PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Moisturizer Versus CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy skin
Updated on February 03, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both general moisturizers. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances, oils and 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
PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Moisturizer 48 ingredients
CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy skin 26 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Moisturizer 48 ingredients
CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy skin 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Sorbitol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Avena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialLavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Spirulina Platensis Extract
Skin ProtectingBHT
Antioxidant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCitric Acid
Buffering
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Malic Acid
Buffering
Gluconic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitronellol
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Titanium Dioxide, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Spirulina Platensis Extract, BHT, Carbomer, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Gluconic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Glycolic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Salicylic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citronellol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Paraffinum Liquidum
Emollient
Triethanolamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Ammonium Lactate
BufferingPEG-100 Stearate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingBehentrimonium Methosulfate
Dimethicone
Emollient
Methylparaben
Preservative
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCholecalciferol
Cholesterol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Propylparaben
Preservative
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSalicylic Acid, Water, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Lactate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Zea Mays Oil, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholecalciferol, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
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 DimethiconeDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearatePeg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.
PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
PrescriptSkin Vitamin C Moisturizer 48 ingredients
CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough and Bumpy skin 26 ingredients
Reviews
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