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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 35 versus CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin .

Last updated on August 09, 2023. Published on May 15, 2022

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or oils

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

Sunscreen American Brand United States
General Moisturizer Canadian Brand Canada

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Daily Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 35

Starts at $16.99
Shop

Buy Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin

Starts at $11.34

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
spf rating
35
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

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators
Niacinamide

Benefits

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

Concerns

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

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Anti-Aging (3)
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Eczema
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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: 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

Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 35 contains this as ingredient number 5.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin contains this as ingredient number 2.

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

Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 35 contains this as ingredient number 13.

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

23% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
51% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet
46% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
50% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 35 35 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 review
EmilyLennox_898's Avatar'
Feb 23, 2023

citric acid
My skin is so irritated and burns as soon as this goes on

citric acid
My skin is so irritated and burns as soon as this goes on

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin 24 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 12 reviews
ZephyrRose_888's Avatar'
Oct 18, 2022

More drying?
It made me more dry. It's a good price point, and it works for some so I've heard, but when I used it I just felt more dry.

More drying?
It made me more dry. It's a good price point, and it works for some so I've heard, but when I used it I just felt more dry.

Luluskin's Avatar'
May 4, 2023

Light and moisturizing!
This daily moisturizer makes my skin feel so soft! It is very light and perfect for those with oily skin, and it very hydrating due to it's ceramides. After applying, it does dry fairly quickly, and may be a bit...

Light and moisturizing!
This daily moisturizer makes my skin feel so soft! It is very light and perfect for those with oily skin, and it very hydrating due to it's ceramides. After applying, it does dry fairly quickly, and may be a bit too light for those with dry skin. I recommend this for oily, combo, and balanced(normal) skin types.

nasaye's Avatar'
Apr 30, 2023

Good body moisturizer
I don't use it on my face, but it is a good body moisturizer. For my dry skin. It is not as rich as the cream version, which I prefer on the winter months.

Good body moisturizer
I don't use it on my face, but it is a good body moisturizer. For my dry skin. It is not as rich as the cream version, which I prefer on the winter months.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 35.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion Normal to Dry Skin.

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