CeraVe Developed with Dermatologists Anti Itch / CREAM
Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores
At a glance
Summary
This cream contains beneficial ingredients like shea butter and ceramides, which are excellent for moisturizing and strengthening the skin barrier. However, the presence of petrolatum raises concerns due to potential impurities and environmental impact. Additionally, phenoxyethanol and denatured alcohol are included, which can cause irritation and dryness, affecting the overall safety profile of the product.
Key ingredients 33
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter / Shea ButterVery Good
Shea Butter is a natural fat extracted from the nuts of the shea tree. It is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, providing excellent moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is highly beneficial for dry and sensitive skin.
Risks
May cause allergic reactions in individuals with nut allergies.
Benefits
Deeply moisturizes and soothes the skin, improving elasticity.
Ceramide APVery Good
Ceramide AP is a type of ceramide that helps to strengthen the skin barrier and retain moisture. It is beneficial for maintaining healthy skin. It is considered safe and effective in skincare formulations.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Strengthens skin barrier and enhances moisture retention.
Ceramide EOPVery Good
Ceramide EOP is a lipid molecule that plays a crucial role in maintaining the skin's barrier function. It helps to retain moisture and protect the skin from environmental stressors. It is considered safe and beneficial for all skin types.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Enhances skin barrier function and improves hydration.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidVery Good
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a smaller molecule form of hyaluronic acid that penetrates the skin more easily. It provides excellent hydration and plumping effects. It is considered safe and highly beneficial for all skin types.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Deeply hydrates and plumps the skin, improving elasticity.
GlycerinGood
Glycerin is a humectant that attracts moisture to the skin, helping to keep it hydrated. It is widely used in skincare for its moisturizing properties. It is considered safe and beneficial for most skin types.
Risks
Rarely causes irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Helps maintain skin hydration and improves skin barrier function.
Ceramide NPGood
Ceramide NP is a lipid molecule that helps to restore the skin barrier and retain moisture. It is beneficial for dry and sensitive skin types. It is considered safe and effective in improving skin hydration.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Restores skin barrier function and improves hydration.
Pramoxine HydrochlorideNeutral
Pramoxine Hydrochloride is an anesthetic used to relieve itching and minor skin irritations. It is generally considered safe for topical use. However, it does not provide any additional skin benefits beyond its anesthetic properties.
Risks
May cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Effective in providing temporary relief from itching.
WaterNeutral
Water is a common solvent used in cosmetic formulations. It helps dissolve other ingredients and provides a base for the cream. It does not have any direct benefits or risks.
Benefits
Acts as a solvent and hydrates the skin.
Cetyl AlcoholNeutral
Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol used as an emollient and thickener in creams. It helps to stabilize formulations and improve texture. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Improves texture and stability of the product.
Cetearyl AlcoholNeutral
Cetearyl Alcohol is a mixture of fatty alcohols used as an emollient and emulsifier. It helps to soften the skin and stabilize formulations. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Improves product texture and provides emollient benefits.
PEG-100 StearateNeutral
PEG-100 Stearate is an emulsifier that helps blend water and oil components in formulations. It is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics. However, it may contain trace amounts of ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
Risks
Potential contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
Benefits
Stabilizes emulsions and improves product consistency.
Glyceryl StearateNeutral
Glyceryl Stearate is an emulsifier and emollient that helps to soften the skin and stabilize formulations. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating. It is widely used in skincare products for its beneficial properties.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Softens the skin and improves product stability.
Isopropyl MyristateNeutral
Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient that helps to improve the texture and absorption of creams. It is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics. However, it can be comedogenic for some individuals.
Risks
May clog pores and cause breakouts in acne-prone skin.
Benefits
Enhances product absorption and provides a smooth texture.
Stearic AcidNeutral
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid used as an emulsifier and thickener in skincare products. It helps to stabilize formulations and improve texture. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Stabilizes formulations and provides a creamy texture.
Palmitic AcidNeutral
Palmitic Acid is a fatty acid used as an emollient and thickener in skincare products. It helps to stabilize formulations and improve texture. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Stabilizes formulations and provides a creamy texture.
Potassium PhosphateNeutral
Potassium Phosphate is used as a buffering agent to maintain pH balance in formulations. It is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics. It does not have any direct benefits or risks.
Benefits
Helps maintain pH balance in formulations.
CarbomerNeutral
Carbomer is a thickening agent used to stabilize and thicken formulations. It is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics. It does not have any direct benefits or risks.
Benefits
Thickens and stabilizes formulations.
Sodium HydroxideNeutral
Sodium Hydroxide is used as a pH adjuster in cosmetic formulations. It is generally considered safe in low concentrations. It does not have any direct benefits or risks.
Risks
Can cause irritation if used in high concentrations.
Benefits
Helps maintain the desired pH level in formulations.
Myristic AcidNeutral
Myristic Acid is a fatty acid used as an emulsifier and thickener in skincare products. It helps to stabilize formulations and improve texture. It is generally considered safe and non-irritating.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Stabilizes formulations and provides a creamy texture.
Sodium Lauroyl LactylateNeutral
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is a mild surfactant and emulsifier used in skincare products. It is derived from lauric acid and lactic acid and is considered safe for use. It helps to improve the texture and stability of formulations.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Improves product texture and enhances skin feel.
CholesterolNeutral
Cholesterol is a lipid that helps to maintain the skin's barrier function and retain moisture. It is beneficial for dry and sensitive skin types. It is considered safe and effective in skincare formulations.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Enhances skin barrier function and improves hydration.
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit ExtractNeutral
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract is a botanical extract with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used in skincare products for its soothing benefits. It is generally considered safe for use.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Provides antioxidant protection and soothes the skin.
Dipotassium PhosphateNeutral
Dipotassium Phosphate is used as a buffering agent to maintain pH balance in formulations. It is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics. It does not have any direct benefits or risks.
Benefits
Helps maintain pH balance in formulations.
Citric AcidNeutral
Citric Acid is used as a pH adjuster and exfoliant in cosmetic formulations. It helps to maintain the desired pH level and can provide mild exfoliation. It is generally considered safe for use.
Risks
Can cause irritation in sensitive skin if used in high concentrations.
Benefits
Helps maintain pH balance and provides mild exfoliation.
Xanthan GumNeutral
Xanthan Gum is a thickening agent used to stabilize and thicken formulations. It is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics. It does not have any direct benefits or risks.
Benefits
Thickens and stabilizes formulations.
PhytosphingosineNeutral
Phytosphingosine is a lipid that helps to maintain the skin's barrier function and has antimicrobial properties. It is beneficial for maintaining healthy skin. It is generally considered safe for use.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Enhances skin barrier function and provides antimicrobial benefits.
EthylhexylglycerinNeutral
Ethylhexylglycerin is a preservative and skin conditioning agent used in cosmetic formulations. It is generally considered safe for use and enhances the efficacy of other preservatives. It does not have any direct benefits or risks.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Enhances preservative efficacy and conditions the skin.
DimethiconeBad
Occlusive silicone film-former — flagged under clean-beauty doctrine.
Risks
May cause buildup and interfere with skin's natural barrier function.
Benefits
Provides a smooth application and protects the skin from moisture loss.
Behentrimonium MethosulfateBad
Processed additive flagged under Scout's ingredient doctrine.
Risks
Rarely causes skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Benefits
Conditions and softens the skin and hair.
PhenoxyethanolBad
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics. It is effective but can cause irritation and allergic reactions in some individuals. It is considered a moderate risk ingredient.
Risks
Potential to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Benefits
Prevents microbial growth and extends product shelf life.
Disodium EDTABad
Processed additive flagged under Scout's ingredient doctrine.
Risks
May cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
Benefits
Improves product stability and enhances efficacy.
PetrolatumVery Bad
Petrolatum is a petroleum-derived occlusive agent used to lock in moisture. It is effective in preventing moisture loss but can be comedogenic and may contain impurities. Its use is controversial due to environmental concerns.
Risks
Potential to clog pores and may contain impurities if not properly refined.
Benefits
Highly effective at preventing moisture loss and protecting the skin barrier.
Alcohol Denat.Very Bad
Alcohol Denat. is used as a solvent and astringent in cosmetic formulations. It can be drying and irritating to the skin, especially in high concentrations. It is considered a moderate risk ingredient.
Risks
Can cause skin dryness and irritation.
Benefits
Acts as a solvent and helps other ingredients penetrate the skin.
Get the full breakdown in the Scout appTake Scout shopping
Scan any product to see lab results, healthy alternatives, and your personalized analysis.
Download on theApp Store GET IT ONGoogle PlayAmazon pricing & content
Amazon price as of . Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.