SPF Scout · Product record
CeraVe CeraVe Developed with Dermotologists Ultra Light Moisturizing Broad Spectrum SPF 30
SPF 30 as labeled
U.S. formulation · record last retrieved 27 July 2026
What is listed
The ingredient declaration stored for this formulation, reproduced exactly as it was recorded from the source below.
23 entries · the stored declaration is recorded as complete.
What each ingredient generally does
Each entry that matched a canonical ingredient, with the function recorded for it. These notes describe the role an ingredient plays in a formulation. They do not assess an ingredient.
Avobenzone
Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also acts as a light stabilizer, helping the formula hold up under sun exposure. On labels it also appears as Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane.
Homosalate
Fragrance ingredient (scent)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also adds scent to the product.
Octisalate
Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light, and doubles as a light stabilizer to keep the formula steady in sun. It also appears on labels as Ethylhexyl Salicylate.
Octocrylene
Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also serves as a light stabilizer, helping keep other filters and the formula intact under sunlight.
Water
Antiplaque (CosIng functional class)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)The base liquid that most of the other ingredients dissolve or spread into. It carries the formula and helps condition the skin surface.
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)This is a lightweight oily ingredient that softens and smooths the skin. It also helps keep the product fresh by limiting microbe growth.
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)An emulsifier that helps the oil and water parts of the product stay mixed together. This keeps the formula from separating.
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Film forming (leaves a thin coating)A film-forming polymer that leaves a thin, even layer on the skin as the product sets.
Glycerin
Denaturant (makes alcohol undrinkable)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Humectant (holds moisture)Oral care (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)Glycerin draws in and holds moisture while conditioning and protecting skin. It also dissolves other ingredients, adjusts thickness, and can add scent. On labels it may appear as glycerol.
Pentylene Glycol
Humectant (holds moisture)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)A skin-conditioning ingredient that also works as a solvent. It helps dissolve other ingredients and keeps skin feeling conditioned.
A conditioning ingredient for skin and hair. It works to improve the feel and condition of skin and hair.
listed as “ceramide NP (ceramide 3)”
A skin- and hair-conditioning ingredient. It softens and smooths the feel of skin and hair. You may see it on older labels under its former name, Ceramide 6 II.
listed as “ceramide AP (ceramide 6-II)”
A ceramide, a skin-type lipid, used to condition skin and hair. It helps skin and hair feel smoother and better conditioned. It was formerly listed as Ceramide 1.
listed as “ceramide EOP (ceramide 1)”
Phytosphingosine
Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)A skin- and hair-conditioning ingredient. It helps keep skin and hair feeling soft and smooth.
Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Crosspolymer
Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)A polymer that stabilises emulsions. It keeps the oil and water parts from separating so the product stays evenly blended.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is an emulsifier, so it helps the oil and water parts of a product mix and stay blended. That keeps a lotion or cream smooth and uniform instead of separating.
Cholesterol
Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)Cholesterol is a multitasker that softens and smooths the skin feel while helping oil and water mix. It also adjusts the product's thickness and helps keep the formula stable in light. On a label it can appear simply as cholesterol.
Xanthan Gum
Binder (holds the formula together)Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Gel forming (sets the formula into a gel)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)A thickener that adjusts how thick the product is and forms a gel-like texture. It keeps oil and water mixed and stops the blend from separating, giving a stable, even feel.
Carbomer
Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Gel forming (sets the formula into a gel)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)A thickener that adjusts how thick the product is and forms a gel. It also keeps oil and water blends from separating, holding the texture together.
An antioxidant that helps keep the formula from going off over time. In practice it protects the product's other ingredients from breaking down.
Disodium EDTA
Chelating (binds metal ions in the formula)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)An ingredient that binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula, and helps adjust its thickness. This keeps the product stable over time.
Citric Acid
Buffering (holds the formula at a set acidity)Chelating (binds metal ions in the formula)Fragrance ingredient (scent)otherCitric Acid is a mild acid used to fine-tune a formula's pH. It keeps the acidity steady (buffering), binds trace metals that would spoil the formula (chelating), and can add a scent note.
A moisture-grabbing ingredient that draws in and holds water. That keeps skin conditioned and helps it feel supple. It's the salt form of hyaluronic acid.
Checking this against your own list
SPF Scout's Personal Ingredient Check runs in the app, on your device. This page cannot see a personal avoidance list. Your selections are stored on your phone and are never sent to this website — there is nowhere on our side for them to go.
In the app you choose the ingredients you already avoid, and every entry in this declaration that matches one of them is shown to you with the alias path that produced the match.
This comparison does not predict whether your skin will react.
Source quality
- Source
- DailyMed drug label
- Source record
- https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=defa9588-95be-4f5c-86bb-53d6a1df7f5f
- Retrieved
- 27 July 2026
- Market
- United States
- Formulation date
- Not recorded
- Version
- v2 of this U.S. formulation
- Verification confidence
- High
- Entries recorded
- 23
- Record checksum
- sha256:7a8aa63fb34e40f174de8d8972eae4b64933128650fd776c449f04ace0aee430
Earlier readings of this document
We have read this product's source document twice, and kept each reading. The earlier reading is ours: a change in how we read the document, not a change the manufacturer made to the formula.
Always compare this record with your current package.