Everywhere you look, CeraVe is there. In glowing drugstore displays. On social feeds. In dermatologist videos, pregnancy forums, and baby skincare recommendations. It’s labeled “gentle.” “Safe.” “Developed with dermatologists.” And for many, that’s where the questions stop.
But what if the products we’re told are safe (especially for babies, sensitive skin, or eczema) are filled with ingredients that actually compromise the skin barrier, or worse, introduce unnecessary toxins into the body?
Let’s break down what’s really in these bestsellers, especially the baby eczema line, and explore why we chose to create our own ancestral skincare line using a powerful, whole ingredient that’s been around for centuries: grass-fed tallow.
The Problem with “Safe” Skincare
“Dermatologist-recommended” has become a kind of modern-day security blanket. It signals trust, science, and mainstream approval. But in reality, it often masks over-formulated, overly processed products that may be far from nourishing. CeraVe is a classic example.
It’s a brand that dominates the market - loved for its low price point, creamy textures, and accessibility. Millions of people apply it daily, assuming it’s gentle and effective. And dermatologists? Many swear by it. However, we're learning through our ancestral wellness journey that popularity doesn’t equal purity. And authority doesn’t always mean accountability.
CeraVe and Hormonal Acne
Have you ever gone to your doctor looking for relief from hormonal acne? We can almost guarantee they have suggested CeraVe, or another similar face wash, that is "gentle" and "non-pore clogging." Unfortunately, CeraVe contains ingredients like silicones, PEGs, and petroleum-derived compounds that can create a film on the skin. These ingredients temporarily soothe dryness, but traps bacteria, disrupting the skin microbiome, and interfering with the skin’s natural detox process. For those with sensitive or hormonally imbalanced skin, this can actually make breakouts worse over time.
Then Why Do They Prescribe It?
Dermatologists often recommend products like CeraVe because they’re backed by large pharmaceutical companies, widely tested, affordable, and considered “safe” by conventional standards. CeraVe is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and pH-balanced, which checks a lot of boxes in traditional dermatology, where the goal is usually to manage symptoms like acne, dryness, or irritation quickly and with minimal allergic reactions.
However, this conventional model doesn’t look at the long-term effects of synthetic ingredients on the skin barrier, microbiome, or hormonal health. And that’s where people with hormonal acne often feel stuck: using a product that feels gentle but isn’t truly healing the issue from the root.
Let’s Talk About Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane
Found in: CeraVe Baby Healing Ointment and other baby products
This one sounds like something out of a lab; because it is. Cyclopentasiloxane (also called D5) is a silicone-based compound used to make products feel smooth and spreadable. It’s common in moisturizers and sunscreens, even in “sensitive skin” lines.
But here’s the issue:
Cyclopentasiloxane is not biodegradable. It builds up in the environment and in the body. Studies suggest it may act as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it could interfere with hormone function. It’s banned in rinse-off products in the EU if the concentration is above 0.1%, due to environmental and health concerns.
Even more concerning?
This ingredient is often included in products for infants, despite warnings that children under age 3 should not be exposed to potentially neurotoxic compounds. A developing brain and immature liver detox system makes infants far more vulnerable.
Phenoxyethanol
Found in: many CeraVe moisturizers and baby products
Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative, used to prevent bacteria from growing in your lotion. Sounds good, right?
Until you look deeper.
Phenoxyethanol is classified by the EWG as a moderate hazard due to risks of skin irritation, allergies, and organ system toxicity. Studies in lab animals suggest potential reproductive and developmental effects.
The EU restricts its use in products for infants. Yet in North America? It’s everywhere — even in creams marketed to new moms and babies.
Petrolatum (a.k.a. petroleum jelly)
Found in: CeraVe Baby Healing Ointment
Petrolatum is a by-product of crude oil. It creates a thick, occlusive layer on the skin, which can prevent water loss. While technically “inert,” there are concerns over contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — carcinogenic compounds linked to cancer and hormone disruption.
And though petrolatum creates a barrier, it doesn’t actually nourish or support the skin barrier. It’s like plastic wrap (temporarily helpful, but not healing).
Ceteareth-20 & PEG Compounds
Found in: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and cleansers
These emulsifiers help ingredients blend together and absorb better. But they come with potential ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane contamination both flagged by the EPA as potential carcinogens.
They also increase skin penetration, which may sound good, until you realize they help other harmful ingredients absorb deeper into your body.
So Why Is This Allowed?
Skincare regulation is complicated (and can be utter BS).
In the U.S. and Canada, the cosmetics industry is loosely regulated. Many ingredients allowed in mainstream skincare are restricted or banned in the EU. Long-term health risks like hormonal disruption, developmental toxicity, or environmental bioaccumulation are often overlooked in favour of short-term product feel and shelf stability.
And dermatologists? They’re trained to address symptoms, not necessarily root causes. They’re not required to study toxicology or holistic ingredient sourcing.
It’s not about place blame, it’s about awareness. We believe you deserve better.
Why We Chose Grass-Fed Tallow
Instead of lab-made chemicals and petroleum by-products, we use grass-fed tallow - an ancestral ingredient that nourishes your skin the way nature intended.
Here’s why tallow is a skincare powerhouse:
1. It’s bioavailable
Tallow’s fatty acid profile closely resembles human sebum - your skin’s natural oil. That means it absorbs easily, without clogging pores or disrupting your microbiome.
Tallow is rich in:
Vitamins A, D, E, and K — crucial for skin repair, collagen production, and cellular health.
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) — a natural anti-inflammatory.
Palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids — deeply hydrating, barrier-supporting fats.
2. It feeds your skin.
Rather than simply creating a barrier, tallow penetrates the skin’s layers and works with your body to regenerate, soothe, and protect.
You’re not just moisturizing; you’re nourishing.
3. It’s safe for everyone.
We use no fillers, no preservatives, and no synthetics. Our products are made in small batches, with whole ingredients you can pronounce — and trust. Safe for sensitive skin, kids, mamas-to-be, and anyone looking to simplify.
4. It’s rooted in tradition.
Our ancestors didn’t need a 12-step skincare routine. They used what was available, what was natural, and what worked. Tallow is a time-tested remedy — from nourishing postpartum skin to healing cuts, dryness, and inflammation.
This is ancestral wellness in a jar.
Tallow Twins & CeraVe: What's The Comparison?
When comparing CeraVe and Tallow Twins, the differences are clear. CeraVe’s main ingredients include water, petrolatum, phenoxyethanol, and silicones, while we use nourishing grass-fed tallow and organic essential oils. Unlike CeraVe, which contains synthetic preservatives like phenoxyethanol and ingredients such as silicones and PEGs that may act as hormone disruptors, we avoid synthetic preservatives and hormone-disrupting chemicals altogether.
CeraVe supports the skin barrier occlusively by creating a protective layer, whereas tallow supports it bioactively by working with your skin’s natural processes. Safety-wise, CeraVe’s use during pregnancy and on babies is debated, while Tallow Twins is considered safe for both.
The CeraVe Epidemic: What Can You Do?
Start reading your labels. Don’t be swayed by marketing buzzwords like “dermatologist-recommended” or “fragrance-free.” Look at what’s actually in the product and who it’s really serving.
The modern skincare industry wants us to need more. More serums. More prescriptions. More expensive, lab-grown solutions for problems we didn’t use to have.
But ancestral beauty is simple. Whole. Honest. And truly effective.
Non-Toxic Tallow Skincare
Our dream is to keep building a future where skincare supports health, not compromises it. That’s why we created our tallow-based skincare line. We’re not here to fearmonger. We’re here to tell the truth and help you make empowered, informed choices.
CeraVe may be on every shelf, but that doesn’t mean it deserves to be in your routine or on your baby’s skin. You deserve better. We’re choosing a return to ancestral ingredients, grass-fed beauty, and true nourishment. Thanks for choosing it with us.
Shop non-toxic skincare that works, here.