Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Cetaphil Rich Night Cream versus CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on May 22, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe night moisturizers. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or parabens
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.
Night Moisturizer
Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.
Night Moisturizer
Night Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin overnight.
Ingredient Info
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream 35 ingredients
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream 35 ingredients
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
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This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream 35 ingredients
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
Water • Hydrogenated Polydecene • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Dimethicone • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Cetearyl Olivate • Sorbitan Olivate • Cyclopentasiloxane • 1,2-Hexanediol • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Caprylyl Glycol • Cetearyl Alcohol • Cetearyl Methicone • Citric Acid • Glyceryl Stearate • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Isohexadecane • Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Linoleic Acid • Lycopene • Marrubium Vulgare Extract • Olea Europaea Fruit Oil • Peg-100 Stearate • Peg-40 Stearate • Phenoxyethanol • Phospholipids • Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Retinyl Palmitate • Sodium Benzoate • Sodium Polyacrylate • Steareth-2 • Steareth-21 • Tocopheryl Acetate
Water • Glycerin • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Butyrospermum Parkii Butter • Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer • Cyclopentasiloxane • Glyceryl Stearate Se • Cetyl Alcohol • Dimethicone • Saccharide Isomerate • Stearic Acid • Palmitic Acid • Glycine Soja Sterols • Allantoin • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Carbomer • Niacinamide • Cetearyl Alcohol • Behentrimonium Methosulfate • Sodium Hydroxide • Myristic Acid • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Sodium Benzoate • Sodium Citrate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Cholesterol • Phenoxyethanol • Tocopherol • Tripeptide-1 • Laureth-9 • Citric Acid • Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3 • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Phytosphingosine • Xanthan Gum • Dextran • Ethylhexylglycerin • Butylene Glycol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCetaphil Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 1.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetaphil Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 3.
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 Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 9.
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 GlycerinCetaphil Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 2.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 40.
Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone used to improve texture and trap moisture. An easier name for this is D5.
D5 is considered lightweight and volatile. Volatile means it evaporates quickly after application. Once evaporated, D5 leaves a thin barrier that helps keep skin hydrated.
D5 is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and prevent water loss. Silicones create a silky texture in products. D5 helps other ingredients become more spreadable.
Studies show D5 is safe to use in skincare products. We recommend speaking with a skincare professional if you have concerns.
Learn more about CyclopentasiloxaneCetaphil Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 AlcoholCetaphil Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 20.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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.
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 look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidCetaphil Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 33.
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 Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 27.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 29.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateCetaphil Rich Night Cream contains this as ingredient number 31.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin contains this as ingredient number 25.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream 35 ingredients
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream 35 ingredients
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Cetaphil Rich Night Cream 35 ingredients
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream to Soften Skin 40 ingredients
NurseMeg
Clover
Favorite for buffering or sandwiching retinoids!
When I first started my strong retinoid journey to help deal with my acne I was on the hunt for a...
Favorite for buffering or sandwiching retinoids!
When I first started my strong retinoid journey to help deal with my acne I was on the hunt for a thick moisturizer to help act as a buffer to my adapalene gel and to ease me through the retinization process. However I didn’t want anything too occlusive either, so I wanted to avoid petrolatum and oils (not all oils are super occlusive, but I wanted something oil free just to be safe). Something with ceramides was also a must as I knew that I needed to keep my skin barrier strong through retinization. That’s when I found this night cream! It met all my requirements and needs! This is THICC, like, I can turn the jar upside down and shake it and it’s not going anywhere kind of thick <3. BUT it’s not greasy; in fact it almost has a matte finish to it (velvety finish? satin finish? IDK). Despite how thick it is though, it still let enough of my adapalene through to be effective. In the beginning I was flakey and a little red, but NOT irritated. Having said that that however, after about 6-7 months of using .1% adapalene, I moved up to using .05% tretinoin (AKA a stronger retinoid) and and using this cream as a buffer wasn’t quite enough for the areas on my face where it creases, so I recommend using plain petrolatum as a buffer on places such as the corners of the mouth, smile lines, around the nose, etc, if you find you are experiencing irritation. However for those starting out their retinoid journey, this is a perfect option to help ease you into it. But even if you are not using retinoids in your routine, this is still a fantastic night cream. My skin tends to lean dry, and this cream makes it feel protected, soft, and soooo smooth. I highly recommend giving it a try!
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