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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream versus Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream .

Published on September 17, 2022

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens and silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Body Lotion Canadian Brand Canada
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Body Lotion

Body lotions, creams, and butters help moisturize your body.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream

Starts at $30.59
Shop

Buy 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream

Starts at $5.72

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (6)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Alcohol

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Emollient, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.

It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.

The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.

Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.

Learn more about Isopropyl Myristate

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.

D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.

D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.

Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Cyclopentasiloxane

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does: Perfuming, Preservative, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.

Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.

Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.

Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.

Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.

Learn more about Benzyl Alcohol

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

8
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Isostearyl Neopentanoate comes from Isostearyl Alcohol and neopentanoic acid.

It is an emollient, meaning it helps moisturize the skin.

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

9
What it does: Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetyl Palmitate is a wax-like substance.

It comes from palmitic acid and palmityl alcohol. Cetyl Palmitate may not be safe for Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne.

This ingredient is naturally found in the guava fruit and stony corals.

Learn more about Cetyl Palmitate

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

10
What it does: Emulsifying

Peg-40 Stearate is a waxy solid made up of polyethylene glycol and stearic acid. It is an emulsifier and cleanser. Emulsifiers help oils and water mix.

Stearic acid is a a fatty acid. Therefore, Peg-40 stearate may not be fungal-acne safe.

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.

11
What it does: Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Potassium Lactate.

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

12
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

We don't have a description for Dimethyl Mea.

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 20.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.

13
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.

It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.

Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.

14
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.

Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.

Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.

The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.

Learn more about Methylparaben

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 22.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

15
What it does: Abrasive, Antioxidant, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. It is formed from grounded oatmeal and a liquid base.

Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.

This ingredient helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin. The starches in colloidal oatmeal are able to bind water, keeping the skin hydrated.

The cellulose and fiber in colloidal oatmeal help reduce inflammation. This can also help the skin feel softer.

Colloidal Oatmeal is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help stabilize free-radical molecules. These molecules may damage skin cells.

Avenacins found in colloidal oatmeal have anti-fungal properties. The saponins have a cleaning affect.

Overall, colloidal oatmeal is great at providing the skin with moisture and help sooth irritation. It also protects the skin in various ways.

Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 27.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

16
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 29.

Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

41% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
44% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet

Usage

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream.

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We haven't detected any alternatives for Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream.

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