Celebrities Who Swear by CeraVe: Why This Skincare Brand Is a Hollywood Favorite

It almost seems unfair. With access to every fancy aesthetician, exclusive facial, and luxury brand sample, you’d think celebrities would have no use for drugstore skincare. And yet, CeraVe has quietly found its way to some of Hollywood’s most influential faces—and they’re not shy about letting the world know. The idea that a regular person can pick up the same moisturizer used by top models and A-listers, while running errands at Target, is wild. There’s no overinflated price tag, no unicorn ingredients from mythical plants, just some clever chemistry and honest hydration.

Why CeraVe Hits Celebrity Vanities

It’s not about the shiny packaging or marketing stunts. CeraVe simply works, and that lands it a permanent spot in makeup trailers and medicine cabinets from Beverly Hills to Manhattan lofts. Unlike brands loaded with fragrances or mysterious “secret” formulas, CeraVe’s ingredients are less about showing off and more about results. Dermatologists love to recommend it, especially for sensitive or troubled skin, which covers a lot of ground in celebrity circles—let’s be real, heavy makeup and long hours on set are murder for your face.

What really separates it from the pack? Ceramides. CeraVe’s big pitch is those skin-identical lipids that help strengthen your barrier and lock in moisture. Toss in hyaluronic acid for hydration and a gentle, non-comedogenic base, and you get that plump, healthy look everyone chases for the red carpet. The most popular products? The Hydrating Cleanser and Moisturizing Cream lead the charts. They’re basic, but basic in a good way—no chance for breakouts, burning, or irritation to get in the way of someone’s next shoot or appearance.

What about the science? A 2021 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that ceramide-rich formulas like CeraVe’s can improve hydration by 50% after four weeks. That’s no small feat. And you don’t need three dermatology degrees to use their products—no ten-step regimen, just simple stuff that fits into a real life (or hectic red carpet schedule).

There’s a democratizing energy to a brand like this. Stars using what the public uses flips the script. It’s as if skincare became a level playing field. No wild claims, just effectiveness you can see and feel regardless if you’re booked for a worldwide premiere or just brunch with friends.

Who’s Used CeraVe? Name-Dropping Some Famous Fans

Let’s get specific: celebs are dropping CeraVe’s name everywhere from YouTube get-ready-with-me videos to glossy magazine interviews. The most famous ambassador? TikTok sensation and model Kaia Gerber. She’s repeatedly shown off the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Moisturizing Cream as her ride-or-die staples, swearing by them for glowy, camera-ready skin.

Actress and activist Olivia Rodrigo is another vocal fan. She credits the Hydrating Cleanser as her holy grail, saying she started using it in high school after her dermatologist’s advice and never saw a reason to switch—it’s survived her breakout years and mile-long touring schedules. In a 2023 interview with Vogue, she explained how the affordability means she can slather it on after a show without worrying about cost or reactions.

SNL star and comedian Pete Davidson also jumped on the CeraVe train, and he isn’t shy about talking skincare. He told PEOPLE magazine in 2022 that CeraVe Moisturizing Cream was the only product that worked with his hypersensitive, tattooed skin without any sting or flare-ups.

Even stars with access to the fanciest brands in the world keep going back for more. Pioneering supermodel Ashley Graham posted numerous times about her “ride-or-die” CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion, using it nightly even when traveling internationally. She says it keeps her skin balanced without breaking the bank—a major plus since she wants to remain relatable to her audience.

But CeraVe isn’t just a Gen Z darling. British stylist and makeup guru Lisa Eldridge uses it to prep client’s faces before sitting them in the makeup chair. She’s pointed out that CeraVe’s formulas provide enough moisture and smoothness to create a flawless makeup base, even on dehydrated skin. Clearly, the brand’s popularity crosses age groups and skin types—there’s very little gatekeeping here.

Secret Sauce: Why Dermatologists and Celebs Trust CeraVe

It’s easy to assume that a celebrity’s favorite product is all hype, but when you dig into CeraVe, you start seeing solid science. Their formulas hinge on three essential ceramides—1, 3, and 6-II—that help keep your skin looking and feeling intact. Ceramides make up about 50% of your skin’s outer layer. If you lose them (due to harsh products or the environment), you end up with red, dry, unhappy skin. CeraVe just gives those ceramides back, along with hyaluronic acid for hydration, and that’s often enough to set even finicky skin straight.

It’s not just a fluke that so many dermatologists recommend these formulas. The brand got its start in consultation with real skin docs, crafting products deliberately free of common irritants like fragrance and parabens. That makes it a regular fixture for people prone to eczema, adult acne, or reactive skin—a club some celebrities didn’t choose to join, but had to anyway. Even products labeled as “gentle” in the luxury space sometimes cause issues because of plant extracts, dyes, or strong preservatives. With CeraVe, there’s little risk of a breakout right before a shoot, which is a nightmare for anyone living in the public eye.

Plenty of pro makeup artists keep the classic Moisturizing Cream on set for all-over hydration. The neat part: you can use it on both face and body, a timesaver when someone’s hopping from hairdressers to red carpets all day. That simplicity has helped spread the gospel of CeraVe across Hollywood. Being able to stick to one bottle for knees, elbows, face, and even shins is more revolutionary than it sounds, especially compared to multi-step, multi-cream regimens pushed by trendier brands.

If you’re wondering if there’s a catch—there isn’t. CeraVe’s prices rarely break $20, even for the largest tubs. That lets both newcomers and experienced beauty lovers try out the dermatologist-approved approach without suffering wallet regret. Bottom line: CeraVe lets both celebrities and everyday people stick with the basics, but with modern skin science baked in.

• Look for the round blue or green label in drugstores—most top-rated CeraVe products come in these colors.
• Mixing CeraVe with other actives? Safe, as long as you avoid doubling up on similar ingredients (like using two strong retinols).
• The Moisturizing Cream is so thick, many pros use it as a hand or foot mask for cracked skin between gigs.
• Try layering the Hydrating Cleanser and the Moisturizing Lotion in winter to fight off makeup flakes and dehydration lines.

Tips for Nailing Your Own CeraVe Routine

You don’t need to have a stylized morning for the paparazzi or a performance on late-night TV to enjoy what celebrities do. It all comes down to figuring out how CeraVe fits your actual skin needs—not what’s trending. First, the most hyped-up product is the Hydrating Cleanser, safe for every skin type, not just dry or sensitive. Use it first thing in the morning (or after makeup removal at night) for that gentle, non-stripping clean that keeps your skin barrier healthy.

If your skin feels tight or rough after washing, that’s a hint you’re stripping too much. CeraVe’s formula skips harsh foaming agents and instead uses skin-friendly cleansing, so there’s no sting or itch afterward. Double cleansing (oil cleanser first, followed by CeraVe) makes removing heavy makeup simple, something celebrities learned from makeup chair pros who need to keep stars’ faces clear of clogs and breakouts.

The classic Moisturizing Cream is the next step. This one’s not only for faces; you can use it anywhere your skin feels parched—just like Pete Davidson does for tattoos or Ashley Graham for her long-haul flights. Got oily skin? The PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion packs all the hydration without the greasy finish, which is a favorite hack among actors who spend hours under hot studio lights. And if you’re someone who loves a little sun, CeraVe’s AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion comes with built-in SPF 30, so you can skip a separate sunscreen unless you’re baking at the beach.

Struggling with specific skin issues? CeraVe’s SA (Salicylic Acid) range can help with bumps and breakouts, while the Healing Ointment is a cult-favorite for soothing lips, dry patches, or even crispy cuticles post-manicure. A fun fact: the Healing Ointment went viral on TikTok for fixing everything from slugging routines to wind-chapped faces (Kaia Gerber apparently keeps one in her handbag).

If you want to maximize CeraVe’s benefits, pair it with a consistent routine and not just try it after a breakout. Stars have the luxury of loyal glam teams, but you can get close with a little patience and everyday commitment. Go minimal with a cleanser and moisturizer, then add serums or actives that fit your skin concerns. Skip layering tons of products for every trend—it’s the gentle, simple system that keeps CeraVe loved by both A-listers and everyday people.

If you want the celebrities skincare glow, start with the basics. Less really is more, even when you’re getting ready for a close-up. And if a moisturizer is good enough for red carpet royalty, it’s probably earned a spot next to your toothbrush—no velvet rope required.