CeraVe Facial Moisturizer and Cetaphil Facial Moisturizer are pretty similar, according to Andrea, a Medical Aesthetician at Sanctuary Medical Center in Boca Raton.

Cetaphil Products

The Cetaphil skincare brand has been on the market for much longer than CeraVe. When Cetaphil became available, it was marketed to people with sensitive or dry skin. Even people who suffered from eczema were recommended Cetaphil moisturizing cream as an over-the-counter treatment. 

The Cetaphil ingredient list has been updated. The moisturizer includes hyaluronic acid, niacin, amide, vitamin E, sweet almond oil, and avocado oil which are also very soothing and hydrating to protect the skin. 

Click here to purchase Cetaphil on Amazon.

CeraVe Products

Then, when CeraVe became available, it was marketed the same way, but with the difference of it being for people with normal skin to dry skin.

CeraVe has ingredients like hyaluronic acid and Niacinamide which Andrea told me are very popular right now. In terms of skincare ingredients, she said they’re very soothing. They’re humectants so they keep the skin very hydrated. 

Click here to purchase CeraVe on Amazon.

CeraVe vs Cetaphil Facial Moisturizer: Which is Best?

While both Cetaphil and CeraVe are pretty similar, the team at Sanctuary Medical Center does not offer them because they are sold over the counter.

These products also have a preservative panel. Preservatives are chemical additives used to prevent or retard spoilage caused by chemical changes, such as oxidation or the growth of mold. Preservatives also help to maintain the freshness of appearance and consistency. 

So, it’s hard to say which one is the better choice because there isn’t a glaring main difference. They are similar products.

Something else I’ve been told by dermatologists is no matter your skin condition, if you use one brand for one thing, then use it for others. For example, if you use Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser, don’t use CeraVe moisturizing cream and another brand’s night cream. Instead use Cetaphil moisturizer. The active ingredients work together to fight your skin conditions together – whether it be excess oil, fine lines, acne-prone skin, etc.

Keep in mind, what might be a good option for someone else, may not be the right product for you based on your skincare goals and the fact that we all have different skin types. The good thing? There are popular products for any skin concern you may have. 

For me, the best moisturizer is one that combats my oily skin without skin irritation. A clear winner will also have a non-comedogenic formula with citric acid to give me a glow.

Other Skincare Products

At Sanctuary Medical Center, employees try to elevate their patients to use something clinical. 

Andrea loves SkinBetter’s Hydration Boosting Cream. She said it is also hyaluronic acid-based, it’s lightweight, it’s non-comedogenic so it doesn’t clog your pores while creating a skin barrier. It’s also great for reactive skin types and sensitive skin types. 

SkinBetter’s Hydration Boosting Cream is also great post-treatment. They use it a lot for their laser resurfacing patients. Patients have a faster and smoother healing process when they use Skin Better vs Cetaphil or CeraVe.

As someone fighting melasma, I get a variety of facials on a regular basis, so moisturizer is important. So is covering up that melasma, so click here for my favorite foundations to not only cover but treat skin discoloration. That post also has the best sunscreen for melasma too, so be sure to check it out. 

What are your favorite skincare brands, skincare products, and facial moisturizers? Find me on Instagram at @ChristinaAllDay and let me know!