Have you ever seen two similar CeraVe moisturizers side-by-side on market shelves and wondered what the difference was? We hear you. That’s why we’ve gone on a quest to uncover the differences between CeraVe lotion vs cream to discover exactly how these two products stand out from each other and how they measure up when it comes to moisturizing skin. Sound interesting? We thought so, too!
Table of Contents
- CeravVe Lotion vs Cream
- CeraVe Lotion vs Cream Ingredients
- CeraVe Cream or Lotion For Face
- About CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
- About Cerave Cream
- Which Is Better: CeraVe Lotion or Cream?
- CeraVe Lotion vs Cream: Which Will You Grab?
- FAQs
CeravVe Lotion vs Cream
Is the CeraVe cream the same as the lotion? Is CeraVe lotion and cream the same?
No, the two are not the same.
In fact, when applied to the face or skin, these two moisturizers may yield completely different results depending on your skin.
To start, it may help to note the general defining differences between a cream and a lotion.
A lotion is typically made up of more water than anything else, and thus has a runny consistency. This is ideal for oilier skin or skin that isn’t severely dry, cracked or flaking.
A cream, on the other hand, is typically formulated with a ratio of about half water and half oil. The result is a thicker and heavier consistency both to the touch and when applied on the skin.
Some cream formulas also contain petroleum which work to boost its moisturizing effects.
Creams are generally used for moisturizing even the driest of skin to relieve irritated, flaky, scaling, red or otherwise uncomfortable skin.
CeraVe Lotion vs Cream Ingredients
Both the CeraVe moisturizing lotion and cream have great ingredients with less unwanted chemicals than many other creams and lotions in its category.
Nevertheless, both the cream and lotion do have differing ingredients, which would make sense in light of the previously mentioned differences between a standard lotion and cream.
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Ingredients – Ingredients in CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
The ingredients for CeraVe lotion are as follows:
- Ceteareth-20,
- Cetearyl Alcohol,
- Dimethicone,
- Dipotassium Phosphate,
- Cetyl Alcohol,
- Methylparaben,
- Xanthan Gum,
- Glycerine,
- Ceramide 3,
- Ceramide 6-II,
- Ceramide 1,
- Purified Water,
- Cetearyl Alcohol,
- Hyaluronic Acid,
- Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate,
- Disodium EDTA,
- Carbomer,
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride,
- Behentrimonium Methosulfate,
- Cholesterol,
- Polysorbate 20,
- Potassium Phosphate,
- Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate,
- Phytosphingosine,
- Propylparaben
CeraVe Moisturizer Cream Ingredients
The CeraVe moisturizing cream, on the other hand, has these ingredients:
- Purified water,
- Glycerin,
- Ceramide 3,
- Ceramide 6-II,
- Ceramide 1,
- Hyaluronic acid,
- Cholesterol,
- Petrolatum,
- Potassium Phosphate,
- Ceteareth 20,
- Caprylic or Capric Triglyceride.
- Behentrimonium Methosulfate
- Cetearyl Alcohol,
- Dimethicone,
- Potassium Phosphate,
- Sodium Lauryl Lactylate,
- Disodium EDTA,
- Phenoxyethanol,
- Methylparaben,
- Propyl palabra,
- Carbomer,
- Xanthan gum,
- Phytosphingosine
As you can see, both the CeraVe lotion and the CeraVe cream have the ceramides, caprylic/capric triglycerides, glycerine, cholesterol, dimethicone and hyaluronic acid, though many of the other ingredients listed for both are similar.
CeraVe Cream or Lotion For Face
When it comes to the face, you could use either CeraVe moisturizing cream or lotion, but it will greatly depend on your skin’s needs.
To be safe, you may wish to go with CeraVe facial lotion which comes in both an AM and PM version in order to get the added benefits of sunscreen and other ingredients.
Having said that, if you already own a bottle of CeraVe lotion or cream, or if you want to simply stick to one bottle of moisturizer to use on your body and face, then we suggest purchasing one or the other based on your skin type.
Those with drier skin may wish to try the cream as it is much more moisturizing. Be careful though because this cream may be too heavy for some skin types. In such a case, the CeraVe lotion will become the best pick.
Still confused? Check out this video to help you discover which of the two might be best used as a daily facial moisturizer.
About CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion
Is the CeraVe Moisturising lotion good?
Like nearly all CeraVe products, the CeraVe moisturising lotion is a great pick for both the face and body.
Because the CeraVe lotion has three essential ceramides combined with hyaluronic acid and other impressive skin-loving ingredients, it is the optimal pick for those looking to improve moisture in their skin while also restoring their skin’s protective barrier.
The CeraVe moisturizing lotion is light and water-thin making it easily absorbed by the skin without leaving a tacky, sticky or oily residue. This makes it great for those suffering with oily skin, as it softens the face without added unwanted greasiness.
Does CeraVe lotion clog pores?
Is CeraVe moisturizing lotion good for oily skin?
As mentioned, the CeraVe lotion can be great for oily skin. Along with the benefits of three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid that works to restore the skin’s natural protective barrier, the CeraVe lotion is great for improving the skin’s texture and adding light moisture without feeling too heavy.
And contrary to belief, oily-skinned and acne-prone people should still moisturize their skin. Oily skin can still become dehydrated, so it is best that you use something to keep your skin healthy, smooth and supple.
As far as clogged pores go, oily-skinned people will always want to look for products marked as non comedogenic or oil free to lessen the risk of developing skin acne. Thankfully, according to CeraVe’s website, their lotion formula is non comedogenic, which means you should have little to no problem with this particular moisturizer causing acne-breakouts on your face.
RELATED: Best Non-Comedogenic Foundation
How often should I use CeraVe moisturizing lotion?
You can use CeraVe moisturizing lotion daily. In fact, apply it anywhere and whenever you deem necessary on your skin.
This is especially true for your hands, feet and body.
When it comes to your face, most sources recommend that you moisturize twice a day, both in the morning and at night. Doing so will keep skin smooth, supple and moisturized without causing blocked pores and a potentially oily residue from using too much moisturizer too often during the day.
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion Review – CeraVe Face Lotion Reviews
Almost everyone loves CeraVe moisturizing lotion, and it is no wonder why.
With its patented MVE technology, CeraVe stands on its own in terms of hydration, restoration and smoothing effects.
Those who have used CeraVe often say that they can notice a difference after just one application, while others say it takes a few days of repeated use before noticing a significant change.
Still, the consensus seems to remain the same… Most love the performance of the CeraVe moisturizing lotion as it a staple in countless homes.
Having said that, those with severely dry skin have complained that the CeraVe lotion isn’t as hydrating as they wish… some claim the need to reapply this lotion every couple of hours.
Thus, the CeraVe lotion variety might not be best for those with severely dry skin or who are suffering from flakey, cracked or eczema-prone skin.
Is CeraVe lotion for face or body?
Can CeraVe Lotion be used on face?
CeraVe lotion can most certainly be used on the face!
In fact, the CeraVe lotion may be better suited for the face than the CeraVe cream. That’s because the CeraVe moisturizing lotion can be applied thinly and often feels like water on the face. Thus it absorbs quickly and provides an excellent base foundation of moisture that should last throughout the day.
And while it might not be the best pick for those suffering with extreme dry or flaky skin on their face, those with moderately dry, normal or even oily skin can get away with using the CeraVe moisturizing lotion on their face and can generally expect that moisture to last all day long.
Does CeraVe make body lotion?
CeraVe makes an excellent body moisturizer, and this goes for both the lotion and cream varieties.
Users of CeraVe admit that the lotion isn’t particularly best suited for those with eczema-prone or severely dry skin, but they do recommend it for areas of the body that don’t require intensive moisture.
For areas that require a little extra tender love and care, we recommend reaching for CeraVe’s cream, as this will work wonders to smooth rough patches and restore the skin’s natural protective barrier in a more intensive way than the lotion might on it’s own.
About Cerave Cream
Is the Cerave cream good?
The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a great pick if you find that the moisturizing lotion isn’t quite living up to the hype for you.
Remember that lotion is composed of more water than is a cream, and as such, those with severely dry skin may not find that the lotion suits their needs the way that a cream can.
CeraVe moisturizing cream is formulated with the same three essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid that the lotion has, but is much heavier resulting in it being able to deliver moisture to even the driest of zones of your face and body.
Is Cerave moisturizing cream good for oily skin?
While we love CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, we would recommend that you use it with caution when it comes to the face.
It isn’t that this cream is in any way harmful to the face, but rather, due to ingredients like petroleum being used in the cream version of CeraVe’s products, it may cause breakouts or excess oil on the face for some users.
Because of this, oily-skinned folks may wish toaster clear of the CeraVe cream for the face and stick to the CeraVe moisturizing lotion instead. Or better yet, the AM and PM facial moisturizers, which are meant for the face. They may also consider reaching for the CeraVe cream only at night, as opposed to using it on the face throughout the day.
CeraVe Cream Reviews
Like most popular CeraVe products, those that use CeraVe cream typically love the results, especially when applied to dry, scaly or rough patches. Buyers love that the formula, despite being heavy, doesn’t tend to be greasy and still manages to absorb into skin without leaving a sticky or tacky film.
Moreover, those with sensitive skin agree that despite its heaviness, the CeraVe cream is the real deal, even on the face, as it never causes redness or irritation while supplying a blast of moisture for those who need it most.
Which Is Better: CeraVe Lotion or Cream?
Despite being an insanely popular brand, no two CeraVe products are alike.
To round out our comparison, we think that both the CeraVe lotion and CeraVe cream are both great moisturizers, but we think that both should be used according to the skin needs of the person using them.
CeraVe lotion is best used on skin that is oily, normal or moderately dry for a light barrier of moisture that can take you throughout your day.
The CeraVe cream, on the other hand, is great for use on dry and rough patches, and even for severely dry skin on the face, as the cream is formulated to deliver a punch in terms of moisture and may be considered “heavy” by some.
Remember that neither formula contains SPF, meaning it may not always be the best grab for the face during the day compared to other facial moisturizers specifically formulated for daytime use.
Check out CeraVe’s line of daytime moisturizers developed specifically for the face for the benefits of CeraVe that you know and love with the addition of SPF to protect your skin throughout the day.
CeraVe Lotion vs Cream: Which Will You Grab?
To close the CeraVe lotion vs cream debate, both the CeraVe lotion and the CeraVe cream moisturizers are great picks, but for different reasons.
Bear in mind that both moisturizers will provide you the essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid known and loved by CeraVe consumers, but also that the two products are quite different in terms of application, consistency and moisture.
To select the best of the two moisturizers for you, we recommend assessing your skin’s needs. Choose the CeraVe lotion for normal to oily zones and the cream for dry zones. Feel free to mix it up as you go or stick with one tried and true CeraVe moisturizer. The choice is yours!
Hopefully, you’ll find CeraVe moisturizers to be great moisturizing options for you!
Learn more about skincare by having a read of some of these related posts on our blog:
- Best Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin
- Best Natural Face Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin
- Does Cetaphil Lotion Cause Acne
- Best Enzyme Mask for Acne
- How To Use The Nexcare Acne Patch
- Best Tea Tree Oil Brands for Acne
- CeraVe Moisturizer for Oily Skin
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Review
What about you, what’s your pick over the CeraVe lotion vs cream?
FAQs
Is the CeraVe Moisturising lotion good?
The CeraVe moisturizing lotion is light and water-thin making it easily absorbed by the skin without leaving a tacky, sticky or oily residue. This makes it great for those suffering with oily skin, as it softens the face without added unwanted greasiness.
Does CeraVe lotion clog pores?
As far as clogged pores go, oily-skinned people will always want to look for products marked as non comedogenic or oil free to lessen the risk of developing skin acne. Thankfully, according to CeraVe’s website, their lotion formula is non comedogenic, which means you should have little to no problem with this particular moisturizer causing acne-breakouts on your face.
How often should I use CeraVe moisturizing lotion?
You can use CeraVe moisturizing lotion daily.
Is CeraVe lotion for face or body?
It can be used on both.
Is the Cerave cream good?
The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a great pick if you find that the moisturizing lotion isn’t quite living up to the hype for you.
Which Is Better: CeraVe Lotion or Cream?
We think that both the CeraVe lotion and CeraVe cream are both great moisturizers, but we think that both should be used according to the skin needs of the person using them.
CeraVe lotion is best used on skin that is oily, normal or moderately dry for a light barrier of moisture that can take you throughout your day.
The CeraVe cream, on the other hand, is great for use on dry and rough patches, and even for severely dry skin on the face, as the cream is formulated to deliver a punch in terms of moisture and may be considered “heavy” by some.
