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La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Cream Hydrating Versus CeraVe Moisturising Cream - Europe

General Moisturizer
General Moisturizer
French Brand France
American Brand United States

Updated on March 15, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances 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

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
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
Skin Conditioning

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP
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

When to use

263 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
95% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
23 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Cream Hydrating 18 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 11 ratings
No Scent (3) Doesn't Work (2) Expensive (2)
laila.21's avatar

Laila

8 months ago
Review

Stopped using since i felt like it's breaking me out badly!
i have so many clogged pores now and painful acne that I haven't had for so long.
Plus it pills like crazy during the day and doesn’t feel soothing nor hydrating

katymontrose's avatar

Katy Montrose

1 month ago
Review

Helped soothing my skin so much after ruining it with some kskincare Experiments... used it for a couple of days in combination with the 5B+ in the evening and restored my skin so fast.

#great value
#hydrating
#heavy
#no scent

CeraVe Moisturising Cream 24 ingredients

2.5 /5
from 16 ratings
Irritating (5) No Scent (5) Great Value (5)
Periwnkle's avatar

Periwnkle

1 year ago
Review

I think this is for very dry skin. I have oily t-zone aka combination skin and a lot of the time when I use it on my face I feel a burn when applied which I don't think is a good sign.. the second thing is my t-zone gets oilier and shinier with this.

#irritating
LinneaAndersson's avatar

LinneaAndersson

1 year ago
Review

This irritates my skin

#irritating
#no scent