Both brands count with a large portfolio of well reviewed skin care products, with high tech treatments for different skin concerns. You can find them in most drugstores around the world, and they are so similar that everybody is confused about which one they should choose.
Cerave Vs Cetaphil: What’s THE DIFFeRENCE?
Theoretically, both Cetaphil and Cerave cleansers are gentle on skin and contain simpler formulas, but the rule of thumb is:
- Cetaphil is specialized in sensitive skin
- Cerave is specialized in dry skin and hydration
This makes sense because Cerave has more hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and 3 types of ceramides, while Cetaphil’s main actor is Glycerine which is effective on protection, restoration and skin cicatrization.
Down Below you have a quick comparison table.
| Cerave | Cetaphil |
|---|---|
| More hydrating ingredients | More basic ingredients |
| Has ceramides | Has Glycerin |
| Great for Dry skin | Greater for sensitive skin and for redness |
| Fragrance-Free | May contain fragrance |
In my opinion, there weren’t significant differences in results on my skin. They are both hydrating and good quality products. There are differences however on texture, smell, and how I felt while applying these Products.
For example, I noticed that Cerave’s creams were better absorbed by the skin and not sticky, which feels more comfortable than Cetaphil’s cream that are a bit sticky. On the other hand, I loved Cetaphil’s face and body cleanser because of its texture.
Note: Nowadays, both lines expanded and created a series of products for oily skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, etc.
Read also: Simple Skincare Routine Guide [All Skin Types]
Is Cerave Or Cetaphil Better?
Most people prefer Cerave over Cetaphil for products such as moisturizers, lotions and some cleansers, because of its hydration properties. From my research, most people with dry skin reported to prefer Cerave.
For those with sensitive, normal and oily skin, the opinions are divided but you still find most people will prefer Cerave. If you have a tendency to experience dryness of any degree, then I believe Cerave is better, especially for the face.
If you are dealing with redness and irritation you can use Cetaphil to calm the skin down.
Let’s dive deep into each product category. But before we get started, let me just talk briefly about both brands so you can have a better understanding.
Read Also: How to layer Skincare: What order to apply?
ABOUT CERAVE
Three Essential Ceramides
Ceramides work like glue that holds your skin cell together, leaving the skin’s natural protective barrier rebounded, and consequently moisturized and protected. Cerave combines 3 types of essential ceramides (ceramides 1, 3, e 6-II), that are identical to the ones that are in our skin.
Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) Delivery Technology
All products from the line counts with the Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) technology, that retains and releases ceramides gradually onto the skin, providing hydrated skin barrier for longer.
Read Also: How To Build A Skincare Routine With The Ordinary Guide
ABOUT CETAPHIL
Cetaphil on the other hand started out as a gentle skincare solution for sensitive skin types. (On their website, Cetaphil states they are specialized in sensitive skin).
They have a pH level that regulates skin’s acid-alkaline balance, meaning that if it is too oily or too dry, you will be able to have more balanced skin.
On their website, I didn’t find clear information on their key ingredient as we can find on Cerave’s website.
But by checking some of their product lists, it is possible to see that glycerine is highly used as a key ingredient.
Glycerin is a great humectant that hydrates and provides protection from skin irritants. It is also great to accelerate skin healing and cicatrization.
Cerave Vs Cetaphil Comparison
In the next lines, I’m sharing with you my review and personal opinion after testing both Cerave and Cetaphil products for more than six months. I have also done qualitative research to give you a general overview of what most people will prefer.
Cleansers Comparison
Both brands contain products for all skin types and promise cleansing face and body without drying them out. There are many options to choose from, and for better results, it’s important to pick the right product, according to your needs.
Cerave Facial Cleansers
All cleansers from Cerave contain three essential ceramides that lock moisture and help restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Their products also contain niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, a great combination for hydration and skin texture.
Read Also: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Review
Top Foaming Cleansers / Face Washing
Foaming washing cleansing perfect for oily acne-prone skin for deep cleansing without drying the skin out. Here they are:
- Foaming gel cleanser for normal to oily skin
- Creamy foaming face wash for normal-to-dry skin
- Foaming 4% benzoyl peroxide acne face wash
- Soap-free cleansing bar for normal to oily skin
Top Gel cleansers
Cerave’s gel cleansers are for normal to oily skin, treating excess of oil and skin texture. Here they are:
- Foaming gel cleanser for normal to oily skin
- Renewing SA gentle skin cleanser exfoliation for normal skin to get rid of dead skin cells
- Gel-to-foam salicylic acid acne face wash
Top Cream Facial Cleansers
Many people with dry skin tend to prefer cream facial cleansers as they tend to add a touch of extra moisture. Those products go really well with acne prone skin as well.
- Creamy foaming face wash for normal-to-dry skin
- Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
- Hydrating cleanser bar mild soap-free bar cleanser for dry to normal skin
- Sa cleanser bar for rough & bumpy skin soap-free bar cleanser for rough & bumpy skin
Top Makeup Removers
- Hydrating makeup remover cleansing balm
- Comforting eye makeup remover
- Hydrating plant based makeup remover wipes
- Gently hydrating toner
- Hydrating micellar water
Cerave Body Cleansers
Cerave advises you to use their body cleansers in order to prepare your skin to receive their lotions and moisturizers. Their function is to protect the skin and help the products to get better absorbed, potentializing hydration and soothness.
All cleansers are hydrating and some of them are also exfoliating, and counts with ceramides, salicylic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid that treats your skin while cleansing.
Body Cleansers
- Hydrating cleanser bar mild soap-free bar cleanser for dry to normal skin
- SA cleanser bar for rough & bumpy skin soap-free bar cleanser for rough & bumpy skin
- SA body wash for rough & bumpy skin
- Soothing body wash for very dry skin
- Psoriasis body wash with salicylic acid
- Hydrating diabetics skin cleanser
- Foaming body wash for normal to dry skin
Cetaphil Cleansers
There are huge options for all skin types, including clay purifying masks and makeup remover. Here some of options that are available:
- Daily Facial Cetaphil cleanser
- Daily Facial Cleanser Fragrance Free
- Gentle Skin Cleanser
- Hydrating Foaming Cream Cleanser
- Extra Gentle Daily Scrub
- DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash
- DermaControl Purifying Clay Mask
- Foaming Face Wash for Redness Prone Skin
- Healthy Radiance Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser
- Gentle Skin Cleansing Cloths
- Moisturizing Relief Body Wash
- Ultra Gentle Body Wash Skin Soothing
In this section Let’s talk about:
- Facial Cleansers: Designed Only for the face
- Face and body cleansers: Body washers that are for the entire body including the face
I tried the Cetaphil facial cleanser and the Cerave cleansing gel, which are very similar in texture, how it feels on the skin, and they both feel almost the same after washing. However, I felt Cerave’s cleanser was more hydrating than Cetaphil’s cleanser.
The Winner: Cerave Cleansing Gel
After testing these products (for more than 6 months), the winner is the Cerave Cleansing Gel.
This is solely because it doesn’t leave my skin feeling so tight after washing. I can feel my sensitive skin was clean, hydrated and purified.
My Review: Cetaphil Cleanser
Cetaphil’s cleanser key ingredient is glycerin which acts as a humectant, so you should expect your face to be hydrated afterward.
And this is not only for dry skin and sensitive skin, but it is supposed to clean and deliver hydration.
However, I didn’t feel my skin was hydrated. In fact, I felt it left my sensitive skin tight after washing.
It says it controls oil without drying skin out, which was not the case for my sensitive skin. Yes, It controlled skin oils, but my sensitive skin felt tight.
However, it doesn’t irritate, nor cause acne on my sensitive skin, which I have seen happening with other brands.
It doesn’t lather that much, and it is not so easy to wash off as it is stated on the package.
This is a mix of feelings because I have oily sensitive skin and while trying to rinse this cleanser out I felt that I had to wash it many times, but after pat drying my face, it feels dry and tight.
Ironically, I ended up using it to wash my hands (with good results), as I was having allergic reactions with another soap and my hand skin responded well to it. I felt it restored my skin barrier on the hand.
Read Full Review Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser Review | Is It Good?
My Review: Cerave Gel Cleanser
Targets: Normal, Oily & Sensitive SKin
As I mentioned before, Cerave Gel Cleanser is almost identical to Cetaphil’s cleanser. But we know Cerave contains 3 types of ceramides plus hyaluronic acid which makes us expect it to be the most hydrating above all.
Plus, it will maintain skin’s natural moisture barrier, and it is also good for sensitive skin and oily skin. And one thing I noticed, is that Cerave cleanser gel doesn’t leave my face as tight as Certaphil’s cleanser.
As I mentioned before, Cerave Gel Cleanser is almost identical to Cetaphil’s cleanser. But we know Cerave contains 3 types of ceramides plus hyaluronic acid which makes us expect it to be the most hydrating above all.
Plus, it will maintain skin’s natural moisture barrier, and it is also good for sensitive skin and oily skin. And one thing I noticed, is that Cerave cleanser gel doesn’t leave my face as tight as Certaphil’s cleanser.
Keep On Reading: Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser Review | Is It Good?
The Cons
I am stating here the cons of both products, as the complaints are quite similar.
I know there is a value to cleansing cosmetics that don’t lather as they tend to be less abrasive / harsh on skin.
But I have seen products out there that lather and are still gentle on sensitive skin.
One great example is the cetaphil face and body cleanser which we will talk about later.
I have also experienced great results with vichy soap which lathers and doesn’t dry my face out.
Both Cetaphil and Cerave’s facial cleansers I tested don’t lather that much, which makes me use more product.
Because if I don’t do that, I simply feel the skin is not cleansed enough.
I know it may be only my impression, but I know there are people out there, who are not used to cosmetics that don’t lather.
A second point that I didn’t like was how it was not so easy to rinse out the soap while washing.
The Final Verdict: Is it worth it?
In the end Cerave delivered a better result, but if you ask if I will purchase them again, I’d say no.
I am not saying these are bad products, in fact I have to state that cerave was pretty decent.
The reason for that is that I have been using the Vichy Facial Soap Bar and I am truly in love with it for the moment and recommend it for sensitive skin.
Cerave Vs Cetaphil Cleansing Bars
Cerave has three cleansing bar options, while cetaphil has to options. Down below you can find a list of the products that are available so far:
| Cerave | Cetaphil |
|---|---|
| SA Cleansing Bar for Rough & Bumpy Skin | Gentle Cleansing Bar |
| Hydrating Cleansing Bar | Deep Clansing Bar |
| Foaming Cleansing Bar | - |
It is not clear to my if the cerave bars are suitable for the face. You can probably use them on your face but I guess it is more directed for the body usage.
Cetaphil’s gentle and deep cleansers on the other hand clearly indicate that they can be used on the body and your face. This is important because some body cleansers are harsh on the face, which can cause break out.
Which One To Choose?
If you intend to use the soap on your face, I’d recommend using cetaphil cleansing bar, which is still very hydrating. You can choose between the gentle and the deep cleansging. So, if you are waking up in the morning, the best option is the gentle cleansing while the deep option is better for night routines.
If you are looking for a body cleanser, people tend to prefer cerave over cetaphil.
Cerave Vs Cetaphil Acne Cleansers
When you suffer from acne it can be a pain to find a cleanser that is gentle and powerful enough to keep your skin cleansed and protected at the same time, without striping it out.
Cetaphil and Cerave counts with two options that may be interesting for you, they are the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser and the Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser.
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser vs Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser
| CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser | Cetaphil Gentle Clear Clarifying Acne Cream Cleanser |
|---|---|
| Contains Salycic Acid, three ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, Enriched with antioxidant vitamin D | Contains Salycic Acid,soothing aloe and white tea extract |
| Exfoliating Gel | cream-to-lather formula |
| Face and body | For the face but not clear if it’s also for the body |
| Deep cleansing | Deep cleansing |
| Exfoliates, restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, retains the skin’s natural moisture, gelps calm skin | Defends against 5 signs of skin sensitivity including dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier |
Which One Is better?
If you take a look at the ingredients, cerave contains more hydrating ingreeditents than cerave. Another positive point is that this Cerave’s cleanser is ideal for face and body which provides a full body protection, as some people may suffer from acne on their backs and butts.
Face & Body Cleansers
If you have only had shower with normal soaps, switching to cerave and cetaphil are a bomb. They will offer a whole new experience in terms of body washers.
Here are the links for the full reviews:
- Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Review (Face & Body) Is It Good?
- Cetaphil Body Wash Review: Is It Good? #Skincarejournal
I can tell you hurry up and get one of those body cleansers because you won’t leave your shower feeling less than great.
Both products cerave and cetaphil are phenomenal and I will explain in detail why.
But in the end, results are quite similar in terms of hydration on a long term so the differences are more likely to present themselves on the first impressions. Here’s why I loved these products.
Similarities that I love
I can use just one product to wash my face and body without worrying about my face being dry afterwards. It saves me time and is more practical.
Apart from that, here’s what I noticed:
- My skin felt extremely hydrated since the minute I applied it
- It feels great while spreading the products on the skin
- While I dried my skin it felt soft and hydrated, it was incredible
- After shower I felt fresh for a very long time. I have never felt like that before with other products
Read Full review: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Review (Face & Body) Is It Good?
I confess that I was one of these people who preferred using a separate facial cleanser just for the face and another one for the body.
Button line is that since I tried out cerave and cetaphil face and body cleansers, I changed my mind.
I have tried many facial cleansers, like Chanel, lancome, MAC and none of these high end products made my skin feel like cerave or cetaphil did.
Also tried many body washers including bioderma and lancome but I confess that cerave and cetaphil are way better.
From now on, I am not going to spend that much money anymore on high end brands, because these two are just great.
The best I have tried so far.
Now, you must be asking, which one is better, cerave or cetaphil?
Or at least you may be expecting me to pick up a winner, right? Let’s talk about that now.
Read Also: Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid And Niacinamide Together?
What’s the Difference?
This is indeed a tough question, because in the end both products are very hydrating. That being said, let’s talk about their main differences.
Firstly, in terms of texture, Cetaphil’s cleanser is more consistent than Cerave’s cleanser, while cerave is lighter.
For example, cetaphil has a thicker texture and foams a lot, and cerave a miky less consistent that doesn’t lather.
This means that cetaphil is easier and more enjoyable to spread onto skin than cerave.
In terms of smell, Cerave has a strange smell, I compared it with a light crocoroat smell.
But the smell will disappear after washing is over.
Cerave on its turn has no smell whatsoever, at least I didn’t feel anything.
What’s the winner?
This is the toughest question, but there will be a winner with no significant difference.
If you like and feel better using a soap that lathers then you will feel more comfortable with Cetaphil.
Now, if you prefer a soap that doesn’t lather and with no smell at all, go for Cerave.
I am one of those people who love to feel the foaming so I’d prefer Cetaphil’s cleanser.
I think, in my opinion, that cerave body and face cleanser would be a great product for morning showers, while cetaphil for an evening shower.
This is for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, I have a slight impression and feeling that Cetaphil’s cleanser is gentle yet powerful enough to wash off the day.
Take a look: Cetaphil Body Wash Review: Is It Good? #Skincarejournal
While I had this feeling that cerave brings a freshness and lightness to have my body fresh and clean after sleep.
In other words, I had the feeling that Cerave’s face and body washer is much lighter (or not so strong) than Cetaphil.
Plus, Cerave won’t remove my makeup as I wish. Cetaphil would be better.
But for both products, it is advisable to apply makeup remover before washing your face.
Now, let’s take an example of what happened to me a few weeks ago.
Here is what happened.
We are in the middle of the pandemic and even though my skin tends to be oily on the face, it was getting really dry on my body and hands.
I mean extremely dry, because I was having showers every time I went out and got back home.
If I went out 4 times, I would wash my entire body 4 times on the return home.
Not to mention how many times I washed my hand every time I touched something I was getting nuts.
To make things worse I cleaned the house without wearing gloves, which made my hand really irritated due to the detergent.
My skin is sensitive by nature but my hands were so dry that it was getting really painful.
I started washing my hands with the cetaphil face/body and I could feel an instant relief.
Right after washing I applied the cetaphil body and face moisturizing lotion and it was balm.
My skin was painful and I noticed results and got better within 24 hours.
My skin was still dry for a few days but the pain was gone.
For the sake of this article, I also used the same correspondent products from Cerave, the results were amazing as well.
The difference in results? There was none.
However, I noticed differences in product texture and smell. Like I explained above.
The Verdict On Cleansers
If you ask me to choose just one product, I have an answer. It was not easy but here we go.
I picked Cetaphil cleanser for the face and body, even though I didn’t love the smell.
Here’s what I love about face and body:
- The texture which is creamy and firm
- How it laters and spreads on my body
- The fresh feeling during and after shower
- Skin gets so soft
- I can use it on my face, I prepare this one over any facial cleanser I’ve tried so far
Does this mean I didn’t like Cerave?
I did, but you asked to pick one and this is the one I had a luxury feeling afterwards.
Also I love a little bit of lather and the idea of having an amazing product for the face and body saves me time and money.
But Both will make your skin feel great, I have no doubts about that.
Read also: Korean Skincare Routine Steps For Glowy Stunning Skin
Moisturizers Comparison
Both cetaphil and cerave conts with a variety of moisturizers. Here’s the list of the different types of moisturizers that we’ll compare:
- Eye Moisturizer
- Facial Moisturizers
- Body Moisturizers
- Lotions
- Creams
- Face & Body Moisturizers
Cerave Eye Repair Cream vs Cetaphil Eye Gel-Cream
Which Eye Cream Is Better?
In my opinion, after testing these products for three weeks, I think that Cetaphil Eye Cream worked better for me, for the following reasons:
- More hydrating
- Didn’t sensitize my skin
- Easier to apply
Related Reading: How To Take Care Of Skin Under Eyes [Easy Guide]
My Review: Cerave Eye Repair Cream
The Cerave Eye Repair cream has a very thick texture and it looks like a normal facial cream. In fact, I found it to be thicker than many facial creams out there.
In my opinion, it should be a bit lighter to facilitate the application under the sensitive eye area, and I can tell you why I think this.
For example, my skin is very sensitive, and sometimes, it can be a bit dry under the eyes so. On top of that, the minimal friction can make it even more sensitive.
Also, every time I apply too much product under my eyes, the condition gets even worse, so I need to apply a very thin layer.
Long story short, I find it to be too thick for my under-eye area, and despite all the vitamins and cool ingredients, it dried out my skin and I had to stop using it.
So, if you have very sensitive skin, you can make your conclusions.
My Review: Cetaphil Eye Gel-Cream
The Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel is another great product you will be amazed how it can restore under eyes skin.
Especially if your skin is extremely sensitive in the area, it reduces redness and improves skin texture as well.
If you are experiencing flakness in the area, it will make your skin get better again and you will see results pretty quickly.
I have heard some people saying skin improved only 24 hours after the first application.
Texture
The texture is serum like and it is very light weight, smooth and has no scent.
It doesn’t burn and the skin feels really hydrated. If you have sensitive skin, you could try this out.
But in case you feel any allergic reaction, you should suspend the use immediately.
The composition (Key Ingredients)
Cerave hydrating Eye gel contains great key ingredients such as Licorice extract, hyaluronic acid and bisabolol.
We have talked already that hyaluronic acid improves skin moisture and prevents water loss.
Licorice extract has anti-inflammatory benefits. Is also great for skin lightening and anti-aging.
Bisabolol soothes irritated skin and protects the skin from free radicals as well.
It is anti-irritant and anti-aging, so your skin is too sensitive, maybe this one is a good one to test out.
The Cetaphil Eye Gel-Cream was more gentle on my skin. I loved the gel-cream texture which was easy to apply.
I have to be honest here and say that the Cetaphil Eye Gel-Cream is not my favorite option for under eye area, but it was ok, at least it did not irritate my skin.
However, I have not noticed significant improvements.
Cerave Moisturizers Comparison Table
| Moisturising Cream | Moisturising Lotion | AM Facial Moisturising Lotion | Ultra Light Moisturizing Lotion | SA Smoothing Cream |
| Dry to Very Dry Skin | Dry to Very Dry Skin | Normal to Dry Skin | Normal to Oily Skin | Dry, Rough, Bumpy Skin |
| – | – | SPF25 | SPF30 | – |
Cetaphil Moisturizers Comparison Table
| Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream | Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion | Cetaphil Daily Defence Face Moisturiser with SPF 50+ | Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser | Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion |
| Dry Sensitive Skin | Dry Sensitive Skin | Sensitive Skin | Sensitive Skin | Dry Sensitive Skin |
| SPF50+ |
Cerave Vs Cetaphil Creams and Lotions
Once again we have a pool of options and with time, I will update these sections with more products.
For now, let’s start talking about facial products.
Pretty much as I said for the cleansers, both cerave and cetaphil have three types of creams and lotions:
- Face & Body creams and lotions
- Just for the face
- Just for the body
And we are going to talk about them in detail but in sum, I found the face and body products very interesting.
And to my surprise, I liked them better than facial moisturizers.
Let’s take a look at some popular options
Cetaphil Acne Control Facial Moisturizer With SPF 30
I bought the Cetaphil Acne Control Facial Moisturizer With SPF 30, because it is dedicated to oily skin and acne control.
Straight away I can tell you that I didn’t love this one.
The reason was that it feels too heavy and thick and my skin looks extra shiny.
However I use it as a sunscreen when I go out for my walks on the beach and this is working pretty well.
When I go on my walks without sunscreen I can immediately feel it.
The day after my skin looks rough and the texture gets strange I can’t explain.
The reason I say that the Cetaphil AC control with SPF 30 works is that when I use it, my skin looks fine when I get sun exposure.
I believe that the acne control may work as well because I had two pinpoints which softened and got better.
I just apply a lot of it to go out for my walk on the beach and it really looks and smells like sunscreen.
However, to be very honest with you, I would not use it under makeup or to stay indoors all day, because this is just too thick.
Final Verdict
I didn’t waste my money by purchasing these products, and I found different utilities for each one of them.
Read Full Review: Cetaphil Acne Prone Moisturizer SPF 30 Review
Here is my routine look like at the moment, based on what I have picked:
- Cetaphil Face & Body Cleansing Lotion for my face and body
- Cetaphil Face & Body Moisturizer for for my face and body, which I use when I am not under too much sun exposure
- For go out for my daily beach walks I use cetaphil AC control SPF 30
- At night I use Cerave PM lotion
And this routine feels just perfect and for me, one of the best combinations for the moment.
Cerave Facial Moisturizer PM
I am talking about the Cerave Moisturizer PM but I will still try the Cerave AM facial moisturizing.
But it’s ok because for the day I am using the Cetaphils Body and Face and for going out I am using Cetaphil Acne control.
More about the Cetaphil Acne Control later. But if you have normal and dry skin bare with me because what I have to say serves for you too.
I am planning to test Cerave AM facial moisturizing too just because I love the Cetaphil Lotion PM.
Before I go bad, I have a shower, wash my face, apply serum and then I use the PM lotion.
The reason I love it is because of the texture and how it feels on the skin.
This is not sticky, lightweight, my skin absorbs it and feels super, super soft.
Normally when going to sleep I don’t care about shine control but this cream doesn’t even make my skin really shiny.
I highly recommend it if you are looking for a night cream that is great and not too heavy.
You can use it even if you have oily, dry or sensitive skin you will find great results.
Here’s what it did to my skin:
- Improved my skin texture
- Skin got softer and look healthier
- Even noticed skin looks more relaxed
Cerave Vs Cetaphil’s Face & Body Lotion / Moisturizer
I tried both Cerave and Cetaphil Moisturizers for face & body. I have also asked my mom to try them out and tell me what she thought.
To be super on point, we liked the Cetaphil’s face and body cream better than Cerave’s correspondent.
We both agreed that skin gets way more softer, with Cetaphils formula, which is more lightweight.
Cerave’s texture is really thick, and it is pretty similar to Cetaphil’s body (only) moisturizing cream.
Maybe if your skin is extremely dry and if you like and are used to very thick textured creams, you might like it.
Oftentimes, extremely thick creams feel sticky so I don’t really like the sensation.
Another important note is that strangely enough carave’s face and body cream gave me acne.
Which didn’t happen with cetaphils face and body cream, which I loved.
So if you have acne prone skin, do not use cerave moisturizer for face and body.
Another thing I’d like to highlight is that my hand skin was really dry and It got extremely nourished after 2 weeks of using this Cetaphil’s moisturizer.
Cetaphil Face & Body Lotion
I loved the Cetaphil’s face and body lotion, but I use it with caution.
This is because if I apply too much, my skin will feel sticky for a long time.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like when my skin feels sticky.
That’s why in the first moment I applied it, because I exaggerated, I thought I would not like it.
But soon enough I noticed how easy this cream is to spread on the body, and you don’t even need too much.
Once I got the hang of it, I could only say a word. FABULOUS.
The best part and which surprised me a lot, I loved using this cream as a facial moisturizer.
In fact I prefer it on my face over other facial creams, including the cetaphils cream, which we’ll talk about later.
Here’s why I loved the Cetaphils face and body Lotion:
- Extremely gentle
- Spreads really well on the body
- My skin feels super soft. I even can’t stop hubbing my legging onto one another ahaha yes it feels that amazing!
- Just need a little bit and it is enough to entire body including face
- My hands were so dry and looked restored after 3 days of use
- I noticed a visible improvement on my facial skin texture in less than a week of use
- It reduced two acne spots that were bothering me
Cerave Face & Body Moisturizer
My skin can be dry on my body and oily on my face and this product worked fine for my body but gave me acne on the face.
I have to give it a discount, because this product is not designed for oily skin, though.
But this serves for you, if you have acne prone skin (be oily or dry) it is better to pay attention.
The Cerave’s face and body moisturizer is very thick and it feels sticky.
Sometimes the trick to apply only a little bit of product may help not feeling sticky afterwards but it didn’t work in this case.
On the other hand, the good thing about this product is that with a tiny bit you can cover a lot of your body, which is very economical.
In terms of hydration, I felt my skin was hydrated indeed, despite the feeling of stickiness.
Some people are not so bothered by that, so if this is your case, you can go ahead and buy it because it does its job.
Cetaphil Body Moisturizer
I also tested the Cetaphil Body moisturizer, which in this case is only for the body (not for the face).
This one is very similar to Cerave’s face & body and I will repeat myself here while describing this product.
It has a super thick consistency which I personally don’t like because it feels sticky.
I am not saying all thick creams will make your skin feel sticky, but in this particular case, it does.
Pretty much as cerave’s face and body, a little bit of the product is enough for the entire body, so this product is also very economical.
In terms of hydration, the final result is exactly the same as the Cerave’s face and body.
It does its job by hydrating my body, skin and feet. You can feel they are hydrated.
But there is the stickiness problem which is not really a problem but if I could choose I prefer other options that don’t do that.
Which One is better & Final Verdict
Definitely, the winner in the category of moisturizers and lotions is the Cetaphil Face and Body. It is very efficient, hydrating and leaves the skin super soft. My skin got so soft I was amazed.
But it’s not only about softness and smoothness which are great, but I had real hydrating and repairing results.
In addition, It is very handy to have one unique product to be used on the face and the body.
Cerave Vs Cetaphil Sunscreens & SPF
Till this moment I wrote this post, Cerave counts with eleven products that contains SPF protection, while Cetaphil has nine. Some of these products are actual sunscreens and some are moisturizers that contains sunscreen.
Which one To Choose?
If you are going out and need something get protected for the day but won’t lie on the beach, you can opt for the moisturizers that contains sunscreen. If you are intending to go to the beach or you know you will be heavily exposed to the sun, cou should opt for the actual sunscreen.
All cerave sunscreens counts with three ceramindes to help restore and maintain your skin barrier and lock in moisture. All Cetaphil sunscreens include vitamin E to protect your skin from surface free radicals.
One thing I like is that both brands have mineral sunscreen that allows you to apply them on sensitive areas such as lips, under eyes, nose and ears to maximum protection.
In this sense, you can choose Cerave if your skin is really dry while cetaphil will work better for sensitive skin including lips and undereyes, to better protect these areas, give preference to mineral sunscreen.
Which one Is Better?
Cerave has a little more advantage because they have more options to choose from. All products are very good so there is quality and quantity.
Taking a look of what most people are talking, seems like cerave is winning the run because it contains ceramides, and more hydrating ingredients such as niacinamide.
I would say, that cerave’s texture is less sticky so for me, I would take how I feel it on my skin as a cretrterium, because they both do a good job in therms of quality. As I don’t like sticky creams on my skin, I will prefer cerave.
Cerave Vs Cetaphil Serums
Applying serum is an important step on your skincare routine because they can potentialize specific treatments targeting different concerns. As expected both Cetaphil and Cerave counts with powerful serums.
Cetaphil Serum
For this, Cetaphil is offering the Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum and the Healthy Radiance Antioxidant-C Serum. I will talk more about the last one on the vitamin C session.
The Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum is indicated for those with dry sensitized skin, offering 48 hours hydration. It contains Hyaluronic Acid and sunflower seed oil that smooth and restores the skin.
Cerave’s Serums
Cerave on the other hand provides more serum options, including oils, gels that can be added to this category. On the table below I am placing four serums to help you make your decision.
| Resurfacing Retinol Serum with | Treats Post acne marks and pores |
| Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum | Hydrating serum For normal to dry skin |
| Skin Renewing Retinol Serum | Anti-aging retinol serum for fine lines |
| Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment | Anti-aging AHA serum with a blend of glycolic and lactic acids |
I hope you can take a look at the table below to understand the key differences between these serums.
I believe after checking the Cerave Vs Cetaphil comparison table, you will be able to decide what you want to try.
| Serums | Brand | Key Ingredients | Skin Type | Benefits |
| Deep Hydration 48 Hour Activation Serum | Cetaphil | hyaluronic acid, sunflower seed oil, vitamin B5 | Dry, Dehydrated Skin | 48 hour hydration |
| Resurfacing Retinol Serum | Cerave | three essential ceramides / niacinamide | Acne marks and uneven skin tone / POST-ACNE MARKS & PORES | Acne marks reduction / |
| Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum | Cerave | 10% PURE VITAMIN C, ceramides, vitamin B5, | all skin types, including aging and (or) sensitive skin | Skin-brightening, pollution protection, anti-aging, antioxidant protection, improve skin texture |
| Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum | Cerave | hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, Ceramids | NORMAL TO DRY SKIN | 24-hour hydration, smoother, softer skin |
| Skin Renewing Retinol Serum | Cerave | ENCAPSULATED RETINOL, niacinamide, ceramides | Aging Skin, irritated skin, all skin types | Anti-aging (fine lines and wrinkles reduction), Hydration, skin texture improvements |
| Skin Renewing Gel Oil | Cerave | Ceramides, sunflower oil | Dry, Dull, tired-looking skin | IMPROVES SKIN RADIANCE, deep hydration boost |
Cerave Vs Cetaphil Facial Serums
How To Use Cerave’s Facial Serums?
Facial serums can be used alone or as a part of your hydrating treatment. Here is the simple skin care routine using facial serums:
- Cleanse
- Apply toner
- Exfoliate (1x or 2x / week)
- Apply facial serum
- Apply facial moisturizer
Once again, you can apply serum and choose not to apply a moisturizer or you can apply the moisturizer if you choose so.
Cerave’s Oils & Gels
Cerave’s contains oils and gels that are grouped in the serums category, I am placing them on the table below so you can get to know them:
| Skin Renewing Gel Oil | Hydrating oil that improves skin radiance |
| Acne Control Gel | Hydrating salicylic acid full-face acne treatment |
Which One to Choose?
As you could see, you will probably choose cerave’s serums to treat specific conditions such as acne, post acne scars, and acne. However, it is still interesting to ty cetaphil is your skin is overly sensitized.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum vs Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Antioxidant-C Serum
Vitamine C can reduce wrinkles, makes the skin firmer, and prevent premature aging. In addition, it is a good ingredient to treat blemishes, spots uneven skintone.
Both cerave and cetaphil offer serum treatments that receives good reviews online. Take a look at the comparison table below for more details:
| Cerave’s Vitamin C | Cetaphil’s Vitamin C |
| Skin-brightening antioxidant serum, improving the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and uneven skin tone | defend against surface free radicals, GentleBright complex reduces the signs of photoaging, reduce the signs of dark spots and hyperpigmentation |
| formulated with 10% pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and soothing vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), MVE technology for all-day hydration | formulated with 12% vitamins and antioxidants, 2% niacinamide and nourishing antioxidants |
| all skin types—including sensitive skin | For dull or uneven, sensitive skin |
| lightweight | lightweight, oil free serum |
Which One to Choose?
Cerave’s vitamin C serum is formulated for all skin types, so if you have any doubts, you can use it knowing it contains more hydrating ingredients. If you have dull and uneven skin, cetaphil’s serum was specifically designed for you, so, I think this is worthy trying.
Skincare Routine Suggestions For Different Skin Types
Now let’s take a look at the skincare routine for different skin types. We are intending to keep this article updated so make sure to come back to see updates on these skincare routines.
ANTI-AGING SKINCARE
Most people recommend Cerave for anti-aging skincare because ceramides are an essential ingredient for improving your skin barrier, which protects, and avoids dryness.
THE WINNER: CERAVE ANTI-AGING SKINCARE LINE
One reason that people tend to prefer CeraVe for anti-aging is that it is very hydrating.
The more you hydrate your skin, the better it is for preventing aging signs. Fact.
CeraVe combines highly hydrating ingredients to develop its own anti-aging line with retinol.
Retinol, in turn, is one of the most powerful ingredients to prevent fine lines.
Cerave’s Renewing line contains 6 skin care products, to assure you are taking care of your skin from washing to applying night cream.
The results are improved skin since the first week, but the anti-aging results, you need to stick with a routine for at least 3 weeks.
At the peace that skin ages, it starts to gradually produce fewer ceramides, it is indeed a good idea to have a product that can help you retard this.
Now, to become even more efficient in anti-aging skin care, Cerave has launched a special line that contains retinol and vitamin C.
These are super ingredients widely used in the anti-aging industry all over the world.
ECZEMA
In terms of Eczema, Cerave is the most effective for treating severe more serious eczema.
Cetaphil works best for mild eczema cases, and dermatitis prevention.
Oily Skin and ACNE Prone Skin
Is part of CeraVe’s acne skincare routine the acne foaming cream cleanser, Cerave AM and PM moisturizing lotion, and the retinol serum.
These are super ingredients widely used in the anti-aging industry all over the world.
Cerave
CeraVe’s acne-prone skin line cleans and hydrates your skin without drying out. Down below we have a quick skincare guide:
- CeraVe Foaming Cream Cleanser
- CeraVe AM & PM Moisturizing Lotion
- CeraVe Retinol Serum
The Cerave Acne line has been having excellent reviews all over the internet. It has to be used daily AM and PM and results start to show up after the first 3 weeks.
The results are cleared and improved skincare texture, softness, and brightness after sticking with your Cerave’s acne skincare routine.
CareVe has launched a new line with benzoyl peroxide that dissolves dirt and excess oil while clearing acne, allowing your skin to heal.
But it is good to remember that both products, be Cetaphil, be Cerave, have non-comedogenic, non-irritating products that are ideal for acne-prone skin.
CETAPHIL
Cetaphil has an oily and acne prone skin line too, but I saw over the internet, most people tend to prefer cerave or cetaphil.
However the cetaphil line is also very good, and if you want to try and test it out yourself, here’s our step by step guide.
ARE CERAVE AND CETAPHIL RECOMMENDED BY DERMATOLOGISTS?
Both CeraVe and Cetaphil are recommended by dermatologists. In this sense, most people relate Cerve is good to dry skin while Cetaphil is good for sensitive skin.
In fact, dermatologists warn that the real good creams for your skin are the creamy rich creams, with no fragrances and cerave and cetaphil are part of these products
Related Posts
Here we get to the end and I would like to invite you to continue with me! Don’t go just yet! If you want, take a look at these articles as well:
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser Review | Is It Good?
- Cetaphil Body Wash Review: Is It Good? #Skincarejournal
- Cerave Foaming Facial Cleanser Review | Is It Good?
- Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Review (Face & Body) Is It Good?
- Cetaphil Acne Prone Moisturizer Review
- Cerave Eye Repair Cream Review: Does It Work?