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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 versus CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint .

Published on February 13, 2022

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides and SPF

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or 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 need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer American Brand United States
Sunscreen Canadian Brand Canada

General Moisturizer

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

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.

Price

Shop

Buy Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25

Starts at $11.87
Shop

Buy Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint

Starts at $11.98

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
25
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
30

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (3)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Ceramides

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger (2)
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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: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 1.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
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 Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 5.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 6.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 6.

4
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 16.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 37.

5
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 17.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 21.

6
What it does: Emollient, Moisturising
Community Rating: Disliked

Dimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.

This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.

Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 18.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 25.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 22.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 39.

8
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 23.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 34.

9
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25 contains this as ingredient number 28.

CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen with SPF 30 Sheer Tint contains this as ingredient number 40.

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

31% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
48% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
55% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet

Usage

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 24 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Cetaphil Pro Acne Prone Oil-free Moisturising Lotion SPF25.

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