We’re positive you’ve seen Cetaphil products and Cerave products at your local target or drugstore. But are they worth the hype – and what is the difference? Today we’re going to looking into both CeraVe vs. Ceatphil products and help you determine which is right for you!
While they’re very similar in many ways (oil-free, lightweight, etc) Cerave has added ingredients (ceramides is one big one) that Cetaphil doesn’t have. We are looking forward to diving into more information on each brand’s specific product to see which one is right for you!
Make sure that you know that skin products are not a one size fits all. What works for one person may not work for another! If you try one of these products and don’t like it, try the other one. There are tons of different moisturizers and cleansers out there to try if these don’t work well for you.
Which Should You Choose?
Both of these brands are readily availalbe and affordable. CeraVe is often better for repairing the skin barrier, while Cetaphil is superior for very sensitive or combination skin due to its lighter formula. Here is a quick overview to help you decide which brand might be best for you:
- If you have sensitive skin: try Cetaphil
- Wanting to restore skin’s barrie: try CeraVe
- Hypoallergenic and soothing: try Ceravi
- Dry, flaky, eczema prone skin: start wtih CeraVe
- Looking for a lighter product: try Cetaphil
- Looking for a thicker cream: try CeraVe
CeraVe vs. Cetaphil
Both brands are well known for their relatively inexpensive products, with almost all products they offer pricing in under $20. Both sell a similar type of fragrance-free moisturizer and cleanser, and both brands are available in most convenience stores or supermarkets around the country.
Plus, both products are well known to help moisturize skin without causing any type of allergic reactions or inflammation. So, how do you choose between Cetaphil and CeraVe? Is one moisturizer better than the other?
Is one cleanser better than the other? Our guide will go through the differences between the two moisturizers and the two cleansers so you can make the best decision for your skin.
First let’s start with moisturizing creams.
(Just a note – the ingredient list for each product was taken from each brand’s website. They note that ingredients can change so please be sure to check your specific product’s ingredient list for active ingredients and other ingredients.)
Moisturizers Compared
A good body moisturizer is a needed product for everyone – men, women, kids and babies! It not only prevents itchy skin but also leaves you soft, hydrated and smooth skin. All parts of your skin need moisturizing – face and body.
If you need to keep your skin full of hydration, Cetaphil moisturizing cream is a good solution. It’s perfect for those who have sensitive or dry skin, as well as those who are suffering from eczema. Cetaphil helps to lock in your skin’s moisture for hours at a time to keep your body or face hydrated and free of wrinkles.
Cetaphil’s formula not only helps to soothe your skin but helps to alleviate itchy or flaking skin. It contains ingredients that help prevent your skin from losing moisture while simultaneously trapping moisture into your skin. However, if you have incredibly oily skin, Cetaphil may feel greasy on your face.
Many love CeraVe because of its ability to repair and protect your skin. CerAve is an extraordinary moisturizer because of the addition of both Ceramide 6-II and Ceramide 3 in its formula. Ceramide is a compound that helps to restore your skin’s natural protective barrier.
CeraVe is perfect for anyone who is in the sun on a daily basis. The added SPF in the ingredients helps to protect your skin from sunburn, sun poisoning, wrinkles, and freckles. Anyone with acne-prone skin or who suffers from eczema should use this moisturizer as it won’t make your face feel greasy or clog any pores.
Cetaphil Moisturizures
- Cetaphil Face and Moisturizing Body Cream – perfect for those who have sensitive or dry skin, as well as those who are suffering from eczema. Cetaphil’s formula not only helps to soothe your skin but helps to alleviate itchy or flaking skin.
- Cetaphil Hydrating Oil Free Face Lotion – Instantly hydrates and locks in moisture for 24 hours to protect skin from dryness, won’t clog pores
- Cetaphil Daily Deep Hydrating Face Cream – Exclusive hydrosensitive complex deepens dynamic hydration and soothes skin sensitivity, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B5 & Antioxidant Vitamin E to rehydrate and soothe
CeraVe Moisturizers
- CeraVe Moisturizing Face and Body Cream – Cerave Moisturzing cream is a daily moisturizer helps restore the skin’s protective barrier. Suitable for use on entire body, face, and hands. Non-comedogenic, non-greasy, fast-absorbing fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and oil-free.
- CeraVe Face Moisturizer with Sunscreen – oil-free & fragrance-free daily face moisturizer with SPF 30. Hyaluronic acid to retain the skin’s natural moisture.
- CeraVe PM Moisturizing Lotion – Ultra-lightweight facial moisturizing lotion moisturizes throughout the night and helps restore the protective skin barrier.
- CeraVe Renewing Night Cream – Biomimetic Peptides, a unique peptide complex, helps to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles while supporting skin elasticity, and reduce the look of tired skin overnight
*If you struggle with acne be sure your washing your makeup brushes frequently!
Cleansers Compared
Let’s talk cleansers! Facial cleansers are meant to clear the skin of makeup, dirt, dead skin cells and other excess oil. This not only clears and unclogs pores that can cause acne but it also primes the skin for treatments such as Vitamin C, toner or moisturizer. A good cleanser is essential to your skincare routine!
Foaming cleansers are best for oily/acne-prone skin, providing a deep clean to remove excess oil and buildup, while hydrating cleansers are best for dry/sensitive skin.
While both CeraVe and Cetaphil contain a lot of similarities, such as providing a non-fragrance cream that is inexpensive to treat skin conditions, they both have a fundamental difference. CereaVe has added ceramides, while Cetaphil does not.
Ceramides are essential to keeping the skin moisturized, looking young, and preventing wrinkles because it helps restore the skins protective barrier. Cetaphil does not contain any of those types of ingredients in its formula.
*A good facial mask is a great addition to any skin care regime!
Cetaphil Facial Cleansers
Like the others, Cetaphil also has a variety of facial cleanser based on your skin’s unique needs. Their Daily Facial Cleanser is a mild, low lather formula that won’t irritate your skin, clog pores or strip it of its natural oils.
It’s gentle yest effective in cleaning your skin of makeup, dirt and other oils leaving your skin feeling cleaned and refreshed, never tight or dry.
Ingredients in Cetaphil Facial Cleansers
Water, Glycerin, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Masking Fragrance, Panthenol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben
CeraVe Cleansers
Like the moisturizers, there are a variety of facial cleansers. CeraVe’s most common cleanser is their Hydrating Facial Cleanser. CeraVe’s cleansers work to clean you skin of dirt, makeup and other things that could be on your face without stripping it of it’s natural oils and moisture.
Like their moisturizer, it has 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help restore the protective barrier of your skin and lock in moisture so your skin never feels tight and dry.
Ingredients in CeraVe Clenaser
Aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Peg-40 Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, Ceramide Eop, Carbomer, Glyceryl Stearate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
Which Product is Better For Your Skin Type?
- Dry or dehydrated skin: start with CeraVe
- Concerned about skin health: start with CeraVe
- Acne prone: start with Cetaphil
- Looking for a good basic: try Cetaphil
To protect yourself from dry or dehydrated skin, you’ll need to choose products that help to preserve your skin and lock the moisture in. With CeraVe, you’ll find the best ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides, which really help to keep the skin glowing and hydrated.
While Cetaphil does offer ingredients such as plant oils and vitamin complexes, it can’t compare to the powerful ingredients of CeraVe.
Neither of these products contain retinol.
Are They Recommended by Dermatologists?
Both CeraVe and Cetaphil are recommended by dermatologists for people with sensitive skin. These are affordable drug store options that are fragrance free and widely tolerated by most skin types.
Other Popular Alternatives
If you find yourself not loving either the CeraVe or Cetaphil Moisturizers, here are a few additional lotions to try out! All skin types respond to ingredients in different ways so as we mentioned above, finding the best skin care products is not a one size fits all!
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisture Repair
Aveeno is a great option for anyone wanting the ceramides that is found in the CeraVe cream along with some other natural ingredients such as oat flour and oat oil and extract. This super rich body cream is great for extra dry skin.
It’s fragrance free and steroid free and provides an intense hydration that lasts for a full 24 hours. This is a great option for sensitive skin as well as very dry skin.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
If you don’t already own Aquafor Healing Ointment you aren’t living. I kid but seriously – this product is amazing! Use if for chapped lips or cracked hand or feet, dry skin patches (we use this on our son who gets dry skin patches on his legs) and just about anything else.
This isn’t a normal body cream or lotion but more of an ointment. You wouldn’t put this all over your skin but you can definitely put it anywhere that needs a little extra TLC!
L’Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream
If you’re ready to splurge on the best moisturizer, try out L’Occitane’s Ultra Rich Body Cream. It’s made with 25% shea butter to help keep your skin moisturized for up to 72 hours. It’s made without parabens and without phthalates.
FAQ
No, they are owned by different companies. CeraVe is owned by L’Oréal, while Cetaphil is owned by Galderma.
Yes Cetaphil can cause burning or irritation, particularly in individuals with highly sensitive skin, eczema, or a compromised skin barrier.
Yes, you can! They contain similar ingredients which can be safely used together.
We hope this ultimate guide helps you in knowing the difference between CeraVe vs. Cetaphil and assists in making the right decision for you and your skin type.