Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion versus Vanicream Moisturizing Cream .

Last updated on February 12, 2024. Published on June 22, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

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

Body Lotion American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

Body Lotion

Body lotions, creams, and butters help moisturize your body.

General Moisturizer

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

Price

Shop

Buy Moisturizing Lotion

Starts at $18.99
Shop

Buy Moisturizing Cream

Starts at $13.43

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

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Eczema (2)

Benefits

Hydrating

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Eczema (2)
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

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

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 1.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream 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

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 2.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 3.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.

Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.

Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.

Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.

Learn more about Cetearyl Alcohol

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 4.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.

Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.

As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.

It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.

Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.

Learn more about Sorbitol

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 5.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

6
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Ceteareth-20 is an emulsifier and cleansing agent. It is derived from cetearyl alcohol, a fatty alcohol.

As an emulsifier, Ceteareth-20 prevents oil and water from separating. It is also a surfactant. Surfactants help gather oil, pollution, and dirt to be washed away.

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 6.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Simethicone is a silicone. It is an emollient and used to reduce foaming in a product. It is also often used to coat sunscreen ingredients for better spreadability.

This ingredient is created by mixing dimethylpolysiloxane and hydrated silica.

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 7.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

8
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate 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. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 8.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

9
What it does: Emulsifying

Peg-30 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 9.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Sorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.

Sorbic Acid is a natural antibiotic and highly effective at preventing the growth of fungus. It is less effective against bacteria.

Potassium Sorbate, another commonly-used preservative, is the potassium salt of Sorbic Acid.

Sorbic Acid may worsen eczema. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Learn more about Sorbic Acid

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 10.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

11
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant. As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

BHT also helps stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Many products are sensitive to air and light. BHT prevents them from breaking down when exposed.

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion contains this as ingredient number 11.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

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

18% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
64% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet
18% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
64% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion 11 ingredients

4.7 /5
from 3 ratings
lulub's avatar

lulub

7 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

helped cure my sensitive skin and dry skin

LeezG_503's avatar

LeezG_503

8 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

She has never failed me. Never betrayed me. Steadfast. Loyal.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream 11 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Heavy (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
StanLoona_176's avatar

StanLoona_176

8 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

calming and moisturizing!

AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

3 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

This is a budget-friendly cream that I would recommend to anyone with dry to extremely dry skin for face or body use. Never had any issues with...

This is a budget-friendly cream that I would recommend to anyone with dry to extremely dry skin for face or body use. Never had any issues with irritation regarding it. Given how thick this formulation is you would not need much of it for your face, so it lasts a long time. (I bought this product back in March 2023 and I still have a 1/4 of it left!). I ran into this product because I couldn't find my usual CeraVe Moisturizing Cream so this is a pretty solid dupe. Usually leaves my skin very moisturized, but with a more matte finish. Big fan of the pump dispenser as I find it more sanitary.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 14 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion.

See 14 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 20 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Vanicream Moisturizing Cream.

See 20 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...