With my skin care products, I am not a monogamist. In fact, even when I find ‘the one’ – a product that makes a noticeable difference in the brightness or texture of my skin – I’m looking for the next best thing once the last drop of product touches my fingers. Surely there must be something that can make my skin even better than this, I will think to myself. And so the search for skin care products begins anew.
Last summer, my skin care routine and I had a good time until videos started filling up my TikTok “For You” page about the humble, affordable drugstore brand CeraVe, whose products were sold out in drug stores across the country. At first it was confusing. I used CeraVe products back in 2007 and although I liked the face wash and moisturizers, I switched to better (and admittedly more expensive) products. Was it the same proven CeraVe I knew? And like the good consumer I am, the scarcity of the product just made me crave CeraVe even more.
CeraVe’s coveted status can be traced back to TikTok skin fluencer Hyram Yarbro alias @ SkincarebyHyram – which boasts nearly 7 million followers on TikTok alone. Its many reviews of CeraVe products explain why the brand’s salicylic acid ingredients are ideal for acne-prone skin and why CeraVe’s non-syrup cleanser is best for dry, sensitive skin. Although Yarbro is not a dermatologist, he gained the trust and loyal support of a Gen-Z audience by acting as a whistleblower in the industry, through marketing and prioritizing skin health. by means of an ingredient that is aware of ingredients. And while caution should be exercised with an unambiguous approach conveyed to thousands or millions of people in bite-sized videos, Yarbro and another informative approach from Yfro and other skin color is compelling. It gives viewers a sense of agency to make their own decisions.
On my next trip to the pharmacy for something unrelated, I walk past the skin care department and can’t help but see the CeraVe waiting on the shelf. I pick up a bottle of the hydrating facial cleanser, which to my surprise was all in stock. I thought this accessibility should contribute to the meteoric rise of the brand. Walk into any pharmacy and, unless there is another sold out frenzy, you can get CeraVe immediately. You are not waiting for your online order.
Now months have passed and I am working on the last drops of my CeraVe purchase this summer. But this time, I feel like I’m not ready to give it up yet. Although I did not have before and after transformation that could go viral, the TikTok hype was not wrong. My dry skin looks good (and less dry) after using the hydrating cleanser regularly. I can go back to my hunt-for-something-better ways, but should I stick with my reliable, proven and true CeraVe? Although some of the other products in my skincare regimen are expensive (keep in mind that not all brands have the economy, but that CeraVe is at an affordable price point, but that does not mean you can expect the same with excellent quality) of each brand), I plan to keep CeraVe’s affordable face wash for another round.
