CeraVe was founded in 2005, according to L'Oréal's announcement of the acquisition, and the brand's own history says it began with a group of dermatologists who wanted therapeutic skincare that restores the skin barrier. L'Oréal agreed to buy it in January 2017. It launched with a Moisturizing Cream, a Moisturizing Lotion and a Hydrating Facial Cleanser, and that short list tells you what the brand cares about: barrier first, everything else second.

The CeraVe facial moisturizing lotion most people search for is now called PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. The brand says it is formulated with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides, and uses MVE Technology to release moisture steadily through the night. The retailer line adds that it is oil free, fragrance free and non-comedogenic. CeraVe does not publish a niacinamide percentage, so I will not guess one.

I like it because it feels like a lotion and not a heavy cream. That suits normal, combination and even oily skin, which the brand page says still needs moisture around the clock.

The first grid is eight CeraVe moisturizers, from a night lotion to a rich cream. The second grid is gel creams and night creams from other brands. My tip: put it on after your serum, on slightly damp skin, and use a pea-sized amount so it does not pill under later layers.

PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is the lightweight night lotion with 48-hour hydration claims. Daily Moisturizing Lotion is the large lightweight lotion with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and MVE technology for normal to dry skin, which makes it a body-and-face workhorse. Moisturizing Cream Body and Face Moisturizer is the richer 48-hour cream with three ceramides, and it has the highest rating among the big tubs here.

For the face at night, Skin Renewing Night Cream adds biomimetic peptides to hyaluronic acid and three ceramides to reduce the look of fine lines. It is the one I would pick if you want a night cream but are nervous about strong actives. Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel is for all skin types, with ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid in a light gel. Oil Control Moisturizing Gel-Cream is for combination to oily skin and absorbs excess oil, though it has only 27 reviews so far, so treat the rating as early.

On the dry end, Intensive Moisturizing Lotion has Hydro-Urea, ceramides, MVE and shea butter for very dry skin, again with few reviews, so I would read those before buying. Intensive Moisturizing Cream is CeraVe's richest, with 5% Hydro-Urea, for dry to very dry skin. Winter cheeks, chapped hands and rough elbows are where I would use it, and a thin layer goes a long way.

What I would skip: the richest cream under makeup if your skin runs oily. Reach for the gel or the PM lotion instead.

If a lotion still feels like too much on your face, the lighter gels in this grid are the answer. Tatcha The Water Cream is an oil-free gel cream aimed at pores and texture, and it is refillable. Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip is a lightweight gel moisturizer with hyaluronic acid for a dewy glow. Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice is an oil-free water gel with watermelon and hyaluronic acid for oily or combination skin.

The INKEY List Omega Water Cream has 5% niacinamide and a 0.2% ceramide complex, with a dewy, balanced finish. Biossance Probiotic Gel is a lightweight gel with encapsulated probiotics that is meant to calm redness and balance oil. CLINIQUE Moisture Surge 100H is a refreshing oil-free gel-cream that claims up to 100 hours of hydration, and it is fragrance free.

For nights, fresh Lotus Youth Preserve is an antioxidant night cream for fine lines, radiance and dry skin. Origins High-Potency Night-a-Mins is an overnight moisturizer and peel with fruit-derived AHAs, which I would hand to dull skin that is not sensitive.

What I would skip: Night-a-Mins if your skin is reactive or you are already using a strong exfoliant. Start with the Biossance gel instead.

I think the best moisturizer is the one you will actually put on at night, and a lotion with ceramides is hard to argue with. Start with the PM lotion if your skin is normal, combination or oily, and move to a cream only if you feel tight in the morning. Gels are the better choice when the weather is humid, and a night cream is a nice extra when your skin looks tired. Whatever you pick, keep the rest of your routine boring for two weeks so you can tell what is working. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Building a Bedtime Shelf Around CeraVe Night Cream and The Best Tanning Lotion Builds Color Over a Few Days.