CeraVe and Swelling: What Users Say

• Rob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 28, 2020

For Dry Skin "I used CeraVe moisturizers for 8 months to treat dryness on my face. In that time, my skin became increasingly red, inflamed, itchy, and dry—so dry, in fact, that it would crack and bleed at times. I'm over 40, and I have never had eczema, but now I had it all over my face, and soon spots were popping up all over my back, arms, and legs. CeraVe was always recommended as being 'safe,' so I trusted it, but the day I stopped using CeraVe products completely, my symptoms improved. In lieu of a patch test, I have a reason to believe I am allergic to 'tocopherol' (Vitamin E) found in every CeraVe product I used. (Not surprisingly, many foods that caused marked flare-ups also contained tocopherols) I am now using another moisturizer that does not contain tocopherol but uses oatmeal instead. My skin is slowly getting better, but it will be weeks if not months before I am fully recovered. I hope this information can help someone."

• Mev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2022

For Dry Skin "I am a 53-year-old with fair skin, and I'm starting to notice more dark circles, dry skin, and puffiness under my eyes. I did a search online and found good reviews for CeraVe Eye Repair Cream, but after using it for two nights, I noticed a HORRIBLE reaction. It made my under-eyes all puffy and red, with elephant-like wrinkles and flaking. Clearly, I was having a bad reaction and stopped use of this product immediately. Days later, I am using a hydrocortisone topical cream and taking an antihistamine I usually start taking around this time of year anyway for seasonal allergies. So far, I'm only noticing a minor improvement. I found it both heartening and disturbing to see so many people have had the same reaction I experienced. I will be reporting this product to the FDA. I can't understand how it is still on the market! Avoid it!"

• Sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2021

For Dry Skin "I have been using CeraVe for almost 3 weeks. I liked it the first few days, and then I got some dry patches on my cheeks and forehead. I kept using the moisturizing cream, thinking it would help. A few days ago, my eyes got puffy and the dry spots worse, and today my face felt like it was on fire. I was miserable and made a trip to a First Care Clinic since it is Saturday. I got a steroid shot and am feeling better. She thought it was the CeraVe moisturizer."

• Bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2020

For Dry Skin "My cheeks became puffy and bright red. Maybe it was the hyaluronic acid. Checked out online ratings, this product is very low: 1.4/10. Disappointing that CeraVe would put this product on the market. Look for something else to use on my face after shaving and shower to keep face from drying out."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2022

For Dry Skin "I saw a dermatologist twice this spring for swelling and hives that I thought might be due to sun sensitivity. I changed up my routine to avoid the sun completely and stopped using anything at all on my face. All was well until I tried adding CeraVe back in three days ago. I used the Hydrating Facial Cleanser on my face in the shower, rinsed well, and then applied the Daytime Facial Moisturizer. That was in the morning, and by bedtime, my face was ablaze with the same itchy hives and burning that I had misattributed to the sun before. I washed my face with water, applied cortisone cream, and took two Benadryl. Even still, when I awoke the following morning, my eyes were nearly swollen shut and my cheeks were thick with edema. I repeated the shower-cortisone-Benadryl, and it's getting better, but it will take several more days for all of the swelling and redness to abate. I wouldn't give this stuff to my worst enemy, so these bottles are going into the box for household hazardous waste."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2022

For Dry Skin "I saw a dermatologist twice this spring for swelling and hives that I thought might be due to sun sensitivity. I changed up my routine to avoid the sun completely and stopped using anything at all on my face. All was well until I tried adding CeraVe back in three days ago. I used the Hydrating Facial Cleanser on my face in the shower, rinsed well, and then applied the Daytime Facial Moisturizer. That was in the morning, and by bedtime, my face was ablaze with the same itchy hives and burning that I had misattributed to the sun before. I washed my face with water, applied cortisone cream, and took two Benadryl. Even still, when I awoke the following morning, my eyes were nearly swollen shut and my cheeks were thick with edema. I repeated the shower-cortisone-Benadryl, and it's getting better, but it will take several more days for all of the swelling and redness to abate. I wouldn't give this stuff to my worst enemy, so these bottles are going into the box for household hazardous waste."

• Arl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2023

For Dry Skin "I started taking CeraVe, and I developed full face itching, burning, and peeling in spots. The skin around my eyes became red and swollen as well. I don't have sensitive skin and was surprised at this reaction. I stopped using the medication and applied pure aloe vera gel daily and cortisone cream for itching. It’s been a few days now, and the redness is nearly gone, but my skin is still peeling in spots."

• lob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2020

For Dry Skin "After using CeraVe Eye Repair Cream for two nights, I woke up at 2 a.m. with extreme itching around my eyes. I woke up, and they appeared wrinkly and red, so I washed it off, took a Benadryl, and went to bed. Woke up even worse, like very red, swollen elephant skin. Used some Vanicream HD (hydrocortisone), and later in the day it's still very red and hot all around my eyes. I don't understand it because the ingredients seem fairly innocuous."

• Ian...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2022

For Dry Skin "Tried it after reading good reviews, although I don’t quite know who’s writing the reviews, and immediately felt like I had severe sunburn on my face. When I woke up the next day, my face was red and swollen. I did a comparison on my arms with another product and CeraVe, the arm with the CeraVe felt like it was sunburned and itched like crazy and is also covered in small blisters. Don’t waste your money, I’m very disappointed."

• Ski...
• September 2, 2022

For Dry Skin "I started using the CeraVe SA cleanser. After so many rave reviews online and acne-prone skin, I was really excited. After about two weeks, I woke with severely swollen and dry cracked eyelids. I looked like Quasimodo! I wasn’t 100% sure it was the face wash that gave me a reaction, so I stopped everything on my face. Sure enough, about a month later, I tried again, but this time eczema flared up all over my eyes and neck. I have never had eczema or sensitive skin before. I don’t recommend! I’m going to go back to my oil-free Neutrogena face wash. Hope this helps."

• Bon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2020

For Dry Skin "I used the hypotonic serum, and the next day my skin was itchy, red, and bumpy, and my face was swollen. I put on calamine lotion, and my face felt cool instead of warm. My skin is better today."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2021

For Dry Skin "I had an allergic reaction where my face swelled up using these products."