CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Lower PFAS concern; conventional moisturizer without known water-repellent coating or grease-resistant additives.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a water-based emulsion with ceramides and humectants, materials not typically requiring PFAS treatment. The brand doesn't disclose PFAS practices, but the product category rarely incorporates intentional PFAS chemicals. No third-party PFAS testing or certification data exists publicly.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water, glycerin, ceramides, humectants (cream emulsion)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is made of, ingredients and materials
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is an oil-in-water emulsion built on purified water, glycerin (a humectant), and three essential ceramides (1, 3, and 6-II) that mimic the skin barrier. The formula lacks occlusives like petrolatum or mineral oil in favor of lighter emollients and hyaluronic acid. These are well-established, cosmetic-grade ingredients with minimal inherent toxicity at typical use levels.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
1,4-dioxane (synthetic contaminant in emulsifiers)
Cosmetic emulsifiers like polysorbate 80 and cetyl alcohol may carry trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. No specific test results for this product are publicly available, but CeraVe's parent company (L'Oreal) does not systematically report 1,4-dioxane content; typical moisturizers contain levels well below EPA concern thresholds.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
The product contains phenoxyethanol and methylisothiazolinone (MIT), both approved preservatives in cosmetics at low levels. Formaldehyde release from MIT has been documented in some products under stress; CeraVe has not disclosed accelerated stability data, but preservative levels in this formula are within industry norms and regulatory limits.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is marketed as fragrance-free and unscented. The ingredient list does not include fragrance, essential oils, or flavor compounds, making allergic contact dermatitis from fragrance highly unlikely in this specific product.
Heavy metals
This moisturizer contains no added dyes, colorants, or pigments; it appears white to off-white due to the emulsion structure alone. Heavy metal contamination in cosmetic pigments is not a known concern for uncolored formulations.
Source, FDA ↗Talc contamination
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream does not list talc or talc-derived absorbents in its ingredient deck. The product is marketed as talc-free by the brand and is not a powdered or aerosol formulation.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
CeraVe (owned by L'Oreal) has not faced major FDA actions or recalls tied to this moisturizer formulation. The brand does not publicly disclose full PFAS testing or commit to PFAS phase-out, but the product's water-based, simple composition makes intentional PFAS addition unlikely. Third-party testing by groups like Environmental Working Group has not flagged this specific product for heavy contamination concerns.
How it compares in its category
This cream occupies the mainstream dermatologist-recommended middle ground, more transparent ingredient listing than luxury brands, lower cost than clinical-grade options, and formulated to avoid common irritants like fragrance and dyes. Most competing ceramide moisturizers (Cetaphil, Eucerin, Vanicream) are chemically similar with comparable safety profiles; CeraVe's ceramic emphasis is marketing strength rather than a safety differentiator.
If you buy it
Apply to damp skin to maximize humectant benefit; store in a cool, dry place and cap tightly to prevent evaporation and microbial growth in the jar. Discard if you notice visible mold, separation, or off odors (typically 12-24 months of home use). Discontinue if irritation or allergic reaction develops; patch test on forearm first if you have very sensitive skin.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- CeraVe has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More moisturizer grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.