The product featured in this review was given to Nouveau Cheap directly by the brand. For my full disclosure, please see the bottom of this blog post.
CeraVe has some new product for 2013 and one of them is this new, heavy-duty cream for extremely dry skin. Since I happen to suffer from the occasional patch of extremely dry skin, it was quite easy for me to test this product, and today I'd like to share my thoughts with you.
CeraVe Renewing SA Cream
(retail: around $20, 12 oz)
CeraVe products can be found at most major drugstores and mass-merchandisers. This product is a bit high, price-wise, but it's currently on sale at CVS.com for $17.59 (normally $21.99). If you'd like to purchase it in-store, you can print this $1 off coupon to help bring the price down a bit.
Keep reading for my full review...
The "SA" in the title stands for salicylic acid, which is the 8th ingredient:
Salicylic acid can work quite well to exfoliate the skin and help give rid of little bumps and roughness. SA happens to work quite well on my particular skin, so I had really high hopes for this formula before I even tried it.
The formula of this cream is thick--so thick that you can hold the jar upside-down and it will not budge.
Texture and consistency: This body cream is thick, but it does spread easily across the skin. It is not a lotion--it is definitely more of a body butter (you have to use a little bit of pressure with your finger to scoop it out) but it doesn't have the traditional characteristics of body butters when you're working it into the skin. When it comes in contact with the warmth of your skin, the consistency breaks down and becomes more lotion-like, making it very easy to apply. Unlike body butters, this product does not feel greasy on the skin and it leaves no greasy or oily residue behind. Once it's absorbed, it leaves a smooth, waxy, protective barrier on the skin. It does not feel greasy or sticky--it feels more waxy than anything else. What I really like is that, sometimes waxier products dry down and end up leaving a powdery, almost sticky residue on the skin, and this one does not. It just feels smooth and waxy once it's dried down.
Moisturization and exfoliation: Last month I had some extremely dry patches of skin on my lower legs and also my heels have been extremely rough and calloused. So I used this product religiously for the past month and I'm delighted to say the results have been amazing. The dry patches on my legs totally vanished overnight, and I could still feel this product on my skin the next day (even after my shower). It truly leaves a protective barrier on the skin but, unlike pure petroleum jelly or something like that, this product actually contains ingredients that are going to help get to the root of the problem (instead of just cover it up). After a week of using this product on my dry patches, there were completely healed. I also did a test where I let my heels get really bad, and instead of using my Ped-Egg (which I have to use about once a week to exfoliate), I just used this cream instead. I didn't expect to see any type of real change because, when my heels are bad, they need physical exfoliation and nothing else will normally do. But WOW, this stuff not only made my heels soft, but it actually removed the roughness. I literally haven't needed to use my Ped-Egg since I've been using this cream on my heels.
Fragrance: This is a fragrance-free product, but it does have a very mild, generic "lotion base" scent to it.
FINAL VERDICT: CeraVe isn't joking around when they say that this product is for "extremely dry, rough, bumpy skin." If you're looking for a product that's going to deliver some SERIOUS hydration and exfoliation, don't let the higher price-point of this product deter you from giving this product a try. The jar is huge, so if you're only using it for targeted areas, it will last you a very long time. You only need a tiny bit and I can say that, for me personally, it works. In fact, it works so well for my dry areas that I think the price is completely justified (and you know I wouldn't say a thing like that unless I really meant it; I can't even remember the last time I recommended a product to you that cost this much). If you're tired of seeing less-than-stellar results from your body creams, I would definitely consider giving this one a shot. But remember: this product is for seriously dry skin--if your skin isn't too dry to begin with, save your money and use something less heavy-duty. This one could be overkill and I would reserve it for when you really, really need it.
Are you a CeraVe fan? Have you tried this new body cream yet?
I'm a fan of the regular CeraVe cream in the jar as a facial moisturizer but it's not moisturizing enough for me anymore. I usually have to layer two face creams and seal them with a layer of Vaseline on top before going to bed to make sure my skin doesn't dry out and get flaky by morning. I've tried natural oils (coconut, jojoba, sweet almond, olive, etc.) but they don't do anything for me; my skin feels dry 15-30 minutes later. This new cream though sounds like something I'd really like.
ReplyDeleteHum...i'm not sure if this would be a good product to use on the face, because it's designed for the body and might be too harsh for delicate facial skin. I would ask CeraVe on their Facebook page if it's safe for the face before you invest in a jar.
DeleteNo worries, I already asked and they said it's okay to use on the face. I have $20 worth of CVS ECB that are about to expire so I might just use them to get the cream.
DeleteI use it only face everyday. Love it
DeleteDo you think this would work with Keratosis pilaris. I have it on my upper arms and this sounds like something that might work!
ReplyDeleteFor KP, I have heard that both AHAs and BHAs can be effective, depending on your skin type. Salicylic acid is a BHA, while glycolic acid is probably the most popular AHA. If you have never used either an AHA or BHA on your KP, this might be a good place to start. And if it doesn't work after several weeks of consistent use, you might want to consider an AHA, unless of course you've already tried some and haven't seen results?
DeleteThe best thing I've found for that is Amlactin lotions and creams. It has a high lactic acid content.
DeleteI second Amlactin (or any other lactic acid lotion). I have KP, and it works after just a few uses.
DeleteOoooh, I wonder if this is available in the UK? It sounds ideal!
ReplyDeleteI have seen good results from their cleanser and regular cream, however I have dry patches that the cream won't touch. This sounds promising!
ReplyDeleteDuring running season my feet really take a beating and also the week I spend in Las Vegas a couple times a year really also beat up my feet so I really think I need to find this. I have a feeling my husband would benefit from this too! I never knew about this product !
ReplyDeleteRobin, I've had good luck with Flexitol, which seems to be be the only thing that keeps my feet from cracking open. It was about $5 at Walmart, and isn't horribly sticky/greasy (like my second choice stick-of-grease from Sally).
DeleteThank you G for your KP suggestion!! My son has it on his upper arms and I tried a few creams like AmLactin and no big deal. I am always on the search for something. :)
ReplyDeleteDo you think this would work as a good hand cream? I'm a nurse and my hands have become wrecked in the last few years d/t all the handwashing ... literally I have old lady hands now and I am so sad (and only 32!) I've tried using hand creams but most of them are either not strong enough or too oily ...
ReplyDeleteI have always had severe dry skin and just recently got diagnosed with Keratosis Pilaris. My Dermatologist suggested CeraVe Renewing SA Cream. For months I was dealing with itchiness that was almost unbearable. I have only used CeraVe for a few days and I feel MUCH better. The bumps from my Keratosis Pilaris are going away.
ReplyDeleteI use it on my face daily - thin layer only, and around the eyes as well. Not only does my skin feel zoo much better, I think I look younger!! Honestly, I have never seen a product work like this. I also have Rosacia - and my red flare ups are less. That could just be a coincidence, though. I have used it consistently for about a month now.
ReplyDelete