As I was researching yesterday’s post on Equate vs. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, I learned something interesting: The INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) names for ingredients can change. The three ceramides that are included in every CeraVe product (ceramide 1, ceramide 3, and ceramide 6-II) have been updated, as of May 2014. So why does CeraVe continue to use the retired names? I decided to ask the company directly, and they responded within 12 hours. Impressive!

I sent a message to CeraVe to ask two things:

• why the company hasn’t updated the names of the ceramides they include in their products
• whether the company makes any products that contain any types of ceramides other than the three on the website (ceramide 1, ceramide 3, and ceramide 6-II)

Here’s what they had to say.

CeraVe’s response to my ceramide questions

It turns out that they’re well aware that the names have changed, but they continue to use the old ones so that they don’t alarm their existing customers. Interesting! I guess the only time it backfires is when you’re trying to compare it to an Equate/generic-brand version and you think that the type of ceramides used in the duplicate are different (but they’re actually the same).

Further reading

• Retired INCI names
• Asking Deciem for advice on skincare routines
• The best sheet masks for sensitive skin, according to The Face Shop
• Australian Gold defends its SPF 50 claims
• All CeraVe product reviews