Vanicream Moisturizing Cream Versus Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream

See how these products line up with your preferences

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

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on March 25, 2023

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

Free From

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

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Vanicream Moisturizing Cream

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream 11 ingredients

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream 33 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

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream 11 ingredients

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream 33 ingredients

Benefits

Hydrating

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)

Acne Trigger

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Redness Reducing

Skin Texture

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting

Brightening (3)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin

Acne Trigger

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Ingredients Compared

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

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream 11 ingredients

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream 33 ingredients

Water • Petrolatum • Sorbitol • Cetearyl Alcohol • Propylene Glycol • Ceteareth-20 • Simethicone • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-30 Stearate • Sorbic Acid • BHT

Water • Hydrogenated Polydecene • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Dimethicone • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Cetearyl Olivate • Sorbitan Olivate • Cyclopentasiloxane • Marrubium Vulgare Extract • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Olea Europaea Fruit Oil • Tocopheryl Acetate • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Phospholipids • Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate • Cetearyl Alcohol • Sodium Polyacrylate • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylyl Glycol • Polymethylsilsesquioxane • Isohexadecane • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Cetearyl Methicone • Phenoxyethanol • Peg-40 Stearate • Steareth-2 • Steareth-21 • Retinyl Palmitate • Linoleic Acid • Lycopene

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

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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.

Water

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 Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Cetearyl Alcohol

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 Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.

Glyceryl Stearate

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 Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream contains this as ingredient number 24.

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

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream 11 ingredients

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream 33 ingredients

18% are loved or liked

0% have mixed ratings

64% are disliked or very disliked

18% have no rating yet

24% are loved or liked

21% have mixed ratings

36% 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

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream 11 ingredients

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream 33 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream 11 ingredients

3.7 /5

from 3 ratings

Heavy (2) Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1)

StanLoona_176

8 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

calming and moisturizing!

Vanicream

Moisturizing Cream

AshN.

4 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.