Beauty Comparison
CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel

Photo and link: Amazon

CeraVe

Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel

moisturizer · 48 g · Skincare

CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel is free of fragrance, essential oils, labelled fragrance allergens, drying alcohol, sulfates, parabens and MI / MCI, going by its full 31-ingredient list, with ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. List checked November 5, 2026.

The catch: it contains silicones (Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer).

  • Fragrance-free
  • No essential oils
  • No labelled fragrance allergens
  • No drying alcohol
  • Sulfate-free
  • Contains silicones
  • Paraben-free
  • No MI/MCI

Listed in Amazon's stores in United Kingdom · Germany · France · Italy · Spain · Netherlands · Poland · Sweden; links take you to your own store.

Key ingredients in Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel

  • Ceramides

    Skin-identical lipids that help hold the skin barrier together.

  • Niacinamide

    Vitamin B3; helps with oil, redness, uneven tone and the barrier.

  • Hyaluronic acid

    A humectant that pulls water into the top layer of skin.

  • Glycerin

    A classic humectant that keeps skin hydrated.

  • Vitamin E

    An antioxidant that protects the formula and the skin.

Full ingredient list, decoded

31 ingredients, in label order (highest amount first; below about 1% the order is free).

  1. 1Aqua / WaterAqua is the INCI name for water, the main base of many creams, lotions and cleansers…
  2. 2GlycerinGlycerin is a clear, thick, odorless liquid that pulls water into the skin and helps…
  3. 3NiacinamideNiacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 used in skincare and haircare to help with oil,…
  4. 4PropanediolPropanediol is a clear liquid that draws water toward the skin. Its jobs are as a…
  5. 5DimethiconeDimethicone is a silicone, a light, water-resistant oil that forms a smooth, breathable…Silicones
  6. 6Isononyl IsononanoateA light, branched-chain ester used as an emollient. It softens skin and helps lotions…
  7. 7Ceramide NpCeramide NP is a skin-identical lipid, a fat naturally found in the outer skin layer.…
  8. 8Ceramide ApCeramide AP is a skin-identical lipid, a type of ceramide, whose main job is to help…
  9. 9Ceramide EopCeramide EOP is a skin-identical lipid, a fat that is naturally part of the outer layer…
  10. 10CarbomerA synthetic polymer made from acrylic acid that thickens water-based products and keeps…
  11. 11Dimethicone CrosspolymerDimethicone Crosspolymer is a flexible, network-like silicone that gives a soft, smooth…Silicones
  12. 12Cetearyl AlcoholA waxy fatty alcohol blend that thickens formulas and helps oil and water mix into…
  13. 13Behentrimonium MethosulfateBehentrimonium methosulfate is a conditioning ingredient with a long fatty chain that…
  14. 14Triethyl CitrateTriethyl Citrate is the ethyl ester of citric acid, a clear, oily liquid. It is mainly…
  15. 15Safflower Glucoside
  16. 16SilicaSilica is a fine, white powder made of silicon and oxygen that mainly helps control…
  17. 17Sodium HydroxideSodium hydroxide is a strong alkali, also called caustic soda. In small amounts it…
  18. 18Sodium HyaluronateHyaluronic acid is a sugar-based molecule, naturally found in skin, that holds a lot of…
  19. 19Sodium Lauroyl LactylateA mild emulsifier and surfactant made from lauric acid and lactic acid. It helps oil…
  20. 20Sodium CitrateSodium Citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid, a mild, fruit-derived acid. It mainly…
  21. 21CholesterolCholesterol is a waxy, fat-like molecule that skin makes naturally, and in skincare it…
  22. 22PhenoxyethanolA synthetic preservative that helps stop bacteria, yeast and mold from growing in…
  23. 23TocopherolTocopherol is vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant. Its main job is to slow the…
  24. 24ChlorphenesinChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative that mainly keeps mold and yeast from growing…
  25. 25Copper PCA
  26. 26Caprylyl GlycolCaprylyl Glycol is a mild, multi-tasking ingredient that softens skin and helps keep…
  27. 27Trisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is a chelating agent, a salt that grabs onto…
  28. 28Biosaccharide Gum-1Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a fermentation-made polymer, or long chain of sugar units, that…
  29. 29Xanthan GumXanthan Gum is a thickener and stabilizer made by fermenting sugar with a bacterium. It…
  30. 30PhytosphingosinePhytosphingosine is a skin-identical building block for ceramides, the lipids that help…
  31. 31Benzoic AcidA small, naturally occurring acid that helps keep formulas fresh by slowing the growth…

Source: CeraVe product page, www.cerave.co.uk/skincare/moisturisers/hydrating-hyaluronic-acid-water, retrieved November 5, 2026.

Every flag we check

CheckResultIngredients found
FragranceNone listed—
Essential oilsNone listed—
Labelled fragrance allergensNone listed—
Drying alcoholNone listed—
SulfatesNone listed—
SiliconesContainsDimethicone (#5), Dimethicone Crosspolymer (#11)
ParabensNone listed—
MI / MCINone listed—
Formaldehyde releasersNone listed—
Mineral oil & petrolatumNone listed—
LanolinNone listed—
Chemical UV filtersNone listed—

Frequently asked questions

Is CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel fragrance-free?

Yes. CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel lists no parfum or fragrance and no essential oils. Checked against its full ingredient list on November 5, 2026.

Does CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel contain silicones, sulfates or parabens?

Silicones: yes (Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer). Sulfates: none listed. Parabens: none listed.

Which ingredient rules does CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel pass?

Its full list passes our ingredient rules for sensitive skin, eczema-prone skin, contact dermatitis and perfume allergy. Key ingredients: Ceramides, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid and Glycerin.

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