This post will be reviewing the Cerave SA Smoothing Cream.
In one of my previous posts on my Body Skincare Routine for Hyperpigmentation, I talked about how I recently stopped neglecting the skin on my body.
I mean, it is nice to have soft, supple facial skin with slight hyperpigmentation.
But my body is nothing to write home about.
It still is. It’s riddled with Keratosis Pilaris and scars.
So, I searched for the best products to use and basically just created a body skincare routine.
In the last few months, I’ve gone from using leftover products for my face on body to getting dedicated body care products.
I’ve tried different exfoliating cleansers, scrubs and creams with AHA and BHA just to find something that works.
If you think getting rid of facial hyperpigmentation is long, body hyperpigmentation is even longer.
It requires a whole lot of patience from you.
One of the products I’m currently using is Cerave SA Smoothing Cream.
I bought my first tube at CDG Airport in Paris earlier in the year. When it was exhausted after about three months, I went to Boots to get a jar.
I’ve used 3/4 of the jar, and I’m ready to dive deep into the effectiveness of this product.
First Impressions of the Cerave SA Smoothing Cream
While you can use this cream on your face, I think this product is specifically formulated for body care.
Overview
As the name implies, this is a smoothing/exfoliating cream targeted towards anyone with dry, rough or bumpy skin.
In other words, if you have any kind of body acne or suffer from mild skin conditions like Keratosis Pilaris, this cream is for you.
It attempts to moisturize your skin with Ceramides by smoothing it with AHA & BHA.
Ingredient List
The Cerave SA Smoothing Cream has the signature Ceramides (Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP and Ceramide EOP) and Hyaluronic Acid with all Cerave products.
As a smoothing cream, this is a superior product to its counterpart, the Cerave Moisturizing Cream.
It has exfoliants like Lactic and Salicylic Acid as well as Niacinamide to exfoliate and brighten the skin.
It also has Shea Butter, 10% Urea, Glycerin and Cholesterol to moisturize the skin and improve its moisture barrier.
This non-irritating formula has been well put together in that it doesn’t have any side – effects.
It’s excellent to use every day without the fear of over-exfoliating your body.
Texture & Consistency
This product has a rich, thick texture with a creamy consistency, which is one of the things that attracted me to the product.
I have dry, dehydrated skin, and thick moisturizers are always appreciated.
My only issue with this product is its non-greasy formula.
While I understand this is a safe choice that will work across most skin types, I find it drying somewhat.
Again, with my dry, dehydrated skin, I appreciate greasy moisturizers.
This way, I don’t have to go over them with the body oil and/or balm afterwards.
Price & Size
This product is easy to find in a drugstore, except it sometimes flies off the shelves without notice.
So you’re better off buying online, where you are guaranteed a product.
It comes in a tube of 177ml and a jar of 340g.
For their prices depending on how you use them, they can last up to three months or more.
Review of the Cerave SA Smoothing Cream
To be honest, when I started using this product, I didn’t have any wild expectations.
This is because I know how difficult it is to eliminate body hyperpigmentation.
So, I wasn’t expecting any three-day magic like the product claims.
One of the ways to avoid disappointments with your body care products is to avoid high expectations.
The skin on our body is thicker and tougher, and it might take years to get rid of certain conditions.
The most important thing is to get a body skincare routine and be consistent with the right products.
How I Use It
About a year ago, I began to layer my body care products.
It started last winter and has been adjusted to work with the various seasons.
I currently have two body care routines: the shower and the post-shower routine.
My dry, dehydrated skin absorbs moisture very quickly, so I have to layer as many products as necessary.
Plus, I’m also treating body hyperpigmentation as well.
My Shower Routine involves;
- Cleansing with a BHA or Moisturizing Cleanser
- Followed by exfoliating with a BHA Body scrub.
- Then, I hydrate with a lightweight lotion before I leave the shower.
My Post-shower Routine involves;
- Layering my treatment/serum, I repurposed for my face on my body.
- Moisturizing with the Cerave SA Smoothing Cream
- Finishing up with a Body Oil Gel.
As you can see, I use the Cerave SA Smoothing Cream in the fifth step of my routine because it is thick and acts like an occlusive.
Cerave SA Smoothing Cream Dupe & Alternatives
Amlactin Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
Alpha Renewal Body Lotion
Cerave SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Paula’s Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion
In Conclusion,
In terms of results, I noticed that my skin is definitely softer and smoother.
Most of my chest acne has also disappeared.
But has my Keratosis Pilaris on my legs gone? Nope!
To be honest, I don’t expect it to. I’ve had it most of my life, and it will take more than three months of a product to get rid of it.
So, if your KP or chicken skin is still fresh or you’re looking for a non-irritating, non-greasy daily exfoliating body lotion, you will definitely get results with this product.
If you want to boost your results with this product, use it with the Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser.
Using both together is an affordable way to encourage consistency with your skincare routine.
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