CeraVe is a brand of dermatologist-developed skin care products that are formulated with the primary goal of repairing and strengthening the skin’s natural barrier. Why? Well, the importance of a strong, intact skin barrier can be compared to the importance of having a strong, intact roof on your house. If your roof is damaged or weak, the interior of your home could be damaged by things like rain, wind, or even animal intruders. Similarly, a damaged or weak skin barrier allows things like bacteria, pollutants, or other irritants to pass through the top layers of your skin and cause damage.
Plus, a weak barrier also allows moisture to escape from the skin. Ultimately, this leads to common skin concerns such as acne, rashes, and sensitive skin.
Since there are many factors in our modern environment that can weaken the skin’s barrier — pollution, environmental toxins, harsh cleansers, etc. — the CeraVe skin care products were formulated with specific ingredients that would help to repair and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. In this review, we’ll discuss the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, including the key ingredients, reviews from real customers, an alternative for you to consider, and more.
What’s Inside CeraVe Eye Repair Cream?
All CeraVe skin care products contain essential ceramides that your skin needs to help restore and maintain its natural barrier. The CeraVe Eye Repair Cream formula includes ceramide Np, ceramide Ap, and ceramide Eop. But what exactly are ceramides and how can they benefit your skin? Read on to learn the science behind topical application of ceramides.
Ceramides
Ceramides are a family of waxy lipid molecules that are naturally produced by the skin and are vital in supporting the stratum corneum (the outer layer of skin).
According to Healthline, the stratum corneum is sometimes described as a brick wall. The layers of corneocytes (dead skin cells) are like bricks, mortared together by lipids (ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids) that create the skin barrier.
A properly functioning stratum corneum is essential for healthy skin as it maintains epidermal hydration and serves as a barrier that responds to environmental stressors, infections, irritants, and allergens.
Without ceramides, the skin barrier is weakened, just like without mortar a brick wall would be weak and unstable. The result is skin that can easily become dry, itchy, or irritated.
That’s why applying products that contain ceramides — such as Stratia Liquid Gold — can help to replenish ceramide levels, thus restoring the skin’s natural barrier.
Niacinamide
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream includes a pretty high concentration of niacinamide, one of our favorite skincare ingredients.
Here’s why we love niacinamide: A publication in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, states that niacinamide can repair the skin barrier and improve skin moisture, as well as reduce inflammation, blotchiness, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkling. Pretty impressive, right?
Niacinamide is able to provide all of these benefits because it’s a potent antioxidant.
Antioxidants protect skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that can attack important cellular components — such as DNA, cell membranes, and proteins like collagen — causing damage. This damage is known as “oxidative stress” and over time this stress can lead to signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration.
A final benefit is niacinamide’s ability to prevent and reduce acne due to its antimicrobial and sebostatic effects, meaning it can help protect against the bacteria that cause acne while also helping to reduce oil production.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is another key ingredient in CeraVe Eye Repair Cream. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent ingredient to use for increasing skin hydration. That’s because hyaluronic acid is able to absorb and hold more water than any other natural substance—up to 1,000 times its weight in water!
Furthermore, according to the scholarly journal DermatoEndocrinology, hyaluronic acid helps to reduce signs of aging by protecting collagen and decreasing epidermal water loss associated with sun exposure, low humidity, and other external factors associated with skin dryness.
We recommend this moisturizer because it combines hyaluronic acid with plant-based ingredients that are gentler on skin, leaving it softer and smoother.
Red Algae Extract
One unique ingredient that you’ll find in the CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is asparagopsis armata extract, which is a red algae extract. When applied to the skin, Asparagopsis armata is just like other algae — it provides moisturizing benefits to help keep the skin soft and hydrated. Algal proteins also provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thereby offering protection to the skin.
What is CeraVe Eye Repair Cream?
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is a non-greasy, fast-absorbing, fragrance-free eye cream that is said to reduce the appearance of dark circles and eye puffiness, while also smoothing and brightening the delicate skin around the eyes. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream can be used by all skin types, and is even accepted by the National Eczema Association. In addition, this is an ophthalmologist-tested product that has been recognized as safe for use around the eyes.
How to Use CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
You can use CeraVe Eye Repair Cream on bare skin or under makeup. The cream is formulated for use twice a day and should be applied to clean, dry skin. Use clean fingertips to dab the cream around the eyes and then carefully massage it into the skin without applying too much pressure. Since CeraVe Eye Repair Cream contains no UV protection, the application of a broad spectrum sunscreen on top of this product is recommended.
Where is CeraVe Eye Repair Cream Sold?
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream and other CeraVe skin care products are not sold on the brand’s website. You must buy CeraVe skin care products on third party ecommerce websites such as Amazon, eBay, Ulta, and more. CeraVe skin care products are also sold in physical retail locations throughout the United States, such as Walmart, Target, Walgreens, etc. CeraVe has a store locator on their website so you can find a location near you.
What is The CeraVe Return Policy?
CeraVe does not have a return policy on their website since they do not sell products on their website and, therefore, don’t accept returns.
Is CeraVe Cruelty Free?
CeraVe is not cruelty free. CeraVe is owned by L’Oréal, a company that tests on animals. L’Oréal does not conduct animal testing on their products or ingredients, nor ask others to test on our behalf, except when required by law. Since L’Oréal products are sold in China, they must test their products on animals by law. The good news is that L’Oreal has invested more than $1 billion over the last 25 years to develop innovative, alternative methods to animal testing, particularly in the area of reconstructed tissue development. L’Oreal and CeraVe are committed to a future without tests on animals.
What Are Some Alternatives to CeraVe Eye Repair Cream?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging around the eyes, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend their eye cream.
References:
1. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 30 Nov 2016, 9(12):26-32
2. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012 Jul 1; 4(3): 253–258
