Cerave Intensive Moisturizing Lotion – Review

This post will review the Cerave Intensive Moisturizing Lotion.

If there’s one thing I’ve been trying to focus on in the last year, it is body care.

I feel like the industry is oversaturated with so much for facial care there’s nearly not enough for body care.

Fortunately, I can see a gradual shift in the market as more products are popping up.

Even though the focus is mostly on body washes and lotions, it is better than nothing.

We don’t even have body lotions with a high percentage of actives that would make a huge difference despite brands knowing that the skin on the body is tougher and requires more potent products.

Hopefully, the massive gap in the body care market will reduce significantly in the next couple of years.

As a massive fan of Cerave products, I’m always looking for new releases.

So when I saw this newly released body moisturizer, I was ecstatic, especially since I’ve been searching for a lightweight body lotion to use this Summer.

Best believe, I immediately ordered it from Amazon US, and it was delivered in a few days.

I’ve used it now and am excited to share my thoughts.

First Impressions of the Cerave Intensive Moisturizing Lotion

According to Cerave:

CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion features an innovative formula with three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and 5% Hydro-Urea™ (a blend of natural moisturizing factors).

The formula features MVE Delivery Technology, which gradually releases moisturizing ingredients for long-lasting, 72-hour hydration.

It’s also allergy-tested, fragrance-free, pH-balanced, and suitable for all skin types (even sensitive skin).

For best results, use this lotion for very dry skin daily for noticeably smoother, softer, and healthier-looking skin.

Ingredient List & Fragrance

Before diving into what makes this moisturizer different from the existing and incredibly popular Cerave Moisturizing Lotion, you might want to know that this moisturizer also has the same Cerave base formula, which comprises:

• Three Essential Ceramides
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Sodium PCA
• Vitamin E and
• Cholesterol

Honestly, with this base formula in essentially all their products, there’s no reason they shouldn’t launch new products frequently, but that’s beside the point.

What makes this Cerave Intensive Moisturizing Lotion tick, especially for someone like me with dehydrated skin?

It’s simply the addition of 5% Urea, which Cerave describes as Hydro-Urea, a blend of urea and natural moisturizing factors.

While I try to use a minimum of 10% Urea in my body lotions (anything more, and it becomes a sticky mess), this is not too bad, especially since they have combined it with a heavy dose of Shea Butter.

Also, it looks like Cerave stuck to 5% Urea, so the product can be used on the face.

So, if you have dry to dehydrated skin, you should look for products with emollients such as Urea, Shea Butter, Mineral Oil and Petrolatum.

No, mineral oil is not bad for your skin; it is precisely what your tight, itchy skin needs.

Fragrance

Similar to the rest of the Cerave products, this also smells like nothing.

While I appreciate scented body products, doing this will alienate people with sensitive skin, and if there’s one thing Cerave will do, it is catering to everyone.

Packaging, Texture & Consistency

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed with the size of the product.

While I understand that Cerave wants brand uniformity, I do not appreciate this tiny 237ml pump bottle, which will probably be exhausted in a month.

So, I’m hoping Cerave also launches in bigger sizes that are synonymous with body lotions in the future.

The pump is also excellent and dispenses just the right amount of needed product.

Price & Availability

The product was just released and is currently only available on Amazon. It retails for $18/£14, which isn’t too bad for a drugstore product.

It is also in the same price range as the rest of the Cerave products in this size.

Review of the Cerave Intensive Moisturizing Lotion

Over the years, I’ve gone from having robust facial routines to a more streamlined routine due to using more prescription-grade products.

So, for the longest time, I didn’t pay too much attention to body care, mostly due to the availability of products.

But now that I use fewer products on my face, I found that the only way I can continue indulging in self-care is to finally figure out what to use on my body to treat my numerous concerns.

Naturally, I gravitate towards products with actives that tackle my keratosis pilaris, hyperpigmentation and anti-ageing concerns.

In my experience, many of these products are typically not moisturizing enough for my skin.

So, I still need to pair these actives with heavy moisturizers.

Performance

While I tend to go for the thickest moisturizers on the market for the colder months, I still opt for lightweight moisturizers during the warmer months.

There’s nothing worse than feeling hot and sweaty during the Summer because your moisturizer is too thick.

My first impression of this moisturizer immediately after it arrived was that it wasn’t thick enough compared to my French Pharmacy moisturizers such as La Roche Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M and Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume.

But then I used it from shoulder to toe, and the product shone.

It felt deeply moisturizing without the greasy finish, and I could go the entire day without looking ashy.

I could immediately tell that the Shea Butter and Urea were doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Verdict

I love it; it is exactly what my dehydrated skin needs this season.

While it would probably not be adequate for me in the winter, I could pair it with heavy body oil, which could work.

It is exactly what Cerave claims: lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-greasy.

So, if you already like the Cerave Moisturizing Lotion and want something thicker for your body for the winter, the Intensive Moisturizing Lotion is for you.

Cerave Intensive Moisturizing Lotion vs Cerave Moisturizing Lotion

I’m sure you’re wondering what the difference between the two products is.

The biggest difference is the texture due to the ingredients the products have been formulated with.

The Intensive Moisturizing Lotion has Shea Butter and Urea as the third and fourth ingredients, which automatically impact the texture and consistency of the product.

While they are both lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers, one is heavier and richer than the other.

Simply put, the Cerave Intensive Moisturizing Lotion is a richer version of the Cerave Moisturizing Lotion.

Can the Cerave Intensive Moisturizing Lotion be used on the face?

Yes, it definitely can, as the product has been formulated for use on the face and body.

But I’m particular about the products I use on my face, so I wouldn’t.

In Conclusion,

I’m definitely impressed with this moisturizer.

It’s probably the only new release that I can actually use since the release of the Cerave Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser, which is now a staple in my daily routine.

Every other release has been a hit-and-miss for me, especially the sunscreens, so this is great.

What else can I say?

I love it, and I think you should try it too.