CeraVe 590101 Healing Ointment with Petrolatum Ceramides for Protecting and Soothing Cracked, 12 oz

Product Information

The film prevents evaporation of the skin’s natural moisture and increases skin hydration by causing buildup of water in the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin). This can also help if the skin is injured since petrolatum can protect the skin and replicate the occlusive properties of the stratum corneum. Inactive Ingredient: MINERAL OIL, PARAFFIN, OZOKERITE, DIMETHICONE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, WATER, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, PROLINE, CHOLESTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, TOCOPHEROL, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PANTHENOL, PANTOLACTONE, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN The famous or maybe rather infamous mineral oil. The clear oily liquid that is the "cheap by-product" of refining crude oil and the one that gets a lot of heat for its poor provenance. It is a very controversial ingredient with pros and cons and plenty of mythsaround it. So let us see them: In addition to petrolatum, the CeraVe Healing Ointment formula includes two additional occlusive emollients: mineral oil and paraffin. Now the question is only this: If we put ceramides all over our face do theywork as well as ceramides already naturally in our skin? Well, the answer is probably a no, but they do work to some extent. The BeautyBrains blog made a fantastic article about ceramides and they have listed a couple of examples about studies showing that ceramides - especially when used in certain ratios with cholesterol and fatty acids - do hydrate the skin and can help to repair the skin barrier.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Most moisturizers need water to work well. Apply the product after bathing/showering while the skin is still damp. For very dry skin, your doctor may instruct you to soak the area before using the product. Long, hot, or frequent bathing/washing can worsen dry skin.The pros of mineral oilcan be interpreted as cons if we look at them from another perspective. Not penetrating the skin but mostly just sitting on top of it and not containing biologically active components, like nice fatty acids and vitamins meanthat mineral oil does not "nourish" the skin in the way plant oils do. Mineral oil doesnot give the skin any extra goodness, it is simply a non-irritating moisturizer working mainly by occlusivity. While it is true that industrial grade mineral oil contains carcinogenic components (so-calledpolycyclic compounds), these are completely removed from cosmetic and food grade mineral oil and there is no scientific data showing that the pure, cosmetic grade version is carcinogenic. Without ceramides, the skin’s barrier is weakened, which can lead to dryness, itchiness, and even signs of aging. Topical application of ceramides can help to replenish ceramide levels, thus restoring the skin’s natural barrier. CeraVe is a dermatologist-developed cult skincare brand which hails from the US. The CeraVe story began in 2005 after experts noticed that many skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dry skin all had one thing in common: a compromised skin barrier.

The active ingredient in CeraVe Healing Ointment is 46.5% petrolatum. You may recognize this ingredient because it is the ingredient used in Vaseline (petroleum jelly). Of course, the CeraVe Healing Ointment formula includes ceramides (as do all CeraVe skin care products). Specifically, this formula contains ceramide NP, ceramide AP, and ceramide EOP. But what exactly are ceramides and how can they benefit your skin? Let’s take a closer look at how topical application of ceramides may benefit your skin.

Product Features & Benefits

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. Ceramides are a family of waxy lipid molecules that are naturally produced by the skin and are vital in supporting the skin’s barrier (the stratum corneum). A properly functioning stratum corneum is essential for healthy skin as it maintains epidermal hydration and serves as a barrier that responds to environmental stressors, infections, irritants, and allergens.