Aveeno vs Cetaphil 2024 (The Definitive Guide)

We're positive you've seen Aveeno and Cetaphil on the shelves at your local drugstore before. But which one should you choose?

Today, we will be comparing their daily moisturizers and lotions to help you determine which is a better fit for you and your skin!

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Aveeno vs Cetaphil Moisturizer

An excellent moisturizing lotion should feel lightweight and hydrating, leaving behind soft skin that feels subtle and looks radiant. Selecting the correct moisturizer can be complicated depending on your personal skincare needs or the specific skin issue you are treating.

According to dermatologists, moisturizers should contain occlusives, emollients, humectants, and barrier-repair ingredients. These four types of ingredient form a protective layer on the skin, draw in water, minimize roughness and keep skin smooth.

Today we will be comparing the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion with the Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion. Let's see how they stack up against our criteria for a good moisturizer!

Aveeno has been around for over 70 years; founded on research by the Mayo Clinic, the brand uses a combination of science and wellness to formulate products that aim to rebalance the skin.

Aveeno focuses on two key ingredients: oat and soy. The non-GMO oat extract helps soothe the skin. At the same time, soy protein contains lipids and vitamins that are nourishing and moisturizing.

The Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion contains naturally active colloidal oatmeal (oat flour), which claims to offer results in just two weeks.

The formula is designed for dry and sensitive skin and may be used any time of the day. It is recommended to use with the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash. Ingredients include: Water, Glycerin, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Chloride.

Aveeno does not use harmful ingredients in its skincare line. The range is formulated without triclosan, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, microbeads, or phthalates.

Cetaphil works to provide skincare solutions. Compared to Aveeno, Cetaphil takes more of a medical approach than Aveeno's holistic approach to skincare. A pharmacist founded Cetaphil, and the gentle skincare range claims to be safe and effective for sensitive skin and skin that is both acne and eczema-prone.

Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion is formulated for combination and sensitive skin. It works to lock in moisture for up to 24 hours.

The formula is designed to fight the five signs of skin sensitivity, including dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and a weakened skin barrier. Ingredients include: Water, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Homarine HCI, Sodium PCA, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Erythritol.

Like Aveeno, Cetaphil avoids harmful ingredients in its skincare line. In addition, the range is formulated without fragrance parabens.

Both Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion and Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion work to calm and soothe the skin. The differences fall mostly between a natural approach to skincare versus a medical approach to skincare. Both contain active ingredients that are dermatologically tested as suitable for sensitive skin. For a daily moisturizer, Aveeno is a popular choice; however, for creating a protective barrier and locking in hydration, Cetaphil may be what you are looking for.

Aveeno vs Cetaphil Lotion

Next, we look at two more moisturizing products from Aveeno and Cetaphil. Both brands have a wide range of skincare and offer creams, lotions, and washes that work to heal skin conditions. On top of the standard daily moisturizers, these following products are specifically designed to relieve irritated or damaged skin.

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion is suitable for dehydrated, irritable skin. The formula contains a unique prebiotic triple oat complex which includes oat flour, oat oil, and oat extract with shea butter. Together, this formula works to balance the microbiome of the skin, which will assist with hydration and has a calming effect on the skin. Oat oil is rich in lipids, while oat extract contains antioxidant properties. For sufferers of very dry skin, the Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion is clinically proven to work for up to 24 hours, bringing much-needed relief.

Cetaphil Intensive Healing Lotion works to restore the skin's natural moisture barrier. This lotion is ideal for rough, sensitive, and flaky skin for use on elbows, feet, hands, knees, or areas that require protection.

The amino acid complex and ceramides hydrate the skin keeping it soft and smooth for up to 24 hours. In addition, the lotion contains sunflower seed oil (moisturizing) and allantoin (soothing). Overall, the lotion is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and paraben-free.

The critical difference between the two lotions lies in the ingredients. Aveeno uses the calming effect of oat extract and shea butter, whereas Cetaphil uses a combination of Niacinamide and Allantoin for a similarly soothing effect. Cetaphil's lotion is packed with a wider variety of humectants and emollients, but both lotions are equally suitable for moisturizing dry, flaky, itchy, and irritated skin..

If we had to choose between the two, we would opt for Cetaphil's Intensive Healing Lotion on the basis that you get more bang (read: nourishing actives) for your buck.

Aveeno vs Cetaphil for Eczema

So, which is better for eczema - Cetaphil or Aveeno? While all the products we've covered so far are suitable for eczema, both brands actually offer products *specifically* for eczema-prone skin. Let's take a closer look at Aveeno's Eczema Therapy Soothing Cream and Cetaphil's Eczema Restoraderm Soothing Moisturizer.

The first thing you'll notice between the two is the fact that they both boast the National Eczema Association 'Seal of Acceptance', meaning that they are certifiably free from nasties such as fragrance, parabens, and dyes, so you can be confident in whichever you choose. They're both also free from steroids, meaning they're compatible with any eczema-related prescriptions you may be using.

The glaring similarities don't stop there, either. Both lotions contain Colloidal Oatmeal (the primary active which relieves irritation and itching), Ceramides (which support the skin's moisture barrier), Glycerin (a moisturizing agent), and Panthenol (which enhances hydration).

Where they begin to differ is the fact that the Aveeno Eczema Therapy Soothing Cream's formula is *extremely* minimal, with it only additionally including the skin protectants Petrolatum and Dimethicone, as well as a few emulsifiers.

Cetaphil's Eczema Restoraderm Soothing Moisturizer is much less minimal—which isn't typically ideal for products intended for sensitive/eczema-prone skin—but this is forgivable given that the additional ingredients include: moisturizing Sunflower Seed Oil, nourishing Shea Butter, protective Vitamin E, protective Arginine, soothing Niacinamide, soothing Allantoin, moisturizing Sodium PCA, and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid.

Most importantly, it contains AD-RESYL® (Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract), specifically developed to prevent the clinical signs of atopic dermatitis—the most common type of eczema. Cetaphil's bonus ingredients come at a cost, though, so you'll find that Aveeno's is slightly cheaper per fluid ounce.

If the NEA seal of acceptance wasn't convincing enough, the near-perfect reviews should be. These formulas are adored worldwide for their symptom-soothing abilities, and it really is just a case of picking one up and giving it a go for yourself.

The Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Soothing Moisturizer is justifiably more expensive thanks to its more extensive formula, and you certainly wouldn't regret paying the extra few bucks. But if you're on a tight budget, then Aveeno will still do the trick.

Aveeno vs Cetaphil Conclusion

Aveeno and Cetaphil are considered popular skincare brands, especially in the US. They are well recognized when it comes to the treatment of sensitive skin. However, are there any issues worth discussing? Yes - the issue of particular "nasties" (i.e., ingredients that don't necessarily belong being slathered onto sensitive skin).

In the Aveeno range, the use of Petrolatum (a mineral oil jelly) and Benzyl Alcohol (a preservative that can irritate the skin) has been noted to cause potential problems for eczema. Some products also contain other ingredients of concern, including Butylated Hydroxytoluene and Chlorhexidine Gluconate, which can cause skin irritation.

In the Cetaphil range, the use of Benzyl Alcohol and Citric Acid (a mild acid that may bother sensitive skin) is again a potential problem for eczema-prone skin.

In summary, be sure to check the ingredient list even with skincare products marketed as safe for sensitive skin - such as those by Aveeno and Cetaphil!

To round off our review, here are our recommendations for the alternative ranges that Aveeno and Cetaphil offer.

Best Aveeno Ranges

For brightening:
Try Positively Radiant

For eczema relief:
Try Eczema Therapy

For sensitive skin:
Try Calm+Restore

Best Cetaphil Ranges

For the body:
Try Moisturizing Cream

For makeup removal:
Try Gentle Makeup Wipes

For body washing:
Try Ultra Gentle Body Wash

Work in progress

You have been reading a post that we are constantly updating. Be sure to bookmark this page, subscribe, and come back later to see additions to the definitive Aveeno vs Cetaphil guide!

This article was originally published on February 14th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on January 26th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.