Clinique Moisture Surge Broad Spectrum SPF 28 Sheer Hydrator Moisturizer Versus CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
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
Clinique Moisture Surge Broad Spectrum SPF 28 Sheer Hydrator Moisturizer 47 ingredients
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 26 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clinique Moisture Surge Broad Spectrum SPF 28 Sheer Hydrator Moisturizer 47 ingredients
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 7%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7%
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene
Skin ConditioningButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin Palmitate
Emulsifying
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Glycerin
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides
EmollientSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyaspartate
Humectant7-Dehydrocholesterol
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAcrylates Copolymer
Sorbitol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate
Emulsifying
Sucrose
HumectantSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantHydroxyethyl Urea
HumectantPPG-8-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDipropylene Glycol
MaskingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingStearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingAcrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
BHT
Antioxidant
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 7%, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycrylene, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Dextrin Palmitate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysaccharides, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Sodium Polyaspartate, 7-Dehydrocholesterol, Caprylyl Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Sucrose, Saccharide Isomerate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, PPG-8-Ceteth-20, Sorbeth-30 Tetraisostearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Potassium Hydroxide, Carbomer, Dipropylene Glycol, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Hexylene Glycol, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, CI 14700
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%
UV Absorber
Homosalate 10%
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%
UV Absorber
Octocrylene 2.7%
UV Absorber
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Cholesterol
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Homosalate 10%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 5%, Octocrylene 2.7%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, T-Butyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Also known as Avobenzone, this ingredient is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-A range.
Avobenzone is globally approved and is the most commonly used UV-A filter in the world.
Studies have found that avobenzone becomes ineffective when exposed to UV light (it is not photostable; meaning that it breaks down in sunlight). Because of this, formulations that include avobenzone will usually contain stabilizers such as octocrylene.
However, some modern formulations (looking at you, EU!) are able to stabilize avobenzone by coating the molecules.
Avobenzone does not protect against the UV-B range, so it's important to check that the sunscreen you're using contains other UV filters that do!
The highest concentration of avobenzone permitted is 3% in the US, and 5% in the EU.
Learn more about Butyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneHomosalate is a chemical sunscreen filter that provides protection in the UV-B range (280nm - 320 nm), with a peak protection at 306 nm. It is internationally approved for use in sunscreens.
Homosalate is not photo-stable, meaning it's strength as a UV filter degrades over time with exposure to the sun. Because of this, it's often used in combination with other chemical sunscreen filters as avobenzone (which protects from the UV-A range). Homosalate also helps act as a solvent for harder-to-dissolve UV filters.
(Part of the reason that sunscreens need to be frequently re-applied is due to the photo instability of many chemical sunscreen filters)
Currently, homosalate is approved in concentrations up to 10% in the EU and 15% in the US. The FDA is currently doing further research on the effects of homosalate, and it is possible that these approved concentrations will change in the future.
Learn more about HomosalateEthylhexyl Salicylate is an organic compound used to block UV rays. It primarily absorbs UVB rays but offers a small amount of UVA protection as well.
Commonly found in sunscreens, Ethylhexyl Salicylate is created from salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. You might know salicylic acid as the effective acne fighter ingredient and BHA.
The ethylhexanol in this ingredient is a fatty alcohol and helps hydrate your skin, similar to oils. It is an emollient, which means it traps moisture into the skin.
According to manufacturers, Ethylhexyl Salicylate absorbs UV wavelength of 295-315 nm, with a peak absorption at 307-310 nm. UVA rays are linked to long term skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation. UVB rays emit more energy and are capable of damaging our DNA. UVB rays cause sunburn.
Learn more about Ethylhexyl SalicylateWater. 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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateCarbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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 EDTACitric 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 AcidPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Clinique Moisture Surge Broad Spectrum SPF 28 Sheer Hydrator Moisturizer 47 ingredients
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Clinique Moisture Surge Broad Spectrum SPF 28 Sheer Hydrator Moisturizer 47 ingredients
CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 26 ingredients
The Cerave Ultra-Light Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 broke me out. It contains pore-clogging ingredients and is not fungal acne safe, which is why it didn't work for my skin.
