CeraVe vs Cetaphil: Battle of Two Popular Moisturizers

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As more and more products hit the market, the need to write new content comes up and as such, the next one will be on CeraVe vs Cetaphil.

We cannot talk about skincare without the mention of lotions and moisturizers.

Although in recent times, the skincare market has been overwhelmingly flooded with numerous products that people tend to forget the old and reliable lotion/moisturizer.

However, it remains the basic and foundation of any skincare regime.

With the influx of various brands (along with the old ones, of course), it could sometimes be confusing to decide the best fit for your skin.

Of course, there are a lot of great products out there, but in this article, we will discuss two of the top-rated brands, CeraVe and Cetaphil.

If you’re unsure whether you should go with CeraVe or Cetaphil, this guide is for you. Keep reading!

CeraVe vs Cetaphil: Which Is Better for You?

As for the differences, CeraVe comes with Ceramides while Cetaphil does not.

Cetaphil is best known for its daily cleanser, unlike CeraVe, which offers excellent moisturizers.

While Cetaphil’s moisturizing cream is filled with avocado and vitamins, the CeraVe moisturizing lotion is enriched with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

Ceramide is 50% of your skin barrier and is responsible for the skin’s retention of moisture. Without it, the skin loses moisture quickly and remains dry.

For their facial cleanser, Cetaphil has a shorter ingredient list than CeraVe, thus it might be better for you if you have sensitive skin.

About Cetaphil: History, Products, & More

Cetaphil is owned and managed by Galderma, a company that tests on animals.

As with most companies in this category, they follow the policies of the parent companies. So, if the company sponsor animal testing or use animal-derived ingredients, then they’re going to follow suit.

Although Galderma allows the brands operating under it to make their own policies, Cetaphil has not ventured out to make cruelty-free products.

Perhaps, that’ll spur more expenses on their part.

Therefore, Cetaphil is counted among those brands that test and therefore not suitable for vegetarians.

Fortunately, there are lots of other brands out there that don’t test on animals so you’ll have a lot of options to choose from.

Reviews of Some Cetaphil Products

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

The Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream is designed for dry and sensitive skin. The cream has a long-lasting hydrating sensation that makes it suitable for very dry and eczema-prone skin.

It’s also great for moisturizing itchy skin. Fortunately, it doesn’t contain chemicals like parabens, lanolins, etc. It’s free from all those things that can cause irritation for sensitive skin.

The Cetaphil Moisturizer is non-comedogenic, which doesn’t cause breakouts or cause similar complications.

This means it won’t clog your pores when used on any part of your skin. Creams that have this quality are not just good for oily skin types but also very dry skin.

The cream can be used on any part of the skin including the hands, feet, knees, and areas that need continuous moisturization.

Although it’s creamy, it easily absorbs into the skin. And rich enough to nourish your skin. This results in smoother and noticeably fresh skin.

This is why it’s a good alternative to other brands like CeraVe, Eucerin, and similar brands. It also doesn’t leave behind an oily residue that can stain your clothes. Finally, Cetaphil cream doesn’t have any smell. Instead, it’s unscented.

While it comes with a lot of advantages and benefits, there might be side effects to using it. One user complained that they experience breakouts when using this product. Others even prefer the Cetaphil Daily Moisturizer to this.

Another thing to beware of this cream is that it’s greasy. So, it should be used sparingly on the face.

Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion

To be honest with you, I prefer the Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion to the CeraVe Cream. This is for a couple of reasons.

First, the Cetaphil Baby Daily Lotion contains organic calendula, which is a natural oil extract from a flower. It comes with antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

This is a great ingredient that helps in alleviating diaper rash, soothing eczema, as well as healing wounds.

Most babies experience one of these three while growing. That’s why it’s good to have such a product at home so you can use it as a treatment.

Another ingredient in the product is sweet almond oil, which is known to soothe dry skin, heal superficial skin burns. It can also be used in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis.

All of these are skin conditions that babies and even adults experience. I love that you have a lotion that can be used to treat all of this.

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser

This is one of Cetaphil’s popular products. The product claims that it’s suitable for oily and normal skin. To make that possible, it comes with a gentle and non-irritant ingredients list.

It’s dermatologist recommended and can be used for sensitive skin. You should note that this facial cleanser is a low lather formula. However, it doesn’t remove the body’s essential oils, which is a great benefit if it delivers.

Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash

The first thing you’ll notice from this body wash is that it’s fragrance-free. This is one of the biggest selling points for this product. If you have sensitive skin that’s irritated by artificial fragrances, then this is your best option.

Even though many body washes come with natural scent, there are some that are artificial, manufactured in the laboratory. Fortunately, this one is free from all of that.

Another great benefit of this product is that it’s filled with natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Vitamin B5, which is also very good for someone with sensitive skin.

It comes in a 16.9 Oz bottle and according to the manufacturer, is tested by a dermatologist.

The fact that Cetaphil is a trusted and established brand and lots of natural softeners in this product, I’ll recommend you try it out.

Apart from Moisturizers, Cetaphil Also Has Shampoos

Cetaphil has only one shampoo product which unfortunately is specified to be for babies. It is called the Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo.

The Cetaphil Baby shampoo is quite popular among mothers because it is very mild and made for the delicate skin and hair of babies.  It is made with a tear-free formula that ensures comfort for babies during use.

Although a few adults have reported the use of the Cetaphil Baby Shampoo, not much is reported on its effectiveness for Adult hair.

The Cetaphil Baby Wash Shampoo is currently available on Amazon at an even cheaper price than the Neutrogena Shampoo mentioned above.

Is Cetaphil Cruelty-Free

No, Cetaphil is not cruelty-free.

Cetaphil is a popular skincare company that develops a wide range of beauty items including moisturizers, creams, bar soaps, and lotions.

These products are popular among users and are fairly priced. However, Cetaphil tests on animals and isn’t a vegan brand.

Therefore, if you’re looking for cruelty-free and vegan skincare products, then Cetaphil is not for you. You may have to look for other skincare brands that are cruelty-free and don’t test on animals.

Animal Test Is Cruel and Gruesome

Have you seen where experiments are carried out on animals? If not, it’s done in a gruesome and inhuman way that’ll make you think twice before buying any product.

Most animals used in these tests are either maimed, blinded, or tortured. In fact, some if not most, are killed. It’s not even about the killing but the actual experience they go through before being killed.

Other reasons are obvious. There are a lot of quality cruelty-free brands with many countries banning animal testing. So, if you’re choosing to go with cruelty-free products, you’re doing the best you can for yourself and animals.

But, if you decide to buy any of their products, then there is no blame on you. Sometimes, there just aren’t better or comparable products to go with.

But if you’re a vegetarian, you probably won’t compromise your practice. In that case, just search for alternatives and make do with what you get.

How Good Are the Reviews on Cetaphil

The majority of reviews on Cetaphil is positive. There are a lot of reviewers who don’t just like them as a brand but because of the excellent products they make.

If you have dry and combination skin, Cetaphil has a good skincare product line for you to choose from. Also, you can use the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion as an everyday moisturizing cream.

Lastly, a few users mentioned they’re able to clear their acne using the cream from Cetaphil. So, if you’re having similar problems, you can try out one of Cetaphil creams on the market.

About CeraVe: History, Products, & More

CeraVe is an American brand with a lot of affordable skincare products to choose from.

Compared to Cetaphil (a French brand), CeraVe are one of the favorites of a lot of users because of their skin-changing beauty products.

They’re continuously innovating and one of their product was enriched with essential ceramides and fatty acids that help to rejuvenate and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.

Reviews of Some CeraVe Products

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion

If you’re looking for a facial moisturizer, the CeraVe facial lotion is a good one to consider. While it might be expensive, especially if you have a low budget for your next moisturizer, it’s very solid.

It comes in a 3 fluid oz bottle and is ideal for normal to oily skin. For the best results, you should use it as a night face moisturizer.

This doesn’t mean you can’t use it at other times but the manufacturer advised that for optimal results.

One of the best ingredients in CeraVe is ceramide, which helps retain moisture on the skin surface and fight against external irritants.

This is an essential ingredient for protecting as well as moisturizing the skin. Since CeraVe contains this, you should expect a good level of hydration when using their moisturizers.

Cerave is lighter and spreads easily.

Because of that, it’s possible your body is going to absorb it faster. Moreover, you don’t get to do more work when applying it to your body. So, if you’re looking for consistency, go for CeraVe.

CeraVe Moisturizing Body Lotion

The CeraVe Moisturizing Body Lotion is another nice lotion for moisturizing the body and restoring the protective skin barrier.

It can be used by people with sensitive or dry skin. it’s also suitable for people suffering from eczema as it comes with a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association (NEA).

Cost and Value

The lotion is priced reasonably. It’s not too expensive especially if you have sensitive skin and want to keep your body moisturized throughout winter and summer.

Benefits and Uses

The CeraVe moisturizer can be used for sensitive and dry skin for a hydrating effect. It’s free from fragrance, oil, and it’s non-comedogenic.

So, if you have sensitive skin, this won’t cause extreme irritation to you after use. It comes with the MVE Delivery Technology that helps prolongs the moisturizing effect of the lotion on the skin.

It’s dermatologist recommended and is filled with 3 essential ceramides so that the body can get optimum protection against environmental pollutants.

Ingredients

All moisturizing lotions have ingredients, even though they might be different. Fortunately, the ingredients in the CeraVe body lotion are good. The key ones are:

Hyaluronic acid: The main function of this ingredient is to help the skin retain its moisture. It alleviates dry skin by attracting moisture to the skin’s surface. This leaves the skin cells softer, plumper, and smoother.

Ceramides: This helps in building up the skin’s natural barrier, which is important for healthy skin. The action of this ingredient keeps out environmental pollutants and bacteria.

There are many other ingredients in the lotion but these are the important ones and how they affect the way the lotion works.

Recommendations

Although it’s a little expensive. But if you can afford it, I’ll say you should go for this lotion. It has received thousands of reviews and ratings from other uses and the majority of these are positive.

It’s not common to see this with many products even in the same category as this CeraVe moisturizer. A lot of people have benefited from it and it doesn’t have ingredients that can give you bad breakout or side effects.

CeraVe Ingredients List

Like Cetaphil, CeraVe also has good ingredients that don’t cause unnecessary allergy reactions. They don’t have sunscreen, metals, fragrances, or preservatives, surfactants, or harmful ingredients and chemicals.

This makes them not only suitable for babies but also adults alike.

Also, CeraVe products are formulated with ceramides, which are an essential part of your skin’s barrier for locking in moisture and preventing irritants.

In addition:

This much-valued property from CeraVe cream has bagged an endorsement from the National Eczema Association.

The concentration of 1% pramoxine hydrochloride works to relieve itchy skin which is caused by dryness. This relief is felt in as little as a few minutes and without the addition of steroids.

The pramoxine hydrochloride, which is a calming ingredient and which relieves itches is formulated to specifically help with providing relief.

Consumers have said they prefer CeraVe because they can use it liberally without the risk of a dependency developing.

Some Terms: 

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance used in lotions for smooth, flawless, and hydrated skin. It helps to retain the skin’s natural moisture. This moisture-binding function helps in giving skin brightness and coolness, especially for older people.

Ceramides work similar to Hyaluronic acid, it also helps the skin retain moisture. This ingredient has other benefits such as protecting the skin against pollution and irritants in the environment.

These things are usually responsible for itching and dryness especially if you’re sensitive. While the skin normally produces, it comes in the CeraVe skincare cream so it can moisturize and keep your body hydrated.

How to Choose the Best Moisturizer

I didn’t want to just compare CeraVe and Eucerin without adding some tips on how to choose the best moisturizer.

Whether you’re looking for body or face moisturizer, there are a lot out there to choose from. But the cheer number of them might actually confuse you and make it very difficult to choose one.

Unless you’ve been buying for years or have a favorite brand, you may not escape this. That’s why keeping some of these factors (that’ll be discussed below) in mind can help you. Add more weight if you’re buying for the first time.

I also see that this might benefit you if you’re buying for your baby or your baby is also going to use from it. The reason is that you need to be even more careful because a baby’s skin is more susceptible to harmful ingredients.

Now, here are some of the things you should keep in mind.

Know Your Skin Type

The first step towards choosing the best moisturizer for you is knowing your skin type. Fortunately, you can identify this yourself, in the comfort of your home.

You don’t need the help of a dermatologist for this. But if you want, you can go to your personal dermatologist for help but this is something you can do in the privacy of your home.

When you match the kind of moisturizer that’s suitable for your skin, you’ll increase your chance of getting the most out of what you end up buying.

In this article, I’ll concentrate on the face. It’s easier to identify your skin type when you examine your face. What you need to do is identify where oily or dry parts are on your face.

To accurately evaluate your skin type, you need to:

• Wash your face, using mildly warm soap and water
• After waiting for 10 minutes, check your face
• You should be able to identify oily/dry areas on the face

Once you identify the oily or dry part of your face, follow these guidelines to determine your skin type:

• Your face is completely dry, no oil anywhere – You have a dry face
• There is oil all over your face – You have oily skin
• You have a minimal amount of oil on your face – This is normal skin
• The skin around the cheek/face is dry but forehead and nose is oily – You have a combination skin

Now, you should have identified the kind of skin you have. It should be noted that all skin types have some level of sensitivity to them. Any of them can be upset especially with a temperature change.

Using moisturizers, sunscreen, makeup, soap, etc., on the skin can irritate the skin especially if you have sensitive skin. Many lotions now accommodate sensitive skins, so you should be on the lookout for those.

Normal Skin

Normal skin is the best out of all these and has the lowest chances of being irritated. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be if you use the wrong moisturizer on it.

If you have this skin, you should try to maintain the natural balance by choosing lotions that is lightly occlusive. These kinds of moisturizers have humectants, which help in trapping water in the skin such that it keeps it hydrated.

Combination Skin

If you have combination skin, you can also benefit from occlusive moisturizers. They help prevent water loss from the face. Emollients are also useful here as they soften dry, rough, or flakey skin.

Dehydration can happen to combination skin so using these products can help you prevent the resulting water loss.

Dry Skin

Dry skin, and oily skin, are the trickier to handle than normal and combination skin. This kind of skin loses moisture quickly.

Therefore, you need a lotion that can help you rehydrate, replenish, and relax the skin. Most lotions in this range also make the skin glow, smoothen it, and make it feel good.

Oily Skin

This skin holds the most moisture. If you’ve been buying moisturizers for a time, you’d have noticed that a lot of them have label reading similar to “for dry/oily skin’.

But not many are targeted the same way to normal or combination skin. This is because oily skin can be irritated quickly because of the excess production of sebum which might blog the pores and cause acne.

However, you don’t have to worry as having oily skin does not automatically translate into skin problems. Just ensure you’re choosing a product that can accommodate your skin type.

More Content from the site:

For more information on the series, you can check out our page here. We’ve reviewed quite a number of brands ranging from hair care, styling, and skincare brands.

Whether you’re looking for your next shampoo or conditioner or body cream, you should be able to find a brand that’ll serve your needs.

Also, don’t forget to let me know in the comment section if you have any questions.