Same ceramides, same brand, one real difference: the cream has petrolatum and the lotion doesn't.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Daily Moisturizing Lotion share the same backbone: glycerin, three ceramides (NP, AP and EOP), cholesterol, phytosphingosine and hyaluronic acid, with no fragrance. The cream adds petrolatum high in its ingredient list, plus more fatty alcohols, which makes it thick and leaves a sealing layer that slows water loss. The lotion skips petrolatum and uses lighter emollients like caprylic/capric triglyceride and dimethicone, so it spreads thin and sinks in fast.
That one swap decides it. If your skin is dry, flaky or eczema-prone, buy the cream. If your skin is normal to oily, or you want something that sits well under sunscreen, buy the lotion. The 8 oz cream is the same formula in a smaller size, at a higher cost per ounce.
Pick by how dry your skin is
| Richer option CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Dry Skin, 19oz | VS | Lighter option CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for Face and Body |
|---|---|---|
Thick cream | Texture |
Thin, fluid lotion |
Petrolatum (7th ingredient) | Sealing ingredient |
None; lighter emollients instead |
Ceramides NP, AP, EOP + cholesterol | Barrier lipids |
Ceramides NP, AP, EOP + cholesterol |
Glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Humectants |
Glycerin, hyaluronic acid |
Dry to very dry, eczema-prone | Best skin type |
Normal, combination, oily |
19 oz tub | Package |
19 oz pump bottle |
| View | View |
Most of the formula is shared, so focus on the part that isn’t.
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What's the same
Both use glycerin as the main humectant, three ceramides with cholesterol and phytosphingosine for the barrier, sodium hyaluronate for hydration, and CeraVe’s MVE time-release base. Both are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and carry the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.
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What's different
The cream lists petrolatum and more cetearyl alcohol near the top, which makes it thicker and better at keeping water in your skin. The lotion replaces them with caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone and polysorbate 20, which spread thinner and leave less behind.
Both contain dimethicone. If a moisturizer pills under your sunscreen, use less and give it a minute to settle.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: the one for dry skin
Thick, petrolatum-backed cream for dry skin.
This is CeraVe’s thickest everyday moisturizer. Water and glycerin come first, then cetearyl alcohol, caprylic/capric triglyceride and petrolatum. Petrolatum is one of the most effective ingredients for slowing water loss through the skin, and it’s the main reason the cream feels richer and lasts longer on dry patches than the lotion.
Under that sit ceramides NP, AP and EOP, cholesterol and phytosphingosine, the lipids your skin barrier is built from, plus sodium hyaluronate. It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and accepted by the National Eczema Association, and you can use it on your face and body, morning or night.
The 19 oz tub is the size to buy if you use it on your body every day. If your skin is oily or acne-prone, skip it: it’s heavier than you need.
- Petrolatum seals moisture into dry, rough skin
- Three ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free and accepted by the National Eczema Association
- Lower cost per ounce than the 8 oz size
- Too heavy for most oily skin
- Takes longer to sink in than the lotion
- Tub means dipping your fingers in
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion: the everyday, all-over pick
Light, fast-absorbing lotion for face and body.
The lotion keeps the cream’s barrier ingredients (ceramides NP, AP and EOP, cholesterol, phytosphingosine and sodium hyaluronate) but drops the petrolatum. Its emollients are caprylic/capric triglyceride and dimethicone, which spread easily and leave skin soft without a greasy film.
That makes it faster to apply over your arms and legs after a shower and easier to wear on your face during the day, under sunscreen or makeup. CeraVe recommends the lotion over the cream for oily and acne-prone skin. It’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and accepted by the National Eczema Association.
If your skin is truly dry or cracked, the lotion won’t hold moisture in as long as the cream. Use the cream on those spots.
- Same ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid as the cream
- Sinks in fast and layers well under sunscreen
- Pump bottle makes all-over body use quick
- Usually costs a little less than the 19 oz cream
- Not enough on its own for very dry or cracked skin
- Contains dimethicone, which can pill if you use too much under sunscreen
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, 8 oz: same cream, smaller size
The same rich cream in a smaller size.
This is the same formula as the 19 oz tub: petrolatum, three ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid, with no fragrance. Nothing about how it works on your skin changes.
Buy it if you only use the cream on your face or a few dry spots, or if you want to try it before committing to the big tub. If you use it on your body every day, the 19 oz costs less per ounce and lasts far longer.
- Identical formula to the 19 oz cream
- Lower upfront cost to try it
- Lasts a long time if you only use it on your face
- Costs more per ounce than the 19 oz
- Runs out fast with daily body use
Which one should you use on your face?
Both are made for face and body, and both are non-comedogenic, so either one can go on your face. The real question is how much weight your skin wants.
In the morning, use the lotion. It absorbs quickly, so your sunscreen goes onto a smooth surface instead of sliding over a thick layer. On normal, combination or oily skin, it's all the moisturizer you need.
At night, dry skin does better with the cream. The petrolatum keeps water in while you sleep, when tight, flaky skin has the longest stretch to recover. If your skin is dry, a simple split works well: lotion in the morning under sunscreen, cream at night.
If a moisturizer pills under your sunscreen, use a pea-sized amount, wait a minute, then apply sunscreen. Both formulas contain dimethicone, and too thick a layer is the most common reason for pilling.
Choose CeraVe Moisturizing Cream if your skin is dry, rough or eczema-prone. Petrolatum on top of three ceramides and cholesterol makes it the better barrier moisturizer, especially on your body and at night. Get the 19 oz tub if you’ll use it every day. The 8 oz size only makes sense for face-only use or a trial.
Choose Daily Moisturizing Lotion if your skin is normal, combination or oily, or you want one bottle for quick all-over use and daytime wear under sunscreen. It has the same ceramides and hyaluronic acid without the weight, and it usually costs a little less.
