CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream Versus Cetaphil Daily Smoothing Moisturizer For Rough And Bumpy Skin
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or fragrances
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 SA Smoothing Cream 34 ingredients
Cetaphil Daily Smoothing Moisturizer For Rough And Bumpy Skin 16 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 SA Smoothing Cream 34 ingredients
Cetaphil Daily Smoothing Moisturizer For Rough And Bumpy Skin 16 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG-2 Stearate Se
EmulsifyingCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Butter
Skin Conditioning
C12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientPEG-100 Stearate
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Triacetin
AntimicrobialCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lactate
BufferingSalicylic Acid
Masking
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Lauroyl Taurate
CleansingLauryl Acrylate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Caprylyl Caprylate
EmollientHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Urea, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, PEG-2 Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Butter, C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, PEG-100 Stearate, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethicone, Triacetin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Taurate, Lauryl Acrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Caprylate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningUrea
Buffering
Cetyl Lactate
EmollientMyristyl Lactate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingMethylparaben
Preservative
Propylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingIngredients 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaCetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.
Its main roles are:
Though it has "alcohol" in the name, it is not related to denatured alcohol or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
Learn more about Cetyl AlcoholGlycerin 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 GlycerinCetearyl 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 AlcoholDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream 34 ingredients
Cetaphil Daily Smoothing Moisturizer For Rough And Bumpy Skin 16 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream 34 ingredients
Absolutely changed my skin
Got rid of all my hormonal acne, made my skin extremely smooth and soft to the touch, keeps my skin well-hydrated, glowy and healthy. I use it day and night.
I used this product for my keratosis pilaris every evening for a few weeks. Unfortunately, it did not help my skin condition at all. But at least it didn't make anything worse. Won't buy again.
