Often, skincare products will note whether it should be used during the day or night. Sometimes, these directions should be followed at all costs if the product contains an ingredient that is best suited for nighttime use and is not to be exposed to the sun. The majority of the time, many nighttime specific skincare products can be used at any time during the day. In order to decide whether a nighttime skincare product is suitable for use during the day, the ingredient information must be analyzed prior to use. It is important to understand skincare ingredients and which ones should be avoided in the morning.
Table of Contents
Ingredient Analysis of CeraVe PM
The ingredient breakdown of CeraVe PM are as follows:
AQUA/WATER/EAU
- Hydrator
GLYCERIN
- Soothes dry skin
- Well-tolerated emollient
- Softens skin cells
CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE
- Fatty acid of coconut oil and glycerin
- Contributes to lipid barrier
NIACINAMIDE
- Type of B vitamin that aids in skin barrier repair
- Anti-aging and anti-inflammatory
CETEARYL ALCOHOL
- Emollient
- Softens skin cells
POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE
- Surfactant and emulsifier
- Keeps formulation properly mixed
CERAMIDE NP
- Contributes to skin barrier
- Improves dry skin
CERAMIDE AP
- Repairs damaged skin barrier
- Makes up about 9% of ceramide content in skin
CERAMIDE EOP
- Increases skin hydration
- Repairs damaged skin barrier
CARBOMER
- Thickening agent
- Keeps formulation mixed
DIMETHICONE
- Silicone
- Contributes to slippery texture of product
- Contribute to skin barrier protection
CETEARETH-20
- Possible to have impurities if not purified adequately
- Enhances penetration of other ingredients
BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE
- Conditioning agent
SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE
- Naturally-derived thickening agent
SODIUM HYALURONATE
- Humectant
- Retains water in skin
- Repairs the skin barrier
- Anti-aging and anti-inflammatory
CHOLESTEROL
-
- Part of the lipid layer of skin
- Contributes to skin barrier function and repair
PHENOXYETHANOL
-
- Relatively new preservative found in skincare
- May cause contact dermatitis in some individuals
DISODIUM EDTA
- Synthetic ingredient
- Aids in enhancing penetration of other ingredients
DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE
- Maintains product pH
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
- Skin conditioning
- Antimicrobial
PHYTOSPHINGOSINE
- Supports skin barrier
- Contribute to protective lipid layer
XANTHAN GUM
- Thickening agent
POLYGLYCERYL-3 DIISOSTEARATE
- Emulsifier
- Softening agent
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
- Preservative
Overall Ingredient Analysis: Can You Use CeraVe PM in the Morning?
This product has a wide variety of skin-loving ingredients that will support the skin barrier.
Notably, its ceramide content contributes to hydration, a reduction in transepidermal water loss, and promotes production of collagen.
It is important to note that ceramides can effectively penetrate the epidermis if it is correctly formulated to do so. You can take a look at this article that talks about the perfect ratio that ceramides need to be in order to affect the skin positively.
Another outstanding ingredient includes niacinamide. This is a B vitamin that has been extensively shown to increase skin hydration, decrease redness, prevent water loss, and improve the skin’s barrier function. This will soothe dry skin.
Lastly, another great ingredient included in this formulation involves phytosphingosine. This is an integral part of your skin’s lipid layer and functions to support the skin barrier.
Other ingredients include ones that are generally well-tolerated among most people. A humectant like hyaluronic acid and an emollient like glycerin can go a long way in repairing the skin’s barrier and supporting the healthy function of skin.
There are no ingredients in this formulation that suggests you need to use it at night. In fact, these ingredients can be beneficial to be used in the morning as they help to soften skin and increase hydration even when exposed to the drying UV rays of the sun.
What Does CeraVe PM Help With?
Since CeraVe PM is loaded with skin barrier repairing ingredients and a multitude of nourishing ingredients to fight dryness, it is an exceptional product to target a variety of different skin conditions.
Most notably, CeraVe PM can help fight dry and flaky skin. Glycerin alone is a well-tolerated emollient that has been shown to improve hydration, soften skin cells, and decrease skin dryness.
This can help the skin to look moisturized, more plump, and much brighter.
In addition, this moisturizer can help with residual redness in the skin. Niacinamide is an amazing ingredient that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
It repairs the skin barrier and increases hydration and penetrates the epidermis effectively.
Since this moisturizer is relatively light, it feels nice on the skin and smooths the top layer perfectly. It can be used as a cushion for applying harsher treatments, such as acne treatments.
This product can also help with dehydrated skin and a damaged skin barrier, which can be characterized by dry, itchy, red and tight skin. It has gentle ingredients that won’t exacerbate these skin conditions.
Is CeraVe AM or PM Better?
The main difference between CeraVe AM and CeraVe PM is the addition of sunscreen in the AM formulation.
Sunscreen is an incredibly important factor in the maintenance and health of your skin. Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It prevents the sun’s rays from darkening pigmentation, increasing transepidermal water loss, and making the skin dry.
Using a broad spectrum sunscreen can be beneficial in reducing the appearance of post inflammatory erythema and general facial redness.
The AM moisturizer also contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help repair the skin barrier and support the structure of the skin.
These are both incredible lotions that are well-formulated to soothe skin, especially after cleansing. If you do not have a separate sunscreen to use after your moisturizer, then the CeraVe AM lotion may be perfect for you.
If you prefer to use a particular sunscreen after applying your moisturizer, then you can rest assured that the CeraVe PM moisturizer can be used in the morning underneath your sunscreen of choice.
How To Use CeraVe PM
CeraVe PM can be used morning or night, after you cleanse your face and after an optional serum. It can be used on damp skin to retain water and increase hydration. If using in the morning, remember to follow this moisturizer with a broad spectrum sunscreen to ensure your skin is protected from the sun’s damaging UV rays.
Since this moisturizer has barrier repairing ingredients, you can use this alongside acne treatments morning or night. This will help you combat excess dryness and irritation that may be caused by the treatment.
References
Niacinamide – mechanisms of action and its topical use in dermatology – PubMed (nih.gov)