CeraVe vs Neutrogena 2023 (The Definitive Guide)

In this article, we will be comparing a selection of products by CeraVe and Neutrogena that have been specially formulated to keep your skin's moisture barrier—which is all too often neglected—nice and healthy.

Dry, sensitive, irritable, blemish-prone, or even just mildly dehydrated skin often implies a damaged, weakened, or compromised natural moisture barrier that requires additional hydration and support.

The following products are incredibly hydrating, with the ability to lock in moisture from morning to night, and contain active ingredients that calm sensitive skin, such as ceramides and humectants.

Cleansers

Hydrating cleanser

Foaming cleanser

Moisturizers

Body moisturizer

Day cream

Night cream

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CeraVe vs Neutrogena Cleanser

Hydrating cleanser comparison

CeraVe has formulated their Hydrating Facial Cleanser for normal to dry skin. It effectively yet gently removes makeup, dirt, and oil without leaving the skin irritated or tight. This is due to the CeraVe technology that delivers all-day hydration with the addition of ceramides for the skin barrier and hyaluronic acid for moisture retention. The cleanser is accepted by the National Eczema Association and developed by dermatologists for sensitive skin. In addition, the cleanser is fragrance-free and non-comedogenic.

Neutrogena brings an innovative cleansing technology with their Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser designed especially for dry skin types. The cleanser activates when mixed with water to increase hydration and leave the skin feeling clean and refreshed. Hyaluronic acid is a critical ingredient in this cleanser. It is also suitable for sensitive skin and is dermatologically tested.

The CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Cleanser are formulated for normal-to-dry skin that finds itself in need of extra hydration throughout the day. Hyaluronic acid is the core ingredient in each of these cleansers, as it works to alleviate dry skin conditions by helping the skin hold on to water.

To conclude, although both boast incredible consumer ratings as well as very similar claims and efficacy, we believe the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser just about pulls out in front. The addition of essential ceramides not only helps to restore a weakened moisture barrier, but also helps to maintain a healthy one, thus heavily contributing towards our goals of achieving naturally clear and beautiful skin.

Foaming cleanser comparison

If you are searching for a product that works to deeply cleanse the skin of excess oil or makeup, and remove any trace of dirt, then the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser may be for you! This cleanser features three impressive ingredients that won’t disrupt the delicate balance of the skin barrier; ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. A gel-based foaming cleanser is suitable for normal to oily skin and provides a foaming action on the application when mixed with water. Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that calms the skin, reduces redness, treats hyperpigmentation, and regulates oil balance.

The Ultra Gentle Cleanser by Neutrogena is a hypoallergenic cleanser that won’t damage the skin’s natural moisture barrier. The cleanser gently removes oil, dirt, bacteria, and makeup without the addition of harsh ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. The good news is this cleanser is soap-free. Soap can do more harm than good for sensitive skin, and the ingredients are too harsh for dry skin. The Ultra Gentle Cleanser is clinically proven suitable for sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and rosacea.

All in all this is another tight-run race, and our preference merely comes down to a couple of intricacies. The addition of Niacinamide in CeraVe's foaming cleanser is almost enough to sway us on its own, but it is actually the fact that Neutrogena's Ultra Gentle Cleanser isn't fragrance-free that seals the deal. CeraVe's Foaming Facial Cleanser is therefore much more likely to be tolerable on your skin, making it the better option overall.

CeraVe vs Neutrogena Moisturizer

Body moisturizer comparison

Treating a damaged skin barrier can be complicated and frustrating. A damaged skin barrier will often lead to itchy, dry, hyper-reactive skin sensitive to harsh ingredients. The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream works to target these problematic skin conditions by improving the strength of the skin barrier and offering intense hydration. It is formulated to absorb quickly into the skin with the patented MVE Delivery Technology, which keeps skin hydrated throughout the day. The cream is ideal for both face and body and can be applied as needed morning and night. Furthermore, this cream is fragrance-free!

A best-seller and an award-winning product, the Hydro Boost Water Gel is one of Neutrogena’s holy grail products. It works to hydrate the skin instantly and can be worn as a primer under makeup or on its own for fresh, radiant skin. The gel is formulated for dry skin and is best applied to the face and neck after cleansing. As part of the popular Hydro Boost skincare line, this product is for dry skin, and there is a Hydro Boost Gel for very dry skin. While the dry skin option is alcohol-free, it does contain fragrance in the ingredient list. However, the very dry option is both alcohol and fragrance-free.

Fragrance is not recommended for dry skin, as it may cause irritation and further damage the skin barrier. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, fragrance is the leading cause of cosmetic contact dermatitis.

It is for this reason that, once again, we are erring on the side of CeraVe with their Moisturizing Cream.

Daily moisturizer comparison

Protecting sensitive skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays is critical when working with a damaged skin barrier. One primary concern about sunscreen and sun protection is clogged or blocked pores. The CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores or cause acne flare-ups.

The lotion uses a broad-spectrum sunscreen with InVisibleZinc Technology (zinc oxide), ideal for all skin types. In addition to SPF 30, it contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides to maintain daily moisture.

The Neutrogena Oil-Free range includes this lightweight moisturizer with SPF 35. It has been clinically proven adequate sun protection with a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protector free from alcohol and fragrance. This hypoallergenic facial moisturizer is ideal for sensitive skin and can be worn alone or under makeup.

It is important to note that this product contains 6% oxybenzone as an active ingredient. New research has shown that oxybenzone may be an endocrine disrupter. Therefore, the European Commission proposes a concentration limit in sunscreen of 2.2%. In the US, manufacturers can legally add up to 6% oxybenzone to products such as sunscreen. Furthermore, oxybenzone can cause allergic skin reactions, and exposure to oxybenzone has been linked to an increased risk of endometriosis.

Therefore, continuing the trend of CeraVe's complete hegemony, we prefer CeraVe's AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. That said, we would highly recommend taking a look at Neutrogena's Oil-Free Moisturizers without SPF, as they are fantastic moisturizers (without the egregious inclusion of oxybenzone).

Night cream comparison

Like the AM moisturizer, the PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion works to hydrate dry and sensitive skin. A night cream is the best way to hydrate your skin before you sleep so you can wake up with a radiant, healthy glow. This formula contains the same trio of impressive ingredients featured throughout the CeraVe range, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and niacinamide.

Next up for comparison is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Sleeping Cream. A night cream that has been specifically designed to improve resistance to dehydration during sleep and boost hydration levels. It features hyaluronic acid but also adds botanical trehalose to the ingredient list. When used in skincare, trehalose is a type of sugar that can protect the skin barrier. This cream can be applied to the face and neck in the evening for intense rehydration.

We much prefer Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Sleeping Cream. Not just because of a few concerning customer reviews for CeraVe's (though that certainly helps), but rather because the lightweight texture of Neutrogena's is so much more comfortable for overnight use. Your skin literally drinks it up, meaning that it doesn't just end up all over your pillows in your sleep.

About the brands

CeraVe

L’Oreal successfully acquired CeraVe in 2017, a skincare brand founded in 2005 in the United States. Since CeraVe came onto the scene, it has produced a wide range of skincare products, including sun protection, moisturizers, cleansers, and treatment serums. L’Oreal is a French cosmetic company and a leading global brand in sales and skincare research.

CeraVe has earned a reputation for being a dermatologically approved skincare line with over 20 products now recommended by the National Eczema Association. Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe uses three different ceramides in many of its products formulated to be non-irritating and fragrance-free.

Did you know that ceramides are lipids? Lipids help protect the skin barrier and work to retain moisture. A damaged skin barrier is one of the target skin concerns CeraVe products use ceramide technology to restore and hydrate dry, sensitive skin.

Neutrogena

Owned by the parent company Johnson & Johnson, Neutrogena is a science-driven skincare line known for its practical, affordable products. In 1930 by Emanuel Stolaroff, the brand was previously called Natone and was later named Neutrogena.

Neutrogena is known for its range of skincare and cosmetic products, including cleansing bars, moisturizers, serums, treatments, and toners. The Hydro Boost skincare range has been infused with purified hyaluronic acid, which improves the skin’s moisture barrier to create soft and radiant skin.