Intensive Moisturizing Lotion — Reddit Reviews
by CeraVe
Updated October 14, 2026
Hydroxyethyl urea and ceramides rescue retinoid-dry skin; rich, slow-absorbing texture.
What the community says
A rich barrier lotion pairing hydroxyethyl urea, shea butter, ceramides, and sodium hyaluronate for genuinely dry, retinoid-stressed skin. It takes time to absorb, and the same richness can feel heavy or trigger trouble for rash-prone faces.
What this means for you
What people love
- Hydroxyethyl urea targets severe dryness
- Ceramides and shea butter support barrier recovery
- Tretinoin users call it a skin-saving moisturizer
Watch out for
- Slow absorption, despite leaving skin very soft
- Facial rash complaints make flares a gamble
- Sodium hyaluronate leaves some users feeling drier
Product details
Concerns
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads — 22 mentions across 17 threads
CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion on Reddit, in one place — 17 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/tretinoin and 2 more, summarized.
“They also have both the original lotion and a new intensive one also with 5% Hydro-Urea”
Mentioned
“The original one is still around as just CeraVe Moisturizing Cream”
Mentioned
“new intensive one also with 5% Hydro-Urea”
Mentioned
“I started using the cerave gentle cleanser and the intensive moisturizing cream”
Positive
“I realized my moisture barrier was absolutely damaged”
Positive
“the redness is starting to subside a little bit!”
Positive
“Ive been using 'CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion with 5% Hydro-Urea & Shea Butter' and its the best moisturizer ive ever used.”
Positive
“I dont even use toner or serums or anything else anymore, just tazarotene and moisturizer.”
Positive
“It also doesnt have HA”
Positive
“PM: benzoyl peroxide wash, pea-sized amount of tret, and I’ve started to use the Cerave intensive moisturizing cream to attempt to help with the dryness.”
Positive
“I started off every other day with the tretinoin the first week and tried to move up to every day but the dryness has been crazy.”
Positive
“Gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen is all you need until it’s calm.”
Positive
“my MUA said to use a thicker lotion at night because my skin is actually dry so I started using CeraVe intensive moisturizing lotion on my face & that’s helped!”
Positive
“started using CeraVe intensive moisturizing lotion on my face & that’s helped!”
Positive
“I have similar skin (oily/dry)”
Positive
“CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion”
Positive
“Morning Same face wash and lotion, no Retinol”
Positive
“Products: Night ... CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion”
Positive
