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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 Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum .

Published on May 09, 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 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.

Sunscreen American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

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.

General Moisturizer

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

Price

Shop

Buy Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30

Starts at $11.97
Shop

Buy Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum

Starts at $13.47

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
30

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 (3)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Ceramides

Benefits

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

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (2)
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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.

Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 4.

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.

Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 7.

Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 19.

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.

Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
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

Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 9.

Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 21.

6
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.

Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum contains this as ingredient number 18.

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
31% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
48% are disliked or very disliked
14% 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 reviews
SkyeReed's Avatar'
Apr 2, 2024

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!

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!

Great Value
Absorbs Well
No Scent
Works Well

Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum 29 ingredients

Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer With Spf 30 Broad Spectrum hasn't been rated yet.
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