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cerave Moisturizing… vs cerave Moisturizing… — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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cerave Moisturizing Cream vs cerave Moisturizing Lotion

cerave Moisturizing Lotion scores 8.8/9.8 vs cerave Moisturizing Cream at 8.1/9.8. cerave Moisturizing Lotion wins for active ingredients.

Head to head

cerave

Moisturizing Cream

moisturiserbudget

8.1

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Ingredients

Niacinamide
Retinol
Hyaluronic Acid
Salicylic Acid

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Honest skincare intel. No jargon, no gatekeeping — just the ingredients decoded.

cerave

Moisturizing Lotion

moisturiser

8.8

Buy at Amazon

Score comparison

cerave Moisturizing Lotion edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.

cerave wins 0

Tied 3

cerave wins 2

8.1cerave

+0.7vs

8.8cerave

Scores last verified: April 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

cerave WINS

8.1

9.4

cerave

Irritation Risk

TIE

9.5

cerave

Active Ingredient Strength

cerave WINS

5.4

7.3

cerave

Ingredient Transparency

TIE

8.5

cerave

Formulation Safety

TIE

9.0

8.8

cerave

Ingredient face-off

55% overlap

23cerave

18Shared

33cerave

Only in cerave Moisturizing Cream

5 unique

Aqua/Water Glycerin Ceteareth-20 Petrolatum Ethylhexylglycerin

Shared ingredients

18 in common

Cetearyl Alcohol Cetyl Alcohol Potassium Phosphate Ceramide Np Ceramide Ap Ceramide Eop Carbomer Dimethicone Behentrimonium Methosulfate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate+8 more

Only in cerave Moisturizing Lotion

15 unique

Aqua/Water/Eau Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Niacinamide Allantoin Zinc Citrate Sodium Pca Arginine Pca Tocopheryl Acetate Lauric Acid Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate+5 more

Why cerave Moisturizing Lotion comes out ahead

Where cerave Moisturizing Lotion really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 7.3 compared to cerave Moisturizing Cream's 5.4. Its formula features Niacinamide, Allantoin, and Ceramide Np in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.

Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. cerave Moisturizing Lotion scores 9.4 here versus 8.1 for cerave Moisturizing Cream. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

cerave Moisturizing Lotion brings Niacinamide, Allantoin, and Ceramide Np as actives, while cerave Moisturizing Cream relies on Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, and Ceramide Eop. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

cerave Moisturizing Cream is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

cerave Moisturizing Lotion is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Sodium Pca
Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Niacinamide does the heavy lifting

Value comparison

cerave Moisturizing Cream comes in at budget pricing with a 8.1 score, which is solid value at that tier.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+0.7 lead

cerave Moisturizing Lotion edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but cerave Moisturizing Cream is still a solid pick.

8.1cerave

8.8cerave

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: cerave Moisturizing Cream or cerave Moisturizing Lotion?

Based on ingredient analysis, cerave Moisturizing Lotion scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do cerave Moisturizing Cream and cerave Moisturizing Lotion share ingredients?

Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.

What's the main difference between cerave Moisturizing Cream and cerave Moisturizing Lotion?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.

Full analysis: cerave Moisturizing Cream→Full analysis: cerave Moisturizing Lotion→

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