Is CeraVe Cruelty-Free, Vegan, Sustainable? The Shocking Truth

We all love animals, and for a big amount of people choosing cruelty-free brands is crucial when it comes to choosing skincare products. CeraVe is very popular and many people love it but is CeraVe cruelty-free?

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Unfortunately, it’s not, and in this article, we’ll find out why. I will also share with you the 10 best cruelty-free skincare brands, as well as will show you how to choose a good cruelty-free brand. Plus, we’ll talk about whether CeraVe is vegan, clean, and sustainable!

Table of Content

• Why CeraVe Isn’t Cruelty-Free?
• Top 10 Cruelty-Free Skincare Brands
• 5 Things to Pay Attention to While Choosing Cruelty-Free Products
• Is CeraVe Vegan?
• Is CeraVe Sustainable?
• Is CeraVe Clean?
• Do Dermatologists Like CeraVe?
• Can We Trust CeraVe?
• FAQs

Additionally, we’ll find out if you can trust this brand and if dermatologists like it as well. If you’re interested, consider reading this article!

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Before we start, I’d love you to read my other articles, such as How Long Does Sunscreen Last? and 7 Best La Roche Posay Products To Buy.

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So, let’s first figure out why CeraVe isn’t cruelty-free, and we'll move to some cruelty-free alternatives after.

Why CeraVe Isn’t Cruelty-Free?

As I mentioned earlier, CeraVe isn’t a cruelty-free brand, but why do some people think that it is? The explanation is pretty simple:

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Although CeraVe say that they’re a cruelty-free brand, they sell their products in China, where product testing on animals is required. This is why they can’t be considered a cruelty-free brand, and it’s not the best option for those who’re looking for this type of product.

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But don’t worry, because today I’ll give you the 10 best cruelty-free alternatives to CeraVe so that you can buy products of those brands and test their quality on your own!

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Without further ado, let’s move to this section!

Top 10 Cruelty-Free Skincare Brands

1. Drunk Elephant: Known for its clean, effective formulas that are friendly to all skin types, which is a big advantage for many people. 
2. Tatcha: This Japanese-inspired brand delivers luxury skincare that's cruelty-free.
3. Biossance: They utilize biotechnology to create safe and sustainable products.
4. Youth To The People: They offer high-performance skincare, respecting both your skin and the planet.
5. Herbivore: Besides being cruelty-free, they're also vegan.

1. The Ordinary: This brand offers transparency, effectiveness, and affordability.
2. Paula's Choice: A beloved brand known for its scientifically-backed formulas.
3. First Aid Beauty: They offer solutions for sensitive skin without resorting to animal testing.
4. Murad: A doctor-founded brand delivering cruelty-free, high-performance skincare.
5. Farmacy: They combine farm-grown botanicals with cutting-edge technology.

5 Things to Pay Attention to While Choosing Cruelty-Free Products

1. Check for certifications that are cruelty-free

Leaping Bunny, PETA, and Cruelty-Free International are just a few groups that vouch for cruelty-free goods. Observe the product package for their logos. Every organization has got its own criteria, so it's important to find out what you're looking for exactly before the actual brand check

2. Check the Brand's Animal Testing Policy

Some brands might not have official certifications but still maintain a cruelty-free policy. You can usually find this information on their website. Look for clear language stating that they do not test their products or ingredients on animals at any stage of product development.

3. Beware of Misleading Language

Phrases like "not tested on animals" or "cruelty-free" sometimes not be true, unfortunately. Let's imagine that our chosen brand says that its finished product is not tested on animals. Can we trust this? Not necessarily, because the ingredients used in the product might not be cruelty-free. It's always important to watch out!

4. Consider the Parent Company

Some cruelty-free brands are owned by parent companies that test on animals. So if you're looking for a product that has even a parent brand that is cruelty-free, you should check it out twice!

5. Check if the Brand Sells in Mainland China

China requires animal testing for foreign cosmetics sold in the country. If a brand sells its products in physical stores in mainland China, they cannot be considered cruelty-free, even if they don't test on animals elsewhere.

Is CeraVe Vegan?

Some people will ask me: “What does “vegan product” mean at all?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, it’s a product that does not contain any animal-delivered ingredients or products, like collagen, elastin, etc.

By the way, I have a full guide to vegan skincare, and I’d be happy if you checked it out!

Now, let's address the question of the hour: Is CeraVe vegan?

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And you know, the answer might be a bit tough to answer, but I will definitely try to do so! While some CeraVe products are free from animal-derived ingredients, others are not. For instance, some CeraVe products contain cholesterol and other ingredients that are typically derived from animals. Therefore, the brand as a whole cannot be classified as vegan. But this doesn’t mean you can’t still use some cruelty-free products from this brand. 

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It's worth noting that the brand's status can change over time. The increasing demand for vegan skincare products forces many companies to reformulate their products to exclude animal-derived ingredients. CeraVe might do the same in the future, so I’d recommend you occasionally check out their new products, maybe they’ll be only cruelty-free and vegan.

Is CeraVe Sustainable?

Moving to sustainability, I wanna first say what a sustainable product is.

The main goal of sustainable skincare is to have as little of an environmental impact as possible. This encompasses things like ingredient procurement, production procedures, packaging, and waste management. It's a complicated problem, and many companies are working to enhance their sustainability procedures.

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What is CeraVe's position on sustainability, then?

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L'Oreal, a business that has established sustainability pledges, is the owner of CeraVe. The "Sharing Beauty With All" sustainability project from L'Oreal outlines objectives for lowering environmental impact and raising social effect by 2030. These objectives include lowering carbon emissions, using less water, and making sure that raw materials are sourced responsibly.

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It's crucial to remember that these are corporate objectives and that particular procedures may differ between brands and products. For CeraVe especially, there isn't a lot of information available on their sustainability methods in-depth. 

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Some of their items are packaged in recyclable materials, but you can't exactly say that it is recyclable in total. Additionally, they don't give any details on where their ingredients come from, so you should be careful here, in case you're looking a sustainable skincare brand, of course!

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Transparency is crucial to sustainability, and sadly, CeraVe falls a little short in this area. Consumers find it difficult to evaluate the brand's genuine sustainability without more specific information.

Is CeraVe Clean?

Let's delve into CeraVe's product formulations, and understand whether this brand is “clean” or not:

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CeraVe products are developed with dermatologists and are designed to be gentle and effective. The brand's main focus is maintaining and restoring the skin barrier with ingredients like ceramides (by the way, the name CeraVe comes from this ingredient's name) and hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the skin. CeraVe products are also free from fragrance, which people like (including me).

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However, while CeraVe’s formulations prioritize skin health, it's worth noting that some products contain ingredients that may raise a brow for clean beauty aficionados. We can find an example: some CeraVe products contain parabens, which are preservatives that some prefer to avoid due to potential health concerns, even though the FDA has deemed them safe for use in cosmetics.

In the next section, we'll discuss the opinion of dermatologists on CeraVe. Whether they like it or not. I'm sure you're very curious to know what professionals think about the brand, so keep reading the article!

Do Dermatologists Like CeraVe?

“Is CeraVe recommended by dermatologists?” This question is frequently popping up in the mind of every person who loves skincare at least a bit. The brand’s marketing is built on the recommendations from numerous dermatologists, so it’s important to figure out if it’s true.

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Let’s be honest, CeraVe is really recommended by dermatologists (so their marketers  are not lying), and there’re myriads of reasons for it.

CeraVe products are formulated with the expertise of dermatologists. The brand itself strives to create products that strengthen and restore the skin's natural barrier, which is a key reason why dermatologists love and recommend it. This is particularly crucial because a damaged skin barrier can lead to many skin problems, including dryness, irritation, and sensitivity, so the brand’s products easily solve this problem.

Did you know that the brand's use of ceramides - lipids that make up around 50% of the skin's barrier - in their formulas is another significant factor behind the endorsement? Ceramides help in retaining moisture and prevent environmental irritants from affecting the skin. Throughout our lives, the skin's ceramide levels drop, leading to a compromised skin barrier. By incorporating ceramides in their products, CeraVe helps replenish these crucial molecules.

And another reason to buy CeraVe products is that dermatologists appreciate CeraVe for its simplicity. The brand offers straightforward, no-fuss formulas that cater to various skin types and concerns without the use of potentially irritating fragrances.

But you shouldn't think that everything is that simple! Unfortunately, everyone's skin is unique. Just because a product is recommended by dermatologists does not necessarily mean it will work for everyone, and even for your precious self. As I say in every article, related to skincare, you should patch-test new skincare products and introduce them gradually into your routine!

Can We Trust CeraVe?

In the world of skincare, trust is something that we can't ignore. After all, we're applying these products on our skin, our body's largest organ. So, when it comes to CeraVe, can we trust it? Short answer: Absolutely!

CeraVe's commitment to skin health is commendable. The brand's formulations are developed with dermatologists, ensuring they cater to various skin types and concerns. This makes CeraVe a trustworthy name in the skincare industry.

CeraVe is transparent about its ingredients. Each product comes with a comprehensive list of ingredients and a brief explanation of the key ingredients and their benefits. This kind of transparency allows you to know exactly what you're applying to your skin.

Lastly, customer reviews speak volumes about a brand's trustworthiness. CeraVe products consistently receive high ratings and positive reviews from users, reinforcing its reputation as a dependable brand.

FAQs

Q: Is CeraVe Cruelty-Free?

CeraVe is not officially certified as cruelty-free due to their market presence in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law for foreign cosmetics.

Q: Is CeraVe Vegan?

Not all CeraVe products are vegan because some of them contain animal-derived ingredients like cholesterol. But the brand might become cruelty-free in the future

Q: Can I Trust CeraVe?

CeraVe is a reputable brand in the skincare industry and is trusted by many. But please, consider your personal skincare needs and values when choosing products.

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