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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Nivea Crème versus Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Very Dry/Sensitive Skin .

Last updated on February 28, 2024. Published on July 02, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or silicones

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer German Brand Germany
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

General Moisturizer

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

General Moisturizer

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

Price

Shop

Buy Crème

Shop

Buy Moisturizing Cream for Very Dry/Sensitive Skin

Starts at $8.99

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
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)
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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

Nivea Crème contains this as ingredient number 1.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Very Dry/Sensitive Skin contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient
Community Rating: Disliked

Petrolatum is more commonly known as petroleum jelly. It is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils.

This ingredient is effective at reducing water loss by 99%. This is because it is an occlusive. Occlusives create a hydrophobic barrier on the skin to prevent evaporation. This property makes it great for hydrating dry skin.

Pro tip: Use occlusives, such as this ingredient, on damp skin for the best results.

The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand.

Other benefits of occlusives include protecting your skin against infection or allergies.

Petrolatum may not be safe for fungal-acne.

Learn more about Petrolatum

Nivea Crème contains this as ingredient number 3.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Very Dry/Sensitive Skin contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
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

Nivea Crème contains this as ingredient number 4.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Very Dry/Sensitive Skin contains this as ingredient number 7.

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

19% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
63% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet
29% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
53% are disliked or very disliked
6% 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

Nivea Crème 16 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Hydrating (2) Light Scent (2) Oily (2) Works Well (2) Light (1) Great Value (1)
Crizzaaayyy's avatar

Crizzaaayyy

2 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

It's just so so, gives my skin a smooth and glowy finish but it looks too oily on my skin as someone that has oily skin. I only use this at night...

It's just so so, gives my skin a smooth and glowy finish but it looks too oily on my skin as someone that has oily skin. I only use this at night though

MadisonB's avatar

MadisonB

10 days ago · Combination Skin
Review

It works well before you put on make up but I mostly use it early in the evening. Right before bed I wipe off the excess. Moisturises well and is...

It works well before you put on make up but I mostly use it early in the evening. Right before bed I wipe off the excess. Moisturises well and is not irritating. Difficult to work with if your face/fingers are still somewhat damp.

Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Very Dry/Sensitive Skin 17 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
sylvia_933's avatar

sylvia_933

11 months ago · Unsure Skin
Review

Amazing
Good for dry skin, ez application

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