CeraVe repairs with ceramides. Cetaphil seals harder with petrolatum and plant oils, for less per ounce.
The CeraVe vs. Cetaphil moisturizing cream choice looks like a coin flip: two big fragrance-free tubs for dry skin, face and body. The ingredient lists show two different strategies.
CeraVe is the barrier-repair cream. It combines glycerin and hyaluronic acid with three ceramides, cholesterol and phytosphingosine, and keeps petrolatum fairly low. Cetaphil is the heavier seal. Petrolatum sits third on its list, joined by sunflower and sweet almond oils, with panthenol and niacinamide added. It usually costs less per ounce, too.
So: CeraVe for your face and for eczema-prone skin, Cetaphil for very dry body skin on a budget.
Which cream should you buy?
Three differences that matter
Both are thick, fragrance-free creams for dry skin. These are the points where they actually split.
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Barrier lipids
CeraVe has ceramides NP, AP and EOP plus cholesterol, the same lipids your skin barrier is made of. Cetaphil has none, so CeraVe is the one to pick for eczema-prone or over-exfoliated skin.
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How much it seals
Cetaphil lists petrolatum third and adds sunflower and almond oils. CeraVe lists petrolatum seventh. Cetaphil holds in more moisture; CeraVe feels lighter on your face.
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Extras
Cetaphil adds panthenol and niacinamide. CeraVe adds hyaluronic acid. All three are helpful, but none of them changes which cream suits your skin type.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream includes sweet almond oil, a tree-nut oil. If you’re allergic to almonds, choose CeraVe, which has no nut oils.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: ceramides for face and body
Ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid for face and body.
CeraVe’s cream starts with water, glycerin and a mix of fatty alcohols and caprylic/capric triglyceride, a light emollient. Petrolatum and dimethicone come further down to hold moisture in without much weight.
The reason to buy it is the barrier set: ceramides NP, AP and EOP, cholesterol and phytosphingosine, the lipids your skin barrier is made of, plus hyaluronic acid. CeraVe uses its MVE delivery system to release them slowly over the day.
It has no fragrance, is labeled not to clog pores and carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Choose it for dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin, and if you want one tub for your face and body. Skip it if you only need a heavy body cream at the lowest cost.
- Three ceramides, cholesterol and phytosphingosine for barrier repair
- Glycerin and hyaluronic acid for hydration
- Labeled not to clog pores; carries the National Eczema Association seal
- No fragrance
- Costs more per ounce than Cetaphil
- Less occlusive, so very dry body skin may want more
Yes, if you’ll use it on your face or your skin is eczema-prone. It’s the only one of the two with ceramides and cholesterol, it’s lighter on the face and it’s labeled not to clog pores. If you only need a heavy body cream, Cetaphil does that job for less.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream: the heavier seal for very dry skin
Petrolatum, plant oils, panthenol and niacinamide.
Cetaphil’s cream is built for occlusion. Glycerin comes second, then petrolatum third, followed by dicaprylyl ether and dimethicone, two light emollients that help it spread. Sunflower seed oil and sweet almond oil add softness, and vitamin E rounds it out.
The current formula also includes panthenol (vitamin B5) and niacinamide. Panthenol pulls in water and soothes; niacinamide supports the skin barrier. It has no fragrance.
Choose it for dry to very dry skin, especially on your body, or if you want the lower cost per ounce. Skip it if you’re allergic to almonds, or if heavy creams tend to clog your pores.
- Petrolatum third on the list for a strong moisture seal
- Panthenol and niacinamide for comfort and barrier support
- No fragrance
- Usually costs less per ounce
- No ceramides or cholesterol
- Heavier feel than CeraVe on the face
- Contains sweet almond oil, so not for almond allergies
For very dry body skin, yes. It seals in more moisture than CeraVe and usually costs less per ounce. On your face, or if your skin is eczema-prone, CeraVe’s ceramides and lighter feel make it the better pick.
| Barrier-repair pick CeraVe Ceramide Cream for Dry Sensitive Skin | VS | Richer, cheaper per ounce Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Very Dry Skin |
|---|---|---|
Ceramides NP, AP, EOP + cholesterol + phytosphingosine | Barrier lipids |
None |
Glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Humectants |
Glycerin, panthenol |
Petrolatum (7th), dimethicone | Occlusives and oils |
Petrolatum (3rd), dimethicone, sunflower and sweet almond oils |
Vitamin E | Extras |
Niacinamide, vitamin E |
None | Fragrance |
None |
Normal to dry skin, face and body | Made for |
Dry to very dry, sensitive skin |
19 oz | Tub |
20 oz |
| See details | See details |
Texture: which one feels heavier
Both are thick creams, but they're weighted differently. Cetaphil puts petrolatum third on its list and adds sunflower and sweet almond oils, so it leaves a richer, more cushioned layer. CeraVe lists petrolatum seventh, after glycerin and lighter emollients, so it feels less heavy once it settles.
On your face, CeraVe is the easier fit. It has less petrolatum and no plant oils, and it's labeled not to clog pores. On dry shins, hands and elbows, Cetaphil's heavier seal earns its place, especially in winter.
Either cream works best right after a shower or cleanse, while your skin is still a little damp. The humectants grab that water and the petrolatum holds it in. Use a pea-size amount on your face and more on your body. If you’re switching creams, try the new one on your jawline for a few days first.
In the CeraVe vs. Cetaphil moisturizing cream decision, the deciding question is whether you want barrier lipids or more occlusion for less money.
Choose CeraVe Moisturizing Cream if you want one cream for your face and body, or your skin is eczema-prone or easily clogged. It has three ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid, carries the National Eczema Association seal and is labeled not to clog pores.
Choose Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream if your skin is very dry and you mostly need it for your body. More petrolatum plus sunflower and almond oils make it the heavier seal, panthenol and niacinamide add comfort, and it usually costs less per ounce. Skip it if you’re allergic to almonds.
