensive mechanism.
Xanthan Gum
WHAT-IT-DOES: Controls viscosity, stabilizes emulsions
It is one of the most widely used emulsion stabilizers and thickeners. A small amount of xanthan gum will make the mixture more gel-like if it is excessively watery. It is an excellent team player and is typically paired with other thickeners and so-called rheology modifiers (assistant chemicals that change the flow and hence the feel of the formula). Used alone, it can make the formula sticky. The average Xantha Gum consumption level is less than 1%; it often falls between 0.1% and 0.5%. By the way, Xanthan gum is completely natural; it is a polysaccharide chain created through fermentation from individual sugar molecules (glucose and sucrose). It has Ecocert approval and is employed in the food business (E415).
