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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 versus CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 .

Last updated on September 12, 2023. Published on December 02, 2021

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

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 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.

Sunscreen American Brand United States
Day Moisturizer Canadian Brand Canada

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.

Day Moisturizer

Day Moisturizers are marketed to hydrate the skin during the daytime.

Price

Shop

Buy Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30

Starts at $11.97
Shop

Buy AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25

Starts at $13.68

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
30
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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Reduces Irritation
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter (4)
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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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

Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 contains this as ingredient number 1.

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

Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 2.

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Alcohol

Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 5.

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 contains this as ingredient number 10.

4
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.

Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 8.

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 contains this as ingredient number 9.

5
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

Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 12.

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 contains this as ingredient number 16.

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

41% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
47% are disliked or very disliked
12% have no rating yet
42% are loved or liked
3% have mixed ratings
55% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 17 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
SkyeReed's avatar

SkyeReed

1 month ago · Oily Skin
Review

Great for oily and acne prone skin. Doesn't cause a greasy look or feel. Been using for 5 years now and I swear by it!

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25 31 ingredients

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

stwrle

5 months ago · Combination Skin
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...

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

10 months ago · Oily Skin
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...

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.

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