I've Tried Every Single CeraVe Product—Here's My Definitive Ranking

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There's no denying that CeraVe is having a moment. It's arguably the buzziest beauty brand on TikTok and one of the most popular drugstore skincare brands of 2023. Dermatologists love it, influencers love it, and beauty editors love it—myself included. Even before I became an editor, CeraVe was a regular part of my skincare routine. Over the years, I've 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. Here's a sneak peek of the rankings:

So if you're in the market for some new skincare, or are just curious to know which CeraVe products are the must-trys, keep scrolling for the full ranking of the best CeraVe products, starting with our number one pick overall...

Moisturizing Cream

This moisturizer is the best product CeraVe makes IMO. It's constantly recommended by dermatologists and has won countess beauty awards and industry accolades over the years. You can use it on your face and your body (a rarity in the skincare world) and it's suitable for pretty much every skin type—from dry and sensitive to oily and acne-prone. The formula is considered a cream, but it's fairly lightweight while still being ultra-hydrating thanks to hyaluronic acid and ceramides. In my testing experience, it absorbs quickly without any greasy residue—plus it's non-comedogenic so it's highly unlikely to clog your pores or cause breakouts.

Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser

No matter your skin type or skin concerns, there's a 99.9 percent chance CeraVe's Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser will work for you. The 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.

Just don't confuse this face wash with CeraVe's Hydrating Facial Cleanser (the packaging/label looks nearly identical). The basic hydrating facial cleanser is not my favorite and, in my experience, doesn't fully remove makeup or make my skin feel clean, so I'd personally skip that one unless your skin is extremely dry and/or sensitive.

Resurfacing Retinol Serum

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). Secondly, 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.

Renewing SA Cleanser

This probably my favorite face wash of all time, which is really saying a lot considering I've literally tested hundreds in my 10-year career as beauty editor. I'm ranking it below the Hydrating Cream to Foam cleanser because not everyone needs an exfoliating cleanser in their routine, but damn, 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 over-doing it IMO. I love it for removing makeup, giving my skin a deep clean, and smoothing any bumpy, uneven texture.

Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

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.

Hydrating Mineral Face Sunscreen transparent Tint

IDK why more people don't talk about this mineral sunscreen. It's one of my favorite everyday face sunscreens—and it has more than 36,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, so it's not just me who is obsessed. The SPF 30 formula uses a combo of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to shield skin from UVA and UVB rays along with niacinamide to soothe and brighten skin and ceramides to lock in moisture. And because it has a super transparent tint, it blends seamlessly into all skin tones—from super fair to super deep— without creating any white or ashy effect. Also great? It's oil-free, non-comedogenic, and fragrance-free so you don't need to worry about it breaking you our or aggravating your skin.

Acne Foaming Cream Wash with Benzoyl Peroxide 10%

Over the summer, 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. While I'm in the shower, I massage it onto my face, chest, and shoulder and then step out of the water while I shave my legs so the formula has a minute or two to penetrate my skin and do it's thing before I rinse.

Eye Repair Cream

Cosmo contributor Lisa DeSantis dubbed this "the white tee shirt of eye creams"and I couldn't agree more. It's a staple product that you can always rely on to reduce dark circles, minimize puffiness, and moisturize your delicate eye area. And I love how it plumps up fine lines so when you layer concealer on top it doesn't get creasy or settle into fine lines. It's also fragrance-free, which is especially important in an eye cream since the skin around your eyes is more prone to irritation.

Healing Ointment

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 do everything from highlight my cheekbones (it truly gives skin the dewiest, glazed donut-effect) 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.

Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel

If you have super oily skin or just hate the feel of creams on your face, this lightweight gel-cream may just be your new favorite product. It works similarly to CeraVe's OG Moisturizing Cream (both formulas contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide), but has a transparent, gel texture that soaks into skin quickly with zero heaviness or greasy residue. I used it on repeat all summer and my face loved the lightweight hydration, especially on hot, humid days. Also! It's a 2023 Cosmo Acne Award winner, so you know it's legit.

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.

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