Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM versus Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on June 18, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens
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.
Ingredient Info
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM 24 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 34 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:
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
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 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM 24 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 34 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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:
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Benefits
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
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 Facial Moisturising Lotion PM 24 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 34 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Niacinamide • Cetearyl Alcohol • Potassium Phosphate • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Carbomer • Dimethicone • Ceteareth-20 • Behentrimonium Methosulfate • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Cholesterol • Phenoxyethanol • Disodium EDTA • Dipotassium Phosphate • Caprylyl Glycol • Phytosphingosine • Xanthan Gum • Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate • Ethylhexylglycerin
Water • Ethyl Macadamiate • Glycerin • Cetearyl Alcohol • Propanediol • Triethylhexanoin • Sodium Acrylates Copolymer • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Hydrolyzed Pumpkin Seedcake • Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract • Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract • Prunus Serotina Fruit Extract • Niacinamide • Tripeptide-29 • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Sodium Hyaluronate • Phytosphingosine • Cholesterol • Panthenol • Sodium PCA • Adenosine • Lecithin • Arginine • Sodium Gluconate • Citric Acid • Isohexadecane • Xanthan Gum • Carbomer • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin
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 Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free 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 Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 2.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 3.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideCeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 4.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 15.
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 Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 5.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 4.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPCeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 7.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 17.
Ceramide AP is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide NP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide APCeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 8.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 18.
Ceramide EOP is a type of Ceramide. EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide NP
Learn more about Ceramide EOPCeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 9.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 19.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 10.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 32.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateCeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 15.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 20.
Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolCeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 16.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 22.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 17.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 33.
Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine is already present in our skin. On our skin, it is a building block for ceramides.
Phytosphingosine tells our skin to increase its natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Phytosphingosine is also abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosineCeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 21.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 21.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumCeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 22.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 31.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM contains this as ingredient number 24.
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer contains this as ingredient number 34.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM 24 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 34 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM 24 ingredients
Paula's Choice Clear Oil-Free Moisturizer 34 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM 24 ingredients
I have mixed feelings about this moisturiser. I used to use it twice a day as its lightweight, frangrance-free, great under makeup and absorbs quickly. However I was sure it was making my cystic acne worse, so I cut it out of my routine...
I have mixed feelings about this moisturiser. I used to use it twice a day as its lightweight, frangrance-free, great under makeup and absorbs quickly. However I was sure it was making my cystic acne worse, so I cut it out of my routine for about 2 months and used other moisturisers that have less ingedients and no cetearyl alcohol. However after ruining my skin barrier with Differin, my skin was sooo dry, I needed something with ceramides in to help restore it. After using it for about a week my skin is feeling waaaay more hydrated and looks more even. I have had new acne appear but only a few spots and they're pretty small, so I can't decide whether to keep this in my routine or just use it for times when my skin is extra dry.
this product helped me a lot to soothe and balance my combination skin
this product helped me a lot to soothe and balance my combination skin
Very good. I used it in the morning and evening. Just basic moisturizer. There’s nothing wrong with it. It has very similar ingredients to cerave moisturizing lotion or cream but somehow it feels so much better on the skin. It leaves a...
Very good. I used it in the morning and evening. Just basic moisturizer. There’s nothing wrong with it. It has very similar ingredients to cerave moisturizing lotion or cream but somehow it feels so much better on the skin. It leaves a slightly shiny finish.
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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM.
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