Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin versus Differin Soothing Moisturizer .
Last updated on August 09, 2023. Published on August 12, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
General Moisturizer
All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.
Price
Ingredient Info
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin 24 ingredients
Differin Soothing Moisturizer 17 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types of parabens:
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin 24 ingredients
Differin Soothing Moisturizer 17 ingredients
Benefits
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin 24 ingredients
Differin Soothing Moisturizer 17 ingredients
Water • 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
Water • Glycerin • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene • Ceteareth-20 • Cetearyl Alcohol • Persea Gratissima Oil • Tocopheryl Acetate • Dimethicone • Panthenol • Citric Acid • Sodium Levulinate • Caprylyl Glycol • Benzyl Alcohol • Stearoxytrimethylsilane • Stearyl Alcohol • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Sodium Anisate
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin contains this as ingredient number 1.
Differin Soothing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinCeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin contains this as ingredient number 2.
Differin Soothing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 2.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholCeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin contains this as ingredient number 4.
Differin Soothing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 5.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin contains this as ingredient number 11.
Differin Soothing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 8.
Ceteareth-20 is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. It is derived from cetearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.
As an emulsifier, Ceteareth-20 prevents oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant. Surfactants help gather oil, pollution, and dirt to be washed away.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin contains this as ingredient number 12.
Differin Soothing Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin 24 ingredients
Differin Soothing Moisturizer 17 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin 24 ingredients
Differin Soothing Moisturizer 17 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin 24 ingredients
kawaiidesuwu_683
ok
its not very good. its like good for your body but i wouldn't put it on my face. it feels like straight grease on the face, and then the...
ok
its not very good. its like good for your body but i wouldn't put it on my face. it feels like straight grease on the face, and then the moisture doesn't last at all. i find my face feeling dry when i wake up
ZephyrRose_888
More drying?
It made me more dry. It's a good price point, and it works for some so I've heard, but when I used it I just felt more dry.
Differin Soothing Moisturizer 17 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin.
See 50 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Differin Soothing Moisturizer.
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