Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream vs CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
7 shared ingredients · Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream 16 ingredients · CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion 18 ingredients
Where the two ingredient lists differ
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream · 16
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion · 18
- CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE
- CETEARYL ALCOHOL
- POLYSORBATE 20
- CETEARETH-20
- BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE
- POLYGLYCERYL-3 DIISOSTEARATE
- SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE
- ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
- POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE
- DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE
- CERAMIDE NP
- Ceramide AP
- PHYTOSPHINGOSINE
- CHOLESTEROL
- Xanthan Gum
- Sodium hyaluronate
- TOCOPHEROL
- Ceramide EOP
What has been studied about those differences
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
- PANTHENOL Skin effectThe 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.
- PANTHENOL Skin effectA cream containing linoleic acid, 5% dexpanthenol and ceramide in the treatment of atopic dermatitis
In 38 children with atopic dermatitis, a cream containing linoleic acid, 5% dexpanthenol and ceramide improved SCORAD significantly more than a 5% urea cream after 4 weeks (P = 0.043); both groups improved from baseline.
Human trial · 2024 · 38 people · children with atopic dermatitis (37 completed) · Children with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis applying the cream twice daily for 4 weeks in a randomised, double-blind, bilateral paired design. · Both interventions were non-prescription moisturisers: this is emollient / basic skin care. Small sample (37 completed); stratum corneum hydration and time to remission stayed close between groups.
- PANTHENOL Skin effectEfficacy and safety of a cream containing panthenol, prebiotics, and probiotic lysate for improving sensitive skin symptoms
In 110 people with facial sensitive skin, a cream containing panthenol used twice daily for 28 days significantly increased stratum corneum moisture and reduced erythema index, redness (a* value) and transepidermal water loss.
Human trial · 2024 · 110 people · people with facial sensitive skin · People with facial sensitive skin applying the cream twice daily for 28 days. · Panthenol was combined with prebiotics and a probiotic lysate.
- NIACINAMIDE Skin effectEvaluation of anti-wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing niacinamide
In a randomized, placebo-controlled split-face study of 30 healthy Japanese women, a cosmetic containing 4% niacinamide reduced the skin-surface average roughness (Ra) value significantly more than the niacinamide-free control site after 8 weeks (P<0.05).
Human trial · 2008 · 30 people · healthy Japanese women with wrinkles in the eye areas · Skin-surface roughness measured by replica profilometry (Ra). · Measured at the eye area on a photoaged/wrinkle cohort; the endpoint is surface roughness.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
- CERAMIDE NP Skin effectThe 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.
- CERAMIDE NP Skin effectMonocentric, 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.
- CERAMIDE NP Skin effectThe 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.
- CERAMIDE NP Skin effectEfficacy of ceramides and niacinamide-containing moisturizer versus hydrophilic cream in combination with topical anti-acne treatment in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: A split face, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial
In 40 people with mild-to-moderate acne all using topical benzoyl peroxide plus adapalene, a moisturiser with ceramides and niacinamide significantly improved non-inflammatory, inflammatory and total acne lesions on that side of the face versus a hydrophilic cream after 8 weeks, and decreased cutaneous irritation.
Human trial · 2024 · 40 people · patients with mild-to-moderate acne, all on topical anti-acne treatment · People on topical anti-acne medication who add a moisturiser alongside treatment, in a split-face, double-blind, randomized design for 8 weeks. · All participants used prescription/OTC anti-acne drugs (5% benzoyl peroxide + 0.1% adapalene). TEWL, hydration, sebum, pH and other biophysical measures stayed close between the two creams. This is adjunctive care.
The situations those studies looked at
What to watch for
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream
- PANTHENOL SensitizationPantothenic Acid as an Unexpected Cause of Hypersensitivity to Sensitive or Atopic Skin Care Products - A Narrative Review
Panthenol is treated as non-allergenic, this review argues that frequent exposure, especially on damaged skin, can produce hypersensitivity to it. The likely route is a delayed (type IV) contact reaction; immediate and mixed reactions remain possible. Proposes patch testing with the patient's own product and with panthenol 5% in petrolatum.
Review article · 2026 · People with atopic or damaged skin using panthenol-containing products · People who use panthenol products repeatedly, particularly those with atopic or damaged skin - the group the author says is most exposed. · A single-author narrative review. The mechanism it proposes is stated as likely. Read it as a reason to keep panthenol on the list of possible allergens.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
- TOCOPHEROL SensitizationThe effects of topical vitamin E on the cosmetic appearance of scars
In the same split-scar trial, 33% of the participants developed contact dermatitis to the vitamin E ointment.
Human trial · 1999 · 15 people · Adults after surgical removal of skin cancer · Vitamin E in a petrolatum-based ointment applied to healing surgical wounds, twice daily for four weeks. · Small trial (15 people) with a single product.
Both ingredient lists and where they came from
Ingredient list from: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream — brand product page · last checked 2026-10-30
Ingredient list from: CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion — brand product page · last checked 2026-10-12