What is the difference between Cetaphil and CeraVe? While both 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.
Overall, there is no clear winner. It just depends on the needs of your own skin. If you experience dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin then CeraVe might be the clear choice. However, if you experience sensitive skin the Cetaphil is the better option.
Cetaphil is made in Canada and CeraVe is owned by L'Oreal. Both are very similar and tend to make “skincare for all”. They are all hypoallergenic and both brands are backed by Dermatologists and have been around for years.
Both CeraVe and Cetaphil are recommended by dermatologists; they are noncomedogenic and gentle for those with sensitive skin. Both are also easily available in almost every drugstore out there. CeraVe has a pretty impressive ingredient list for basically the same price point as Cetaphil.
Cetaphil is a gentle skincare brand that has been recommended and trusted by doctors and dermatologists for over 70 years, and is used by millions with sensitive skin around the world to improve the resilience of their skin.
Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe is the #1 dermatologist recommended skincare brand1.
CVS Moisturizing Cream Normal to Dry Skin (Generic Cerave)
CeraVe's top competitors include Micreos, and NIVEA.
"CeraVe is a commonly recommended brand in my practice, especially for acne patients and patients with eczema," says Juliya Fisher, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in Manhattan, New York.
The product continues to work after it is applied, hydrating your skin all day in just one use. This system—along with our unique combination of skin-identical ceramides—helps replenish your skin's existing ceramides, relieves dry skin by reducing moisture loss, increases hydration and helps restore the skin barrier.
cerave offers a complete line of cleansers, moisturizers and more that contain three essential ceramides to help restore the skin's protective barrier.
Now, I can see why my dermatologist always recommends using CeraVe skincare products. They help restore my skin's natural barrier and give my skin the hydration it needs. So, if you have sensitive, oily, acne-prone, eczema, psoriasis, combination or normal skin, CeraVe has a solution to help.
Dermatologists love to recommend it as a mild and non-irritating facial cleanser for two reasons: it doesn't contain fragrance and, more tellingly, because MDs have a big Pharma love affair with the manufacturer, Galderma, the offspring of Nestlé and L'Oréal, which also makes acne drugs like Differin.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion wins this comparison if you have dry skin. While both are lightweight lotions and CeraVe contains ceramides and sodium hyaluronate, Cetaphil packs in moisturizing and soothing ingredients like avocado oil, panthenol, and vitamin B5, making it an excellent choice for dry skin.
The majority of CeraVe products are non-comedogenic, so they won't clog pores or cause acne. Please check the label or product page for more information. All CeraVe products are fragrance- free and non-irritating.
The brand: You don't need to spend tons of money for effective products that derms love; Neutrogena is touted as the number one dermatologist-recommend skincare product and you can find it at the drugstore.
Best Overall: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Named the best overall by multiple dermatologists we spoke to, this CeraVe lotion does what it's supposed to do—moisturize the skin without leaving a greasy residue.
Dermatologist recommendation means a skin expert was paid for their endorsement. No actual testing has been done behind this endorsement.
It ticks all the boxes for being soap and fragrance-free, plus it won't clog pores. So, it won't irritate most skin types. Honestly, there's not much going on and that's exactly what makes it so great. There aren't many ingredients and the gentle formula is effective for sensitive skin.
Perfect for the hands, face, and total body, Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion and Cream are long-lasting, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic. After cleansing, pat skin dry. Try to avoid rubbing your skin. While skin is still damp, apply Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion or Cream.
Yes, you definitely can! A daily skin-care routine is important for maintaining skin health, particularly for those with sensitive skin. And our formula is gentle enough for daily cleansing, morning and night.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Dermatologists have been known to recommend this cult-classic and super-affordable drugstore brand for sensitive skin types. Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde absolutely swear by it.
CeraVe's Hydrating Facial Cleanser is safe for daily use, and it can be used on other parts of the body that experience irritation or acne. I typically wash my face with this cleanser twice a day for 60 seconds at a time.
I recommend CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion for daily use on even the most sensitive skin types because it contains no sulfates or fragrance and helps restore and protect dry skin.