Cerave Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum – Review

This post will review the Cerave Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid serum.

The other day, I was going through the portfolio of Cerave products that are available in the UK when I stumbled on this product.

I was intrigued because Cerave hasn’t publicised it all, to the best of my knowledge.

It feels like one of those filler products formulated with no real intention.

After researching and discovering that people actually search for reviews for this product, I decided to test it out myself to see if it is worth it.

I’ve done so now, and I’m ready to share my thoughts.

Most of us are familiar with the Cerave brand, especially how it has blown up in popularity over the last couple of years.

They have become a household name and a go-to brand for many seeking effective, affordable skincare.

Their base formula of Hyaluronic Acid and three Essential Ceramides has been shown to work across all skin types.

As long as you find and use the right product. What can I say? Cerave needs no further introduction.

I’ve used several of the brand’s products recently, so check out my Cerave reviews to find what products are worth it.

Let’s get down to business.

First Impressions of the Cerave Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

According to Cerave:

A lightweight hydrating serum with 24-hour hydration, formulated with 3 Essential Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid. Developed with dermatologists the hyaluronic acid gel serum formula helps to protect the natural skin barrier and retain skin moisture.

The moisturising gel-cream formula can be used alone, layered under moisturiser, or as a makeup base

Hydrating serum to helps protect the skin’s natural barrier, retain the skin’s natural moisture and soothe the skin

Enriched with 3 Essential Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin B5

Gentle on the skin

Developed with dermatologists

Ingredient List & Fragrance

If you are familiar with most Cerave products, you’ll know that most of them have a similar formula.

Well, I’m happy to inform you that this hyaluronic acid serum is not any different.

This is great because if your skin is already familiar with the Cerave formula, you can use this product with little to no irritation.

So, let’s see what makes it tick, shall we?

This serum is formulated with the following;

• Glycerin
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Panthenol
• 3 Essential Ceramides
• Cholesterol
• Phytosphingosine

The only different ingredient I can see here is Panthenol, which usually has soothing benefits.

Other than that, it is the same ingredients you’ll find in a Cerave moisturiser, which doesn’t exactly make this product special.

As always, it is alcohol-free, essential oil-free, and fragrance-free.

Packaging, Texture & Consistency

Perhaps the only interesting thing about this product is its texture.

This serum is packaged in a 30ml pump bottle and dispenses just the exact amount you need.

The product comes out as a lightweight gel cream that leans towards a moisturiser rather than a serum.

Upon application, it absorbs immediately into the skin, giving a matte finish.

So, it is non-greasy and non-sticky, with no tacky finish.

Depending on the time of the year, this product can be used on its own as a moisturiser or layered under a moisturiser if you like.

Otherwise, you can skip it and use a heavier moisturiser like the Cerave Moisturising Cream.

Price & Availability

This serum retails for £19/$19 for 30ml, which is not the most affordable.

You can get the Cerave Moisturising Lotion for less and a cheap Hyaluronic Acid for under $10 that will hydrate your skin.

So, if you can’t get it on sale, I suggest you skip it until you can.

Review of the Cerave Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

So, I’ve used this serum a bit just to see if it is worth it, and I can categorically tell you now that it isn’t.

When I discovered that it is more of a moisturiser than a serum, I tried to make it work in my routine.

So I layered it before my moisturiser at night, skipped it during the day and used it alone with my sunscreen.

That way, I could gauge its hydrating and/or moisturising effectiveness.

Performance

As someone who has used tons of hydrating products in the last few years, I find this serum nowhere near as hydrating as my Korean Skincare products.

I would classify it more as a moisturiser than a serum.

Other than that, it is pretty decent but not quite sufficient for my dry, dehydrated skin.

I see people with oily to combination skin who dislike heavy products enjoying this, so it is definitely worth a try if this applies to you.

Other than that, it is a forgettable product. It is not as hydrating as it claims to be, and also not moisturising enough. You’re better off saving money and getting one of the Cerave moisturisers.

In Summary

Cerave probably had the best intentions with the Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, but this is honestly a pass for me, as it is not worth it.