Versus

Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25 Versus CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25

Sunscreen
Day Moisturizer
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on February 03, 2025

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils 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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25

Titanium Dioxide 7.3%

Cosmetic Colorant
0 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Zinc Oxide 6.9%

Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 0 Mineral UV Filter IconHelps fight Acne IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Trioctyldodecyl Citrate

Emollient

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Cyclopentasiloxane

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Antimicrobial

Steareth-2

Emulsifying
2 / 2

Stearyl Heptanoate

Emollient
4 / 0 Bad for Acne Prone Skin Icon

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Lecithin

Emollient

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer

Gentiana Lutea Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Hordeum Vulgare Extract

Emollient

Betula Alba Bark Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Emollient

Laminaria Saccharina Extract

Skin Protecting

Saccharomyces Lysate Extract

Humectant

Helianthus Annuus Seedcake

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sorbitan Tristearate

Emulsifying

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyquaternium-51

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Methicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Rna

Skin Conditioning

PEG-40 Stearate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Phytantriol

Humectant
2 / 2

Stearic Acid

Cleansing
2-3 / 0 May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Cellulose

Absorbent

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Stearyl Dimethicone

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Ascorbyl Tocopheryl Maleate

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Linolenic Acid

Cleansing
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pantethine

Emollient

Bisabolol

Masking
Helps reduce irritation Icon

Ceteth-2

Emulsifying

PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Steareth-20

Cleansing
2 / 1

Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Propylene Glycol Dicaprate

Emollient

Sodium Stearate

Cleansing

Nylon-12

Non-Reef-Safe Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Aluminum Hydroxide

Emollient

Nylon-6

Hexylene Glycol

Emulsifying
0-2 / 0-1

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Disodium EDTA

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

CI 77891

Cosmetic Colorant

Iron Oxides

AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone 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 Dimethicone
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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
Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

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

Disodium 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 EDTA
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol 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.

When to use

7 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
86% use every day
395 Routines
93% use in am
7% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25 60 ingredients

City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 31 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 7 ratings
No Scent (1) Sticky (1)
stwrle's avatar

stwrle

1 year ago
Review

feels a bit heavy on my skin
its a good moisturizer that doesnt leave a white cast and it has spf
but i dont really like the feeling it feels heavy and i have oily skin

XxxLieve_skincarexxX's avatar

XxxLieve_skincarexxX

2 years ago
Review

Amazing!
This moisturizer is great, itś good for fighting acne and it feel nice after you putted it on your face. It's also great that there is SPF in it so you won't buy sunscreen. The price is great.