CeraVe Moisturizing Cream vs CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
CeraVe says the main difference between these two is texture. The ingredient lists show why: the cream has petrolatum near the top and more fatty alcohols; the lotion has no petrolatum and is labeled oil-free. Both carry ceramides NP, AP and EOP, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid.
Checked against brand ingredient lists on and against dermatology sources (American Academy of Dermatology, FDA, peer-reviewed studies). How we research · Editorial policy · 6 sources
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How this page was made: we compared what each brand publishes (actives, strengths, full ingredient lists, directions and prices) and checked the claims against dermatology guidance and published studies, all linked at the bottom. We haven’t tested these products on our own skin, we don’t publish star ratings, and a commission never decides a pick. Our methodology.
Not medical advice. This page compares cosmetic products. If you have a skin condition, use prescription treatment, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a dermatologist or your doctor before starting something new.
Short answer
Choose CeraVe Moisturizing Cream if your skin is dry, tight or flaky, you want one tub for face and body in winter or you use a retinoid and want a richer buffer. Choose CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion if your skin is normal, oily or combination, you dislike a heavy feel or you want a summer or daytime layer under sunscreen.
Last updated Ingredient lists checked 2026-11-11Prices checked November 2026
Check CeraVe Moisturizing Cream price (opens in a new tab)Check CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion price (opens in a new tab)
The numbers side by side
| CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture (brand) | Rich cream; brand says non-greasy and fast-absorbing | Lightweight, oil-free lotion |
| Petrolatum | Yes, 7th ingredient | Not in the list |
| Ceramides | NP, AP, EOP + cholesterol | NP, AP, EOP + cholesterol |
| Humectants | Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate | Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate |
| Ingredient count | 24 | 25 |
These are the same family of formula: water, glycerin, three ceramides, cholesterol and sodium hyaluronate. CeraVe’s own FAQ says the main difference is texture. We read both full ingredient lists on CeraVe’s site to show where that texture comes from. We haven’t tested them ourselves.
Short answer: pick the Moisturizing Cream if your skin is dry, tight or flaky, or for winter and body use: it adds petrolatum, an occlusive. Pick the Daily Moisturizing Lotion if your skin is normal, oily or combination and you want a lighter, oil-free layer for face and body.
How do they differ, line by line?
| CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture (brand) | Rich cream; brand says non-greasy and fast-absorbing | Lightweight, oil-free lotion |
| Petrolatum | Yes, 7th ingredient | Not in the list |
| Ceramides | NP, AP, EOP + cholesterol | NP, AP, EOP + cholesterol |
| Humectants | Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate | Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate |
| Ingredient count | 24 | 25 |
| Fragrance | Fragrance-free | Free of added fragrance |
| Eczema association | Accepted by the NEA (brand) | Not stated on the page we read |
| Where to use | Face and body | Face and body |
What does each do well, and where does it fall short?
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: pros
- Petrolatum seals in water: the AAD lists it for dry skin
- Brand says NEA-accepted, allergy-tested, non-comedogenic
- Cream format, which the AAD prefers for dry skin
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: cons
- Heavier than many people want on an oily face
- No price on CeraVe’s site
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion: pros
- Oil-free and light enough for oily or combination skin
- Same ceramide and hyaluronic acid set
- Easy to spread over large areas
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion: cons
- No petrolatum, so less occlusive
- Lotions are less effective than creams for dry skin, per the AAD
Which one fits your skin?
Pick by how dry your skin is, not by the ingredient list: the actives are nearly the same. Many people keep both, the lotion for the face in summer and the cream for the body or for winter. If one feels heavy, switch rather than skipping moisturizer.
Pick CeraVe Moisturizing Cream if…
- your skin is dry, tight or flaky
- you want one tub for face and body in winter
- you use a retinoid and want a richer buffer
Pick CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion if…
- your skin is normal, oily or combination
- you dislike a heavy feel
- you want a summer or daytime layer under sunscreen
What’s in each bottle?
Copied from each brand’s own product page (or the sunscreen’s Drug Facts) on November 11, 2026. Brands reformulate, so the carton in your hand is the final word.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- Key actives
- Ceramides NP/AP/EOP, hyaluronic acid, petrolatum, dimethicone
- Base
- Rich cream (tub or pump)
- Brand price
- Not sold on the brand site; check a retailer
- Brand notes
- Brand: fragrance-free, allergy-tested, non-comedogenic; accepted by the National Eczema Association.
Full ingredient list
Aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Petrolatum, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin.
CeraVe product page · Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion
- Key actives
- Ceramides NP/AP/EOP, hyaluronic acid (no petrolatum in the list)
- Base
- Lightweight, oil-free lotion
- Brand price
- Not sold on the brand site; check a retailer
- Brand notes
- Brand: lightweight, oil-free, free of added fragrance.
Full ingredient list
Aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Ceramide EOP.
CeraVe product page · Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Why does the cream feel heavier if the actives are the same?
Because of the base. The cream lists petrolatum seventh and has more fatty alcohols (cetearyl and cetyl alcohol) near the top. The lotion has no petrolatum and adds polysorbate 20, which makes a thinner, oil-free emulsion. Ceramides, cholesterol, glycerin and hyaluronic acid appear in both.
Petrolatum is an occlusive: it forms a film that slows water loss. A 2023 review by Rajkumar and colleagues describes moisturizers as combining occlusives, humectants (like glycerin) and emollients. The cream has all three; the lotion leans on humectants and light emollients.
Which one suits your skin type?
Dry or flaky skin: the cream, which the AAD’s[3] advice to choose creams over lotions supports. Oily or combination skin: the lotion. Sensitive skin: both are fragrance-free, so patch test either. Using a retinoid: the cream is the better buffer if your skin gets dry.
- Dry: cream.
- Oily / acne-prone: lotion (oil-free); both say non-comedogenic.
- Combination: lotion on the face, cream on dry patches.
Who should skip it?
- The lotion for very dry skin: It has no petrolatum, and the AAD[3] says creams and ointments work better than lotions for dry skin. Consider instead: the cream, or Vanicream.
- The cream for an oily face in hot weather: It may feel heavy, even though CeraVe says it is non-comedogenic. Consider instead: the lotion or CeraVe PM.
How can you spend less?
CeraVe doesn’t list prices on its own site. Larger tubs and pumps usually cost less per ounce; compare per ounce at the retailer.
What should you know before you start?
- Patch test first. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests applying a new product to a quarter-sized area twice a day for 7 to 10 days and stopping if you react. AAD: how to test skin care products.
- Add one new product at a time, and give it time: the AAD says many anti-aging products take 6 weeks to 3 months to show results. AAD: get the most from anti-aging products.
What do people ask most?
What is the difference between CeraVe cream and lotion?
Can I use the cream on my face?
Is the Daily Moisturizing Lotion fragrance-free?
Do either have SPF?
Where this comes from
We opened and read every source below for this page. Ingredient lists, strengths, directions and prices come from each brand’s own product page; health and usage guidance comes from the American Academy of Dermatology, the FDA, the National Eczema Association and peer-reviewed studies (via PubMed). Prices checked: November 2026; confirm on the seller’s site before you buy.
- CeraVe (brand page): CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (cerave.com)
- CeraVe (brand page): CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion (cerave.com)
- AAD: Dermatologists’ top tips for relieving dry skin (aad.org)
- Rajkumar et al. 2023, Skin Pharmacology and Physiology: The skin barrier and moisturization (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Lodén 2003, American Journal of Clinical Dermatology: Topical emollients and moisturizers in dry skin (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- National Eczema Association: Seal of Acceptance product directory (nationaleczema.org)
Related
Vanicream Moisturizing Cream vs CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Both are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, carry National Eczema Association recognition and go on face and body. The real split: Vanicream keeps its list to 10 ingredients and has no ceramides; CeraVe adds three ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid across 24.
comparisonCeraVe AM vs PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion: what’s actually different?
The real difference is sunscreen. AM is a broad-spectrum SPF 30 with zinc oxide 8%, homosalate 10%, octinoxate 5% and octocrylene 2%; PM has no SPF and is labeled night only. Both list niacinamide near the top, three ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
comparisonCeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion vs La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair
These two read alike on the shelf: glycerin, niacinamide, ceramide, fragrance-free. Underneath, CeraVe has three ceramides, cholesterol and hyaluronic acid in a light lotion labeled for night; La Roche-Posay has one ceramide and squalane in a lightweight cream for day or night at $24.99 for 100 ml.
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Your first retinoid should be low strength, used every other night, and match your skin type. Here are four starting points, from an $8.10 stated-strength retinol to single-dose capsules, and who should skip each.