Cerave vs Cetaphil 2021: Which Is Best For You?

It’s time to settle the debate once and for all: Cerave vs Cetaphil.

If you’re wondering what products to use for clear skin, these are two totally mainstream brands on social media which dermatologists recommend that aim to deliver just that.

After all, having clear skin is a key ingredient in how to look prettier!

If you’re interested, we’ve covered here and here how you can create a routine that suits your skin type.

We’re here to analyze some of their most popular products.

While there’s no clear winner, it’s a good idea to look into the pros and cons to both sides.

Sit tight while we investigate and compare their products that tackle any skin concern you may be dealing with such as acne, lip eczema, dry skin, and more!

We’re gonna weigh both sides to leave you with a confident choice as to which side takes the cake.

But one thing is for sure: Both of these brands can be the perfect step towards having a perfect glow up routine!

Cerave vs Cetaphil: What’s the difference?

While Cerave and Cetaphil have similarities and have similar products, there are some distinct differences that separate the two.

And we also have an article about is Cetaphil good for acne that you should check out!

If you’re looking for a quick answer, Cerave is better for those who deal with dry skin and Cetaphil is more geared towards those with sensitive skin.

Not to say they can’t work for either skin type, of course.

Cetaphil is also the older brand, having been around for longer.

Both can be found easily and typically are in stock at local convenience stores.

First, let’s get into some of the features that make each brand unique for all different skin types.

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Cerave features

Cerave has some trademark features that really differentiate it’s formulas from other skincare brands.

To start off, Cerave’s formula contains a blend of 3 essential ceramides (lipid) which aid in protecting the skin barrier function to lock in moisture and keep out pollutants/debris.

This is one of the KEY reasons so many skin experts believe in Cerave, and it’s for good reason.

Not to mention, Cerave also has a patented Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) technology (fancy, huh?).

This allows the products to release moisture gradually throughout the course of a day which leads to overall better moisture retained.

That sounds amazin’, doesn’t it?

Also, Cerave is known for using quality ingredients in their products such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide which consumers can’t get enough of.

Cetaphil features

We couldn’t help but highlight Cerave’s awesomeness, but now let’s show Cetaphil some love.

To begin, Cetaphil is known for having skin care products that deliver for sensitive skin types in case you’re prone to allergic reactions.

Their formulations have pH levels that balance your skin’s pH to it’s optimal level which creates an environment that any skin type can thrive in (hello, clear skin).

Rather than ceramides, the Cetaphil line often includes glycerin in their products which is a humectant that also does an incredible job of helping your skin retain moisture.

Cetaphil also includes a vitamin complex and plant oil in their formulations.

In other words, this stuff will get your skin refreshed AF.

Notably, some of Cetaphil’s products may contain fragrance which concerns some skincare enthusiasts.

But honestly, the proof of thousands of positive reviews show that it works great for many peoples’ skin and it could for yours as well!

Let’s recap:

Cerave	Cetaphil
Advanced ingredients	Basic ingredients
Zero fragrance	May contain fragrance
Emphasis on dry skin	Emphasis on sensitive skin
Affordable $$	Affordable $$
Dermatologist recommended	Dermatologist recommended

Cerave vs Cetaphil Cleanser: Best cleanser for dry skin

Which company has the better cleanser for dry skin?

We’re comparing Cetaphil’s gentle skin cleanser and Cerave’s hydrating facial cleanser for this round.

Both have a similar price point, with the Cerave cleanser coming in at a slightly extra cost as the Cetaphil cleanser.

While both are solid options to include into your skincare routine, the Cerave cleanser formula includes some ingredients that are extremely beneficial to our skin such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid which is why we pick them as the better choice over Cetaphil for this cleanser.

Especially if you have dry skin.

Let’s break down both products.

Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser

Cetaphil’s gentle skin cleanser is formulated to hydrate the skin and replenish the skin’s natural moisture barrier while getting rid of excess oil.

This will help to reduce:

• Wrinkles
• Skin sensitivity
• Dryness
• Skin irritation
• Redness

It’s important to note that Cetaphil face wash is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic — all part of a gentle face wash we can trust.

In fact, many women swear by this as the perfect makeup remover cleanser.

Cetaphil’s gentle skin cleanser is perfect for all skin types including drier skin, sensitive skin, and oily skin.

Ingredient list: Water, Cetyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Stearyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben.

We know what you’re thinking.

Cetyl alcohol/stearyl alcohol?

Hear us out.

These two alcohols are actually fatty alcohols (similar to fatty acid or lipids) which serve to hydrate the skin’s natural barrier. Different from typical alcohols which strip the skin.

While overall this is a great candidate for a gentle cleanser, ingredients such as parabens make some people hesitant to purchase it which has given Cetaphil a bad rep.

Some are also hesitant when they see Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) because it is a foaming agent found in many cosmetics that is also found in harsh products such as detergent and floor cleaners.

However, there are many people who absolutely love this product because of it’s ability to remove impurities without stripping your skin of it’s natural oil.

Cerave hydrating facial cleanser

Cerave’s hydrating cleanser is a great example of an effective gentle cleanser.

Our first impressions of this cleanser is that Cerave really outdid themselves with this one.

Like, really.

This cerave product has become the favorite of so many due to all the skin care goodies they’ve packed into these bottles.

Yes, it’s worth the hype. They even worked with dermatologists to make the perfect formula for a gentle cleanser.

With ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid, this facial cleanser will:

• Repair skin’s natural moisture barrier
• Soothe dry skin
• Reduce redness
• Reduce irritation
• Lock in moisture in skin cells all day
• Reduce excess oil
• Prevent moisture loss

Of course, this Cerave hydrating cleanser has a non-comedogenic formula, non-irritating, and fragrance-free.

Yep, no fragrance (hallelujah).

It also has a thick consistency that is gel-like.

It’s one of the top rated cleansers for eczema and sensitive skin.

Notably, it was actually chosen by the national eczema association as the go-to cleanser for eczema which speaks volumes for Cerave’s cleanser.

For these reasons, if you’re looking for a gentle skin cleanser that protects your skin barrier and keeps the moisture locked in to your skin (not drying), this is a seriously amazing cleanser to consider.

It might be the best decision you could make for your skin.

Ingredient list: 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

With this Cerave formula adding loads of natural ingredients such as Vitamin E (potent antioxidant) that are beneficial to our skin, with little to no questionable ones, there’s no going wrong with this product.

This Cerave product suits all skin types and is extra perfect for those with sensitive skin and dry skin or those who experience skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, or puffiness.

Product Name	Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser	Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Skin Type	Sensitive, Dry	Sensitive, Dry
Key Ingredients	Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides	Cetyl Alcohol
Price	$10-$15	$6-$10
Consistency	Gel, No Foam	Gel, No Foam
How Often To Use	Daily Use (1-2x)	Daily Use (1-2x)
Average Consumer Rating	4.5/5	4.3/5

Cetaphil vs Cerave cleanser: Best for oily skin

When it comes to Cerave face wash vs Cetaphil, both Cerave and Cetaphil have great cleansers for those of you with oily skin.

You’ll want to determine what type of skin and acne you’re dealing with first.

If you have fungal acne, the treatment plan will be much different than if you have blind pimples.

So if you don’t know the difference between the two, we have a great article on fungal acne vs comedonal acne.

When it comes to oily, acne-prone skin, Cerave takes the crown.

The reason behind this: Cerave has multiple cleansers that can work perfectly for your skin type.

If you’re more towards the sensitive skin type, Cetaphil would be a great choice for you.

Let’s review these picks so you can get in the know of what your skin is going to love!

Cerave foaming facial wash

Cerave’s cleanser is a fan favorite which includes ingredients such as niacinamide which provides skin protection of the outer surface of the skin from external pollutants.

This facial wash is very gentle yet does the job of removing dirt and excess oil on your skin.

One pump of this Cerave foaming cleanser will go a long way when you lather it up, trust us.

You can also get Cerave foaming facial cleanser in a cleanser bar form as well.

Cerave acne foaming cream cleanser

If you’re looking for something more tailored towards acne-fighting cleansers, Cerave got you covered once again.

Cerave’s acne foaming cream cleanser is worth a shot in order to clear acne.

This Cerave cleanser contains 4% benzoyl peroxide which has anti-acne properties by killing p. Acne bacteria (bacteria that causes acne) directly, leaving your skin less inflamed while not being too stripping.

This cleanser can work perfectly for scalp acne, a pimple in ear, or a lip pimple.

Cetaphil daily facial cleanser

Cetaphil’s daily facial cleanser is great if you have oily sensitive skin.

In fact, this Cetaphil’s cleanser deep cleans without leaving your skin feeling tight or stripped.

This magic formulation also defends against 5 signs of skin sensitivity including weakened skin barrier, irritation, roughness, tightness, and dryness.

Of course, this makes it perfect for those with oily, sensitive skin.

Dermacontrol oil removing foam wash

This is another Cetaphil cleanser which is hands-down perfect for those with very oily skin types yet sensitive as well.

First off, this Cetaphil oily skin cleanser uses an innovative zinc technology which reduces surface oil and shine along with the pH balancing system and protection against skin sensitivity.

Product Name	Cerave Foaming Facial Wash	Cerave Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser	Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser	Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Removing Foam Wash
Skin Type	Normal, Oily	Acne-prone, Oily	Combination skin, Oily	Combination skin, Oily
Key Ingredients	Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide	Niacinamide, 4% Benzoyl Peroxide	Glycerin	Glycerin, Zinc
Price	$10-$15	$11-$15	$6-$10	$10
Consistency	Foam	Cream To Foam	Gel To Foam	Foam
How Often To Use	Daily Use ( 1-2x)	Daily Use (1x)	Daily Use (1-2x)	Daily Use (1x)
Average Consumer Rating	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.4/5	4.3/5

Cetaphil vs Cerave: Best exfoliator

When it comes to exfoliation, there are two types of exfoliants.

Physical and chemical.

Chemical exfoliants use acids such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid to remove the debris, dirt, and dead skin cells on the outermost layer of your skin.

This leaves you with newer, fresher looking skin.

Physical exfoliants use friction from some sort of scrub, brush, or sponge to remove debris and dead skin cells.

While both can work well, chemical exfoliants are known to be more controlled and even all around while physical exfoliants have the potential to irritate the skin from over-exfoliation.

For this round, Cerave has a chemical exfoliant.

Let’s get into that.

Best chemical exfoliant: Cerave SA renewing cleanser

Cerave’s renewing cleanser is considered a gentle chemical exfoliator due to the low concentration of salicylic acid.

This cleanser aims to remove oil and dirt, dead skin cells, and soften rough skin — without leaving you skin feeling dry.

Plus, the salicylic acid works well to fight off closed comedones and blackheads.

To no surprise, this formulation includes their signature ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide ingredients to ensure your skin doesn’t get stripped of it’s natural barrier.

It has a thicker texture and is very gel-like.

With thousands of happy skincare enthusiast reviews, this is an excellent entry into chemical exfoliants.

Best physical exfoliant: Cetaphil extra gentle daily scrub

Cetaphil’s exfoliant is considered a physical exfoliant which uses micro-fine particles to gently exfoliate your delicate skin.

This formula is gentle enough that you can use it every day and it is made to improve skin texture to reveal healthy glowing skin!

If you’re looking for a physical exfoliator, this one is definitely for you.

This exfoliator also has tons of positive reviews and is suitable for all skin types.

Product Name	Cerave SA Renewing Cleanser	Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub
Skin Type	Normal	All Skin Types
Key Ingredients	Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid	Vitamin E, Vitamin B5
Price	$10-$13	$7
Consistency	Gel To Foam	Gel With Ultra-Fine Microbeads
How Often To Use	Daily Use (1x)	Daily Use (1x)
Average Consumer Rating	4.5/5	4.3/5

Cerave vs Cetaphil: Best moisturizers

Cerave vs Cetaphil: Best facial moisturizer

When it comes to facial moisturizers, these two have some insanely solid options.

While both of these two moisturizers include hyaluronic acid which is crazy good for hydration, Cerave includes essential ceramides which really puts this moisturizer over the top!

Cerave’s moisturizer gets the slight edge once again, just because of the added ceramides which gives them the slight advantage in a facial moisturizer.

Cetaphil daily oil-free hydrating lotion with hyaluronic acid

To get started, this Cetaphil moisturizer is a great one when it comes to making sure your skin is moisturized throughout the day without clogging pores or causing any breakouts.

Further, this facial moisturizer is non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, and has no fragrance or parabens.

According to Cetaphil.com, the Cetaphil lotion is recommended for combination skin type, but can work well for any skin type such as acne prone skin and oily skin.

In addition, it can also be used under makeup without any issues (phew) or to treat common skin conditions such as dry skin.

Ingredient list: Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Homarine HCI, Sodium PCA, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Erythritol

With many quality natural ingredients, this is a still rock-solid moisturizer to go with.

Cerave daily moisturizing lotion

To start off, this Cerave moisturizing cream is one of the more popular moisturizers on the market for great reason.

Of course, Cerave’s moisturizer is lightweight and non-greasy — which is just the start of any great moisturizer.

Cerave uses their signature MVE technology which is a delivery system that allows this formula to release moisturizing ingredients continually for 24-hour hydration.

Plus, this Cerave moisturizer is also non-comedogenic (won’t cause acne), oil-free, and has no fragrance.

In addition to their hydrating cleanser, this moisturizer was also accepted by the national eczema association.

Ingredient breakdown: AQUA / WATER / EAU, GLYCERIN, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, DIMETHICONE, CETEARETH-20, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, DISODIUM EDTA, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, PROPYLPARABEN, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, POLYSORBATE 20, POLYGLYCERYL-3 DIISOSTEARATE

Product Name	Cerave Facial Moisturizing Lotion	Cetaphil daily oil-free hydrating lotion with hyaluronic acid
Skin Type	Normal, Dry	Combination
Key Ingredients	Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides	Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin
Price	$10	$12
Consistency	Lightweight Texture	Lightweight Texture
How Often To Use	Daily Use (1-2x)	Daily Use (1-2x)
Average Consumer Rating	4.7/5	4.4/5

Cerave vs Cetaphil: Best body moisturizer

These two brands go head to head when it comes to body moisturizers.

Which is better? We’re going to go with a tie.

Both of these moisturizing creams are made to soothe dry skin and lock in hydration — and they both do that perfectly.

In our opinion, both of these body lotion products are a great choice, and you’ll likely enjoy using whichever one you choose!

Cetaphil moisturizing cream

This Cetaphil moisturizing cream is totally on point for dry skin and dehydrated skin for your entire body.

The good thing is, this body lotion is made to moisturize for all 24-hours in a day to ensure that your skin is replenished all day long — while keeping a chic, matte finish.

Not to mention, this moisturizing cream is made to be used on body parts and it’s clinically proven to make a major difference in dry skin in just a single day without making you feel oily!

Instant relief sounds great, ya?

It’s important to note this Cetaphil moisturizer is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, has no fragrance, and paraben-free to ensure it’s safe for your skin.

Ingredient list: Water, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, PEG-30 Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Dimethiconol, Peg-5 Glyceryl Stearate Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil), Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid

This is overall a very promising ingredient breakdown for this Cetaphil’s cream!

Including ingredients such as tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) will really nourish and protect your skin’s ability to fight off free radicals.

With thousands of positive reviews on numerous websites and a price tage of barely $10, this product is an absolute steal!

Cerave moisturizing cream

Okay, we need to put you on to this little gem of skincare products.

Cerave moisturizing cream is suitable for dry and very dry skin on both the face and body without the oily feel.

Similar to Cerave’s other moisturizers, this product also includes their patented MVE technology which ensures continuous release of moisture throughout the day which is key for optimal skin function throughout your busy work day!

Cerave’s moisturizer contains the essential ceramides as well as hyaluronic acid which are extremely beneficial for your moisture barrier.

Along with their beneficial ingredients, Cerave also make sure it is fragrance free, free of parabens, and any other sketchy ingredients that stand any chance at irritating your precious visage.

Ingredient list: AQUA / WATER / EAU, GLYCERIN, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CETYL ALCOHOL, CETEARETH-20, PETROLATUM, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, DIMETHICONE, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, CHOLESTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, DISODIUM EDTA, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, TOCOPHEROL, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN

With all of these excellent nourishing ingredients, this is a perfect Cerave product to add to your skincare routine.

Product Name	Cerave Moisturizing Cream	Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
Skin Type	Dry, Very Dry	Very Dry, Sensitive
Key Ingredients	Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides	Vitamin E, Glycerin
Price	$15	$12-$17
Consistency	Nourishing Cream	Nourishing Cream
How Often To Use	Daily Use (1-2x)	Daily Use (1-2x)
Average Consumer Rating	4.7/5	4.5/5

Cetaphil vs Cerave: Best SPF moisturizer

Looking for a lil’ sun protection and moisturizer combo?

Both of these products hit it out of the park with this one!

With very similar purposes and tons of positive reviews for both products, we can clearly say that they are both very quality for moisturizing your skin and having that added skin protection.

There’s no going wrong with either choice. Trust us.

Cetaphil daily facial moisturizer SPF 35

This Cetaphil product is simply amazing because it is a moisturizer that contains SPF which means it’ll both protect your skin from the sun while also keeping your skin nourished!

When you’re looking for a sunscreen that is effective, find one with broad spectrum which protects against both UVA and UVB rays — which this sunscreen absolutely does!

Not to mention, Cetaphil added vitamin E, vitamin B5 & B3, to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier as well as a blend of antioxidants which prevent surface free-radical damage.

As always, this product is hypoallergenic and formulated to not clog pores or irritate your skin.

It also won’t leave much of a noticeable white cast.

In our opinion, this is one of the best products from Cetaphil, and you can’t go wrong with this.

This products works for all skin types including oily skin, dry skin, and sensitive skin.

Ingredient list: Octinoxate 7.5%, , Octocrylene 7%, Oxybenzone 6%, Titanium Dioxide 5.7%, Octisalate 5%, Purified Water, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Vinylpirolidone/Eicosene Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate (and/et) PEG-100 Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dimethiconol, Methylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Cetyl Alcohol, Ethylparaben, Carbomer Copolymer Type B, Disodium EDTA, Triethanolamine, Tocopheol/Soya oil, Xanthan Gum, Fil 0456

This product can be found for around $15 at your local drugstore and is an excellent choice.

Cerave AM facial moisturizing lotion SPF 30

Cerave created a cult-favorite with this one.

By combining SPF with a moisturizer, you can comfortably wear your moisturizer out and be confident that you won’t come home with a mean sunburn!

Cerave’s moisturizer is so many people’s favorite just because of the added benefits from ingredients such as niacinamide which helps calm the skin and reduce redness.

Per ususal for Cerave, they included essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid as well to keep your pores nice and happy.

When you combine niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides in one product… your skin will be jumping for joy.

This moisturizer works for all skin types, whether you have oily skin, dry skin, or sensitive skin.

It works well following exfoliants to help protect your skin and replenish the skin barrier.

Ingredient list: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: HOMOSALATE (10%), MERADIMATE (5%), OCTINOXATE (5%), OCTOCRYLENE (2%),  ZINC OXIDE  (6.3%)

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, NIACINAMIDE, GLYCERIN, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, DIMETHICONE, BHT, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, DISODIUM EDTA, PROPYLPARABEN, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, XANTHAN GUM

This Cerave product can be found for around $15 and has tons of positive reviews from many different sources.

Product Name	Cerave AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30	Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 35
Skin Type	All Skin Types	Sensitive
Key Ingredients	SPF, Niacinamide	Vitamin E & B5, SPF
Price	$15	$15
Consistency	Lightweight Cream	Lightweight Cream
How Often To Use	Daily Use (1-2x)	Daily Use (1-2x)
Average Consumer Rating	4.3/5	4.2/5

Cetaphil vs Cerave: Best hydrating serum

When it comes to serums, Cerave offers more products to choose from than Cetaphil.

However, they both have awesome products to treat different skin needs.

Both of these hydrating serums are top notch. No doubt about it.

In addition, both of them have the all star ingredient of hyaluronic acid.

Plus, they also have other nice additions such as vitamin b5 which has anti-inflammatory properties.

If we had to give one brand the edge here, it would be Cetaphil — only because their product promises 48 hour hydration compared to Cerave’s 24 hour hydration.

Cerave hydrating hyaluronic acid serum

Cerave’s hydrating hyaluronic acid serum is perfect to help restore and maintain your skin barrier to keep your skin moisturized all day long.

This product contains their signature ceramides as well as their patented MVE moisture releasing technology.

Cerave claims that 90% of users felt their skin was intensely hydrated immediately after the first use. After 4 weeks, users say their skin texture improved and was smoother.

Ingredients: AQUA / WATER, GLYCERIN, CETEARYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, DIMETHICONE, AMMONIUM POLYACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, PANTHENOL, CERAMIDE NP, CERAMIDE AP, CERAMIDE EOP, CARBOMER, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE, CHOLESTEROL, PHENOXYETHANOL, DISODIUM EDTA, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CITRIC ACID, XANTHAN GUM, PHYTOSPHINGOSINE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN

Cetaphil deep hydration 48 hour activation serum

Cetaphil’s hydrating serum is meant to have lasting hydration while also improving the overall quality of sensitive skin.

In fact, this product has all the benefits that Cetaphil promises when it comes to treating sensitive skin and it contains plenty of antioxidants such as vitamin E to soothe the skin.

Even though it provides so much moisture, it is said to be a very light-weight serum that doesn’t make your skin feel greasy!

Ingredients: WATER, GLYCERIN, SORBITOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE/CAPRATE, GLYCERYL CITRATE/LACTATE/LINOLEATE/OLEATE, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, OCTYLDODECANOL, HEXYLDECANOL, HEXYLDECYL LAURATE, DISTARCH PHOSPHATE, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, ANHYDROXYLITOL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII(SHEA)OIL, CITRIC ACID, DICAPRYLYL CARBONATE, DISODIUM COCOYL GLUTAMATE, GLOBULARIAALYPUM LEAF EXTRACT(BLUE DAISY), HYDROLYZED HYALURONIC ACID, PANTHENOL(VITAMIN B5), PANTOLACTONE, FRAGRANCE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E), TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E ACETATE), XYLITOL, XYLITYLGLUCOSIDE

Product Name	Cerave Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum	Cetaphil Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum
Skin Type	Normal, Dry	Sensitive
Key Ingredients	Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramides	Hyaluronic Acid, Sunflower Seed Oil
Price	$17	$17
Consistency	Gel-Cream	Lightweight Gel
How Often To Use	Daily Use (1x)	Daily Use (1x)
Average Consumer Rating	4.0/5	4.1/5

Cerave extended

While these are the most comparable products in the Cerave vs Cetaphil battle, it’s important to note that both companies have products that are different as well that can really help your skin concerns more directly.

Cerave has an entire line of products (not just face wash) that are suitable for people who have acne prone skin.

This line is extremely popular and has been recommended by many dermatologists.

Includes:

• Cerave SA body wash for rough & bumpy skin: This is a body wash made for body acne which can also treat texture, blackheads, dead skin cells, etc.
• Cerave SA cream for rough & bumpy skin: This salicylic acid cream improves skin texture and clear dead skin cells.
• Cerave SA lotion for rough & bumpy skin: This moisuturizes your skin while providing SA to clear debris and dead skin cells in your pores. It’s very suitable for those with acne prone skin.

Cerave also includes products specially made for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema:

• Cerave psoriasis cleanser: This cleanser is made for psoriasis and includes salicylic acid.
• Cerave diabetics’ dry skin relief: This is a hydrating diabetics skin cleanser.

Anti-Aging line:

• Cerave resurfacing retinol serum: A crowd favorite retinol. This serum reduces wrinkles and resurfaces skin.
• Cerave skin renewing vitamin C serum: This serum brightens skin tone and contains antioxidants.
• Cerave skin renewing retinol serum: This serum is made for anti-aging and diminishing fine lines.
• Cerave eye repair cream: This eye cream is perfect to get rid of dark circles around the eye area.

Cetaphil extended list

Cetaphil also has other products that target specific skin concerns more directly.

These Cetaphil products all do an amazing job and they’re definitely worth looking at as well.

Products for redness:

• Cetaphil night cream for redness prone skin: A rich night cream that improves skin texture and soothes skin to reduce redness.
• Cetaphil redness prone face wash: This face wash aims to clean the skin while keeping it balanced and nourished to reduce redness.
• Cetaphil daily facial moisturizer for redness prone skin: A daily moisturizer that nourishes the skin during the day which includes SPF 20 protection.

Anti-Aging/Skin Boosters:

• Cetaphil deep hydration refreshing eye serum: Eye serum that reduces dark circles effectively with no irritation.
• Cetaphil deep hydration healthy glow daily face cream: Intensive moisturizer that leaves skin’s barrieres. soft, supple, and glowy.
• Cetaphil purifying clay mask: Clean and minimizes pores while exfoliating away dead skin cells for overall improved skin texture and tone.
• Cetaphil hydrating eye gel-cream: Infused with aloe vera, this cream soothes your eye area.

Cerave vs Cetaphil: Are they cruelty-free?

Let’s get this straight.

Both Cetaphil and Cerave are currently NOT cruelty-free because they test new products on animals.

Cerave has recently become cruelty-free in the UK but are still doing animal testing in their other locations which keeps them considered cruelty.

If this is important to you, we have a few brand alternatives that are just as good and completely cruelty-free!

Alternatives to Cerave or Cetaphil

Acure

Acure is a skincare brand that is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

This company produces very quality products that are also affordable.

From face washes and serums, to moisturizers and creams, this brand has it all and it can often be found at your local drugstore.

Bliss

Bliss is another skincare brand that is almost 100% vegan and cruelty-free.

Most of their products are vegan with the exception of some products that contain beeswax or honey.

This brand also has very affordable price points while delivering extremely quality products!

So… Cetaphil or Cerave?

When it comes down to Cetaphil vs Cerave, either one is a good option.

While Cetaphil was getting a bad name for a while, there’s no definitive evidence that claims they have bad products and many people swear by their skincare products.

In our opinion, Cerave’s products are the best choice when it comes to their ingredient lists and really includes key ingredients (such as 3 types of ceramides) that give your skin exactly what it needs to live it’s best life!

Sometimes it might be a little bit confusing trying to decide on which product to get, especially if both brands have a product that claims to do the job.

Our advice is to just go with your gut and give one of them a try instead of taking a long time and making your skin wait.

See the results and change if you have to, but you can’t go wrong with either decision.

But creating a solid overall routine is going to make the biggest difference when it comes to clearing up acne and revealing glowing skin.

Doing this first will make these products so much more effective and efficient.

What may work for someone else’s skin may not work for yours — and vice versa.

Once you find your holy grail skincare products, you’ll be set!

No more going into drugstores and standing around all day trying to decide which brand to go with.

At the end of the day, the Cerave vs Cetaphil battle is going to be determined by you and your skin.

What works for your skin the best will always be the right choice for you!

Cerave vs Cetaphil FAQ

Sources

1. https://www.cerave.com (Cerave’s website)
2. https://www.cetaphil.com (Cetaphil’s website)l