We compared two widely used fragrance-free moisturising creams for dry skin: CeraVe Moisturising Cream and Cetaphil Moisturising Body Cream, both in roughly 450g tubs.
What we looked at
Key ingredients, stated hydration and skin-barrier claims, suitability notes, and price. All benefit claims below are the listings' own.
The verdict
If you want a formula built around three ceramides and hyaluronic acid with patented MVE Technology, CeraVe is the ingredient-led pick, at slightly higher cost. If you'd rather spend a little less on a vegan-friendly cream with niacinamide, panthenol and vitamin E that the listing says is clinically proven to hydrate in a day, Cetaphil is the value option, but note it contains sweet almond oil.
Built around 3 ceramides, hyaluronic acid and MVE Technology, fragrance-free, but slightly more expensive.
The cheaper cream, vegan friendly with niacinamide, panthenol and vitamin E, but it contains sweet almond oil and lists no ceramides.
CeraVe Moisturising Cream (454g Tub) — Best for Ceramides
Intended for: Marketed as a dermatologist-developed rich cream for dry to very dry skin on the face and body, with 3 essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid and patented MVE Technology, stated to give 24-hour hydration.
What we liked
- Contains 3 essential ceramides, stated to help restore and maintain the skin barrier
- Formulated with hyaluronic acid to attract and retain moisture
- Patented MVE Technology, stated to release hydrating ingredients through the day
- Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and fast-absorbing
- Stated to be suitable for the whole family, including babies from 2 months
Worth knowing
- Costs slightly more than the Cetaphil on these listings
- The listing states 24-hour hydration, not a clinical timeframe like the Cetaphil's
Best for
- Buyers who want a ceramide-and-hyaluronic-acid formula
- Anyone who wants a fragrance-free cream for face and body
- Families looking for one cream that the listing says suits all ages
Not ideal for
- Budget-conscious buyers comparing price first
- Anyone who prefers a formula with niacinamide
Cetaphil Moisturising Body Cream (453g Tub) — Best Value
Intended for: Marketed as a moisturising cream for dry to very dry, sensitive skin on the face and body, with sweet almond oil, niacinamide, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) and vitamin E, stated to be clinically proven to hydrate in 1 day.
What we liked
- Cheaper than the CeraVe on these listings
- Listing says it is clinically proven to hydrate in 1 day and to help restore the moisture barrier in 1 week
- Contains niacinamide, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), vitamin E and sweet almond oil
- Vegan friendly, non-comedogenic, with no added fragrance
- Stated to suit women, men, children and babies
Worth knowing
- Contains sweet almond oil, which may matter to anyone avoiding nut-derived ingredients
- No ceramides or hyaluronic acid mentioned in the listing, unlike the CeraVe
Best for
- Buyers who want a lower-priced cream with niacinamide and vitamin E
- People with dry, sensitive skin who like a vegan-friendly formula
- Anyone who values stated clinical hydration timeframes
Not ideal for
- Anyone avoiding sweet almond oil
- Buyers who specifically want ceramides or hyaluronic acid
