CeraVe Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream

A lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer formulated with Niacinamide, Ceramides, and Hyaluronic Acid to repair the skin barrier without feeling heavy or greasy.

Performance Rating: 4.5

This formula features a high concentration of Niacinamide (listed second), which is excellent for strengthening the skin barrier, regulating oil production, and soothing redness. It includes the “golden trio” of lipid replenishment: Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP), Cholesterol, and Phytosphingosine, which work synergistically to restore skin health. Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin provide effective hydration, while the inclusion of Silica and Corn Starch suggests a lightweight, non-greasy finish, making it suitable for a wide range of skin types.

Safety Rating: 4.5

The product is fragrance-free and does not contain essential oils or drying alcohols, making it highly suitable for sensitive skin. Preservatives like Phenoxyethanol are standard and safe. The only minor caution is Isopropyl Myristate, an emollient that can be potentially comedogenic (pore-clogging) for very specific acne-prone skin types, though the inclusion of Niacinamide helps mitigate breakout risks.

Final Rating: 4.5

This is an exceptional, well-rounded moisturizer formulation. It combines powerful barrier-repairing ingredients with soothing agents in a texture that balances hydration with a matte finish. It serves as a benchmark formula for affordable yet scientifically robust skincare, ideal for maintaining a healthy moisture barrier.

Verdict

This formulation represents a gold standard in drugstore skincare, prioritizing barrier health and functional ingredients over unnecessary fillers. At the heart of the formula is Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), appearing very high on the ingredient list. This powerhouse ingredient is excellent for calming inflammation, brightening skin tone, and regulating oil production, making the product particularly beneficial for those prone to redness or acne.

Complementing the Niacinamide is a robust lipid blend featuring Ceramides (NP, AP, EOP), Phytosphingosine, and Cholesterol. This combination mimics the skin’s natural lipid structure, effectively restoring the protective barrier and preventing transepidermal water loss. The addition of Sodium Hyaluronate and Glycerin ensures that the skin receives a deep dose of hydration, keeping it plump and supple throughout the night. Unlike many heavy barrier creams, this product utilizes Zea Mays (Corn) Starch and Silica to provide a unique textural finish. These ingredients absorb excess sebum, resulting in a lightweight, semi-matte feel that does not leave a sticky residue.

While the formula is generally non-comedogenic, the inclusion of Isopropyl Myristate is a point of contention for some. Used here as an emollient to improve spreadability and create a velvety texture, it has a comedogenic rating that might trigger congestion in individuals with highly reactive, acne-prone skin. However, for the vast majority of users, this ingredient poses no issue.

The complete absence of fragrance and essential oils makes this an incredibly safe choice for sensitive skin types that react to common allergens. Overall, this is a highly effective, utilitarian moisturizer. It offers the sophisticated ingredients found in high-end luxury creams—specifically the ceramide complex—at an accessible level, making it a staple recommendation for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

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Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Key Active Ingredients / 核心活性成分

🧪 Niacinamide / 烟酰胺

Purpose: Skin brightening, barrier repair, oil control

Concerns: Generally safe, but high concentrations may cause irritation or flushing in sensitive skin.

Notes: A form of Vitamin B3 that is a superstar ingredient for soothing and restoring skin.

🧪 Ceramide NP / 神经酰胺 NP

Purpose: Barrier repair, moisture retention

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: One of the waxy lipid molecules naturally found in the stratum corneum.

🧪 Ceramide AP / 神经酰胺 AP

Purpose: Barrier repair, moisture retention

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Works synergistically with other ceramides to maintain skin structure.

🧪 Ceramide EOP / 神经酰胺 EOP

Purpose: Barrier repair, moisture retention

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Essential for maintaining the water-retention capacity of the skin.

🧪 Sodium Hyaluronate / 透明质酸钠

Purpose: Humectant, hydration

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: The salt form of Hyaluronic Acid; can hold up to 1000x its weight in water.

🧪 Phytosphingosine / 植物鞘氨醇

Purpose: Skin conditioning, antimicrobial, lipid precursor

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: A lipid naturally found in skin that is a precursor to ceramides.

🧪 Cholesterol / 胆固醇

Purpose: Barrier repair, emollient

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Crucial lipid that works with ceramides and fatty acids to maintain the skin barrier.

📁 Moisturizers & Emollients / 保湿剂与柔润剂

🧪 Glycerin / 甘油

Purpose: Humectant

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: A classic, effective ingredient that draws moisture into the skin.

🧪 Cetearyl Isononanoate / 鲸蜡硬脂醇异壬酸酯

Purpose: Emollient, skin conditioning

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Provides a smooth, soft feel to the skin without being too greasy.

🧪 Isopropyl Myristate / 肉豆蔻酸异丙酯

Purpose: Emollient, texture enhancer

Concerns: High comedogenicity rating (can clog pores).

Notes: Makes the product feel spreadable and dry (not oily), but acne-prone skin should be cautious.

🧪 Cetearyl Alcohol / 鲸蜡硬脂醇

Purpose: Emollient, texture enhancer, stabilizer

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: A fatty alcohol that is non-drying and helps soften the skin.

🧪 Caprylyl Glycol / 辛甘醇

Purpose: Humectant, preservative booster

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Helps skin retain water and improves the efficacy of preservatives.

📁 Emulsifiers & Surfactants / 乳化剂与表面活性剂

🧪 C14-22 Alcohols / C14-22 醇

Purpose: Emulsion stabilizer

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Fatty alcohols used to stabilize the mixture of oil and water.

🧪 Behentrimonium Methosulfate / 甲基硫酸贝亨三铵

Purpose: Emulsifier, conditioning agent

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: A very mild surfactant derived from rapeseed oil; excellent for sensitive skin.

🧪 Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate / 月桂酰乳酰乳酸钠

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Often used to help deliver ceramides into the skin.

🧪 C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside / C12-20 烷基葡糖苷

Purpose: Emulsifier

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: A mild, plant-derived emulsifier.

📁 Texture Enhancers & Thickeners / 质地调节剂与增稠剂

🧪 Zea Mays Starch / Corn Starch / 玉米淀粉

Purpose: Absorbent, matte finish

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Helps reduce stickiness and provides a matte finish to the moisturizer.

🧪 Carbomer / 卡波姆

Purpose: Thickener, gel-forming agent

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Create the viscosity and flow of the lotion.

🧪 Silica / 硅石

Purpose: Absorbent, thickener

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Helps absorb excess oil and improve the texture of the cream.

🧪 Xanthan Gum / 黄原胶

Purpose: Thickener, stabilizer

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Natural sugar-derived thickener.

🧪 Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 / 聚丙烯酸酯交联聚合物-6

Purpose: Thickener, texture enhancer

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Synthetic polymer that provides a velvety finish.

📁 Preservatives, Stabilizers & pH Adjusters / 防腐剂、稳定剂与pH调节剂

🧪 Phenoxyethanol / 苯氧乙醇

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Safe in low concentrations, but some consumers prefer to avoid it.

Notes: Common alternative to parabens.

🧪 Benzoic Acid / 苯甲酸

Purpose: Preservative

Concerns: Can be irritating to broken skin or eyes in high concentrations.

Notes: Antifungal properties.

🧪 Triethyl Citrate / 柠檬酸三乙酯

Purpose: Solvent, stabilizer

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Helps stabilize the formulation.

🧪 Sodium Hydroxide / 氢氧化钠

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: Corrosive in pure form, but safe when neutralized in product.

Notes: Used to ensure the product pH is skin-compatible.

🧪 Citric Acid / 柠檬酸

Purpose: pH Adjuster

Concerns: None identified at this concentration.

Notes: Used to optimize the acidity of the product.

🧪 Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate / 乙二胺二琥珀酸三钠

Purpose: Chelating agent

Concerns: None identified.

Notes: Biodegradable alternative to EDTA; prevents metals in water from affecting stability.

📁 Solvent / 溶剂

🧪 Aqua / Water / Eau / 水

Purpose: Solvent

Concerns: None.

Notes: The base of the formulation.