CeraVe Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream Versus Vanicream 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
Updated on May 28, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both body treatments. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Vanicream 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream 11 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
Vanicream 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream 11 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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.
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 AlcoholWater. 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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