CeraVe Moisturizing Cream vs CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Where the two ingredient lists differ

What has been studied about what both contain

• GLYCERIN Skin effect
  Combined effects of glycerol and petrolatum in an emollient cream: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in healthy volunteers with dry skin

  In a randomized, double-blind, four-arm crossover study of 51 healthy volunteers with dry skin, an emollient containing glycerol and petrolatum raised corneometry-measured skin moisture significantly above its vehicle (P < 0.0001) over 12 hours. The authors attributed the hydration gain to the glycerol component and the lower water loss to the petrolatum component.

  Human trial · 2020 · 51 people · healthy volunteers with dry skin (Kligman score 2 or 3) · Corneometry (skin moisture) and transepidermal water loss over 12 hours after one application. · Measured on the forearms. The significant hydration result comes from the full emollient containing both glycerol and petrolatum.

  PMID 31532576

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  Source:Combined effects of glycerol and petrolatum in an emollient cream: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study in healthy volunteers with dry skin
• GLYCERIN Skin effect
  Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions

  Topical glycerol improves stratum corneum hydration, barrier function and skin mechanical properties. The review also reports reduced irritation response and faster wound healing, and traces the effect to aquaporin-3 transport and to glycerol's own presence in the skin.

  Review article · 2008 · Humans in the cited studies, plus animal and in-vitro work on mechanism · Leave-on products. The review discusses both healthy skin and skin with dry or barrier-impaired conditions such as atopic dermatitis. · A narrative review. It compiles mechanisms and results from other studies.

  PMID 18510666

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  Source:Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
• CERAMIDE NP Skin effect
  The Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin: A Prospective, Observational Study

  In 88 women with sensitive skin, a face cream containing Centella asiatica leaf extract, ceramide NP and panthenol lowered the SS-10 symptom score by 66% at week 2 and 76% at week 4, with irritation, tautness, itching and redness all significantly reduced.

  Human trial · 2025 · 88 people · women with sensitive skin · Chinese women with sensitive skin applying the cream to the whole face, followed up at day 2, weeks 1, 2 and 4. · Observational and self-controlled.

  PMID 40682399

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  Source:The Effectiveness and Safety of a Skin Care Product With Centella asiatica Leaf Extract, Ceramide NP, and Panthenol in Subjects With Sensitive Skin: A Prospective, Observational Study
• CERAMIDE NP Skin effect
  Monocentric, Vehicle-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Assess the Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Ceramide NP C15-Containing Emollient on the Skin Microbiome and the Skin Barrier Function in Sensitive Skin

  In a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled split-body trial of 50 people with sensitive skin, an emollient containing Ceramide NP C15 significantly reduced transepidermal water loss in participants with an impaired skin barrier over 6 weeks.

  Human trial · 2026 · 50 people · people with sensitive skin · People with sensitive skin applying the emollient in a split-body design for 6 weeks; the barrier improvement was clearest in those whose barrier was already impaired. · Exploratory; both the ceramide formulation and the vehicle improved subjective symptoms, and the significant TEWL reduction was seen specifically in the impaired-barrier subgroup.

  PMID 41758783

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  Source:Monocentric, Vehicle-Controlled, Double-Blind Study to Assess the Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Ceramide NP C15-Containing Emollient on the Skin Microbiome and the Skin Barrier Function in Sensitive Skin
• CERAMIDE NP Skin effect
  The 24-hr, 28-day, and 7-day post-moisturizing efficacy of ceramides 1, 3, 6-II containing moisturizing cream compared with hydrophilic cream on skin dryness and barrier disruption in senile xerosis treatment

  In adults with mild-to-moderate xerosis (senile xerosis), a cream containing ceramides 1, 3, 6-II improved stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss and skin pH more than a hydrophilic cream, measured at 24 hours and after 28 days of twice-daily use.

  Human trial · 2019 · 24 people · adults (91.7% female, mean age ~55) with mild-to-moderate senile xerosis · Leave-on moisturizers for dry skin. The study enrolled adults with mild-to-moderate xerosis. · Small single-site study (24 participants), split-site comparison on the shins, 28 days. It shows the tested formula outperformed a basic hydrophilic cream on measured skin parameters.

  PMID 31585489

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  Source:The 24-hr, 28-day, and 7-day post-moisturizing efficacy of ceramides 1, 3, 6-II containing moisturizing cream compared with hydrophilic cream on skin dryness and barrier disruption in senile xerosis treatment

The situations those studies looked at

• Dehydrated skin
• Dryness
• Barrier damage
• Sensitive skin

What to watch for

Both ingredient lists and where they came from

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