Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream Versus Proactiv Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer
Updated on July 26, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances, oils 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
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream 23 ingredients
Proactiv Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer 35 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
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream 23 ingredients
Proactiv Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Petrolatum
Emollient
Dicaprylyl Ether
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
PEG-30 Stearate
Emulsifying
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Pantolactone
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Petrolatum, Dicaprylyl Ether, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, PEG-30 Stearate, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pantolactone, Dimethiconol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycol Stearate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Morus Alba Root Extract
BleachingArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters
Skin Conditioning
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Polyacrylate
Absorbent
Ethylhexyl Palmitate
Emollient
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate
Absorbent
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Squalane
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycogen
HumectantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
PPG-5-Laureth-5
EmollientDisodium EDTA
Polyquaternium-11
Parfum
Masking
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycol Stearate, Glycerin, Morus Alba Root Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Safflower Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Kojic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ceteareth-20, Polysorbate 60, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Phenoxyethanol, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycogen, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Citric Acid, PPG-5-Laureth-5, Disodium EDTA, Polyquaternium-11, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidDimethicone 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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream 23 ingredients
Proactiv Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer 35 ingredients
Reviews
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