CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream Versus Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
Updated on May 28, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream 34 ingredients
Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream 22 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream 34 ingredients
Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydrocortisone
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
PEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Lactate
BufferingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer
Dimethyl Mea
BufferingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Methylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cholesterol
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrocortisone, Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Isopropyl Myristate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Benzyl Alcohol, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Cetyl Palmitate, PEG-40 Stearate, Potassium Lactate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Potassium Sorbate, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Niacinamide, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Dimethyl Mea, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Cholesterol, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Maltodextrin, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Avena Sativa Kernel Flour
Abrasive
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Cetyl Palmitate
Emollient
Isostearyl Neopentanoate
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer
Potassium Lactate
BufferingDimethyl Mea
BufferingPEG-40 Stearate
Emulsifying
Methylparaben
Preservative
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20, Isopropyl Myristate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Avena Sativa Kernel Flour, Benzyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Citric Acid, Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer, Potassium Lactate, Dimethyl Mea, PEG-40 Stearate, Methylparaben, Avena Sativa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Flower Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Sodium Hydroxide
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 JuiceAvena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. 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 protect our skin from free-radical damage.
Oatmeal also contains beneficial compounds:
This ingredient is created by mixing grounded oatmeal and a liquid base.
Learn more about Avena Sativa Kernel ExtractBenzyl 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 AlcoholCeteareth-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.
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 AlcoholCetyl 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 PalmitateCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCyclopentasiloxane, or D5, is a silicone used to improve texture of products and trap moisture.
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.
It is also 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 CyclopentasiloxaneWe don't have a description for Dimethicone/Vinyltrimethylsiloxysilicate Crosspolymer yet.
We don't have a description for Dimethyl Mea yet.
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 GlycerinIsopropyl 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 MyristateIsostearyl Neopentanoate comes from Isostearyl Alcohol and neopentanoic acid.
It is an emollient, meaning it helps moisturize the skin.
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 MethylparabenPeg-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.
We don't have a description for Potassium Lactate yet.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
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