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TikTok can be a blessing and a curse. The video-sharing app has introduced me to so many cool restaurants, cute jeans, worthwhile makeup and skincare products, and even bougie dentist offices. The problem is that by the time I see these product recommendations, hundreds of thousands of other people have already beaten me to it, swiftly causing those items to sell out.
This was the case with CeraVe — the low-budget, dermatologist-recommended skincare brand you can find at your local drugstore and, if you’re like me, have been using their products to wash your face since grade school. Well back in the summer, TikTok discovered the magical skin-healing powers of the brand’s moisturizers, cleansers and more and decided to turn the entire internet on to it. Videos from satisfied customers, actual dermatologists and the biggest skincare guru on the app, @skincarebyhyram, recommending CeraVe products went viral, prompting the 15-year-old brand to sell out almost everywhere. Much to the disdain of CeraVe stans like myself who had issues finding their go-to skincare products.
“I’ve gone to 5 different Shoppers and have checked many sites online and it says the Cerave SA cleanser is sold out. Has anyone been able to find it?” wrote one desperate Reddit user back in June. And the struggle only continues. Just last month, CeraVe started trending on Twitter, causing my heart to plummet, after rapper Cardi B asked for skincare recommendations, noting that her skin was breaking out and extra dry. Users recommended using the brand.
Of course, the virality has been a boon for the company, which has now partnered with influencers to promote its products. According to WWD, CeraVe’s earned media value is up 128 percent year over year and had over 2,300 influencers talking about CeraVe products. WWD also reported that the brand “notched up 82 percent like-for-like sales gains in the first nine months” of 2020. Marc Toulemonde, president of L’Oreal’s North America Active Cosmetics division, told CNN the social media influence “absolutely boosted sales.”
As much as I would like to for my own selfish reasons, I won’t gate-keep the beloved, skin-changing brand from you. We’ve already discussed many a time why you should adopt some kind of skincare routine, especially in the frigid, skin-cracking winter. And CeraVe’s products not only work but are affordable, making them especially good for dipping your toes into the vast, goopy world of skincare. While you may not be able to pick them up at your local drugstore, right now, many of CeraVe’s products are thankfully in stock on Amazon, Target, Walmart and beauty stores like Ulta.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Normal to Dry Skin
The only lotion you need is this baby right here. If you don’t already use this religiously, CeraVe’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion contains a lightweight formula that helps retain skin’s natural moisture, restore the protective skin barrier and give your skin a sweet 24-hour hydration.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
If you have oilier skin, CeraVe’s Foaming Facial Cleanser washes away dirt and oil while keeping the skin barrier intact and redness and irritation at bay.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
If you have normal or dry skin, it’s important not to use the cleanser above, since it’ll just dry your skin out even more. Instead use the brand’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser which removes dirt and oil without stripping skin of its natural moisture.
CeraVe Renewing SA Face Cleanser for Normal Skin
For those more prone to acne, CeraVe’s Renewing SA Face Cleanser is a godsend. The cleanser manages to exfoliate and detoxify all that gross stuff while keeping skin soft and smooth. And unlike other cleaners (looking at you Neutrogena), CeraVe doesn’t use any harsh beads or grains that’ll only irritate skin.
CeraVe Acne Resurfacing Retinol Face Serum
If you’ve read our previous skincare guides, you’ll know a retinol serum is the thing that’s gonna help you stay looking forever young. This lightweight, fast-absorbing serum reduces the appearnce of pores and post-acne marks, while boasting anti-againg properties that’ll keep skin looking brighter and smoother.
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