Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème versus CeraVe Moisturizing Cream .
Last updated on August 17, 2023. Published on July 13, 2020
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe general moisturizers They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
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 or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot an error? Let us know.
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
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Ingredient Info
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème 20 ingredients
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 24 ingredients

Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:

Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:

Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:

Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉

Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉

Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:

Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:

Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉

Eu Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉

Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥

Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥

Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉

Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:

Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉

Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:

Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉

Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉

Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:

Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉

Eu Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉

Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥

Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème 20 ingredients
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 24 ingredients
Notable Ingredients

This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits

This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:

This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns

This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:

This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:

This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:

This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:

This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:

This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients

This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:

This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:

This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits

This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:

This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:

This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:

This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:

This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:

This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns

This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:

This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:

This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.
Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème 20 ingredients
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 24 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Myristyl Alcohol • Paraffinum Liquidum • Butylene Glycol • Alcohol Denat. • Stearic Acid • Petrolatum • Myristyl Myristate • Glyceryl Stearate • Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides • Dimethicone • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Tocopheryl Acetate • Lanolin Alcohol • Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate • Parfum • Carbomer • Sodium Hydroxide • Phenoxyethanol
Learn how many of your liked/disliked ingredients are in this product.
Create a free accountWater • Glycerin • Cetearyl Alcohol • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cetyl Alcohol • Ceteareth-20 • Petrolatum • Potassium Phosphate • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Carbomer • Dimethicone • Behentrimonium Methosulfate • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Cholesterol • Phenoxyethanol • Disodium EDTA • Dipotassium Phosphate • Tocopherol • Phytosphingosine • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin
Learn how many of your liked/disliked ingredients are in this product.
Create a free accountIngredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterNivea Soft Moisturizing Crème contains this as ingredient number 1.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.


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 GlycerinNivea Soft Moisturizing Crème contains this as ingredient number 2.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.


Petrolatum is created by mixing waxes and mineral oils. It is an occlusive and prevents moisture loss. The ability to trap moisture can make it good for hydrating dry skin.
The quality or origin of petrolatum is only known when disclosed by the brand.
Occlusives also help protect your skin against infection or allergies.
Petrolatum may not be safe for fungal-acne.
Learn more about PetrolatumNivea Soft Moisturizing Crème contains this as ingredient number 8.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

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.
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème contains this as ingredient number 12.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème contains this as ingredient number 18.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème contains this as ingredient number 20.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème 20 ingredients
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 24 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème 20 ingredients
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 24 ingredients
Ratings
Here's what our community thinks
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème 20 ingredients
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream 24 ingredients
Sounded great since it is developed with dermatologists. But I think it's too heavy for combi / oily skin.
from JulesausI tried this after using Drunk Elephant’s LaLa Retro for years and hearing so much about this being such a close and much cheaper dupe. I have it a try and while the ingredients may be close, the formula just isn’t the same. This moisturizer left me feeling greasy and felt like it took ages to absorb. It didn’t even absorb fully before I just gave up and went to bed after an hour and still felt tacky.
from KittenSyndromeThis was shockingly not very moisturizing for my dry skin while simultaneously being the thickest moisturizer I’ve ever used. I tried to love it, i really did. I typically apply my moisturizer to my damp face, and even then it still dragged along my skin while applying. And afterwards it just laid on my face never really getting absorbed, all while my face was still flaking like crazy. *also side note, this also stung my skin. I thought i was tripping but other people say the same thing. To...
from mirabelPrice
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Crème
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Alternatives
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