CeraVe vs Cetaphil Cleanser: Which one is Best for your Skin Type?
Confused between choosing CeraVe or Cetaphil cleanser? This article explains the key differences, similarities and pros and cons of each.

Taking good care of your skin requires investing in fine-quality skincare products. When it comes to products to hydrate and cleanse your skin, few brands immediately hit your mind e.g. CeraVe products, Cetaphil products, and several others.
CeraVe and Cetaphil, both are premium-quality, affordable products that exert wondrous effects on your skin. Choosing one among CeraVe and Cetaphil becomes a challenging task.
Your skin type and skin conditions also determine the product on which you need to get your hands on, such as a moisturizing cream or a skin cleanser.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you buy from my link I might make a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay. See the full affiliate disclosure here.
The basic difference that is mostly marked between CeraVe and Cetaphil is that the former works for people with dry skin, while the latter works for people with sensitive skin.
Well… That’s not the only point that makes a contrast between CeraVe and Cetaphil.
Want to know more? Let’s dig into this article to know the key differences between these two products.
Related Guide: Best Cleansers for Hyperpigmentation
Are CeraVe and Cetaphil The Two Sides of a Same Coin?
To be honest, looking at CeraVe and Cetaphil leaves an impression in our minds that both are the same brand.
I also got the same notion about these products, because their packaging is almost same, they sound same and their general outlook is also same.
So, the confusion of people regarding both of these brands is justified.
Cetaphil Overview
Cetaphil is an older brand that developed in 1947 in Texas. It started as a simple brand that offered simple skincare products. It flourished through the years, providing effective formulas for sensitive and acne-prone skin, gaining massive love from customers.
Cetaphil offers a range of products, including cetaphil moisturizing cream and cetaphil restoraderm for skin care, which are effective in maintaining the skin barrier.
CeraVe Overview
CeraVe is a newer brand than Cetaphil. It originated in 2005 with the motive to focus on the rejuvenation of the skin by retaining the skin’s moisture barrier. Its products, like cerave hydrating cleanser, are jam-packed with ceramides that help in the protection of the skin’s outer barrier.
Later in 2017, CeraVe was acquired by Loreal. CeraVe also has products like cerave moisturizing cream and cerave moisturizer that are excellent for dry skin types, providing hydration through their unique formulas containing hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Crystal Clear Line: CeraVe vs Cetaphil
When talking about CeraVe and Cetaphil in general, there are certain differences that make a sharp line between these brands.
- Being a newer brand, CeraVe contains better range of formulas and ingredients that are well-suited to your skin issues. Ceramides, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid etc. all mostly found in its products. Cetaphil is somewhat older brand that has a range of simpler ingredients.
- CeraVe contains a better range of formulas and active ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, etc., to address various skin issues, including dry skin and oily skin. Cetaphil, as an older brand, has simpler ingredients like cetaphil gentle skin cleanser or cetaphil moisturizing cream.
- CeraVe includes products that are fragrance-free, while some of Cetaphil’s products contain fragrance, which may or may not suit people with sensitive skin.
CeraVe vs Cetaphil Cleansers
Both CeraVe and Cetaphil offer a wide range of options when it comes to cleansers. They are filled with exfoliating features and have different options that are perfectly suitable for different skin types, including face wash products.
Let’s have a look at the CeraVe and Cetaphil Cleansers.
For Dry Skins: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser V/s Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser
For dry skin, these two cleansers, by CeraVe and Cetaphil respectively, perform the function of skin cleansing without stripping off the necessary natural oils.
They are good options for removing grime and makeup without distorting the skin’s natural barrier.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
When it comes to EXTREMELY DRY SKIN, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is the perfect option.
Being filled with 1,3,6-ll Ceramides, it cleanses your skin, thus, keeping it hydrated all day long.
It contains hyaluronic acid that helps in the revitalization of the skin’s texture. It is a fragrance-free and non-comedogenic product without any irritating ingredients.
Also, it is super gentle on skin, removing all the dirt, oil and makeup.
Besides this, this CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is recommended by Dermatologists.
Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser
If you are having a SENSITIVE, DRY SKIN, then Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser should be your major pick.
It contains fewer ingredients that are super natural than CeraVe cleanser. It might cleanse your dry skin without causing any sort of irritation.
Propylene Glycol in Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser retains the moisture of the skin, making it a great option as a gentle skin cleanser for sensitive skin.
A good fragrance-free product for dry, sensitive skin.
For Oily Skin or Large Pores: CeraVe Foaming Cleanser or Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser
When it comes to cleansers for large pores or oily skins, CeraVe Foaming Cleanser and Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser come to your rescue.
Let’s know what works best for oily skins:
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
If you are having OILY, SENSITIVE SKIN, Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser serves to be the perfect option. It claims to remove 60% excess oil without triggering any sort of irritation on skin.
Its soap-free, gentle foaming action helps in perfectly cleansing your oily skin.
Besides this, it is an efficacious cleanser for deep-pore cleansing.
Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser
If you are having an OILY SKIN that has got much propensity for ACNES, you need to get your hands on CeraVe Foaming Cleanser.
It contains the usual 3-compound Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide formula that control the production of oils.
Besides this, it helps in the prevention of clogged pores, thereby reducing the chances of breakouts. Its anti-inflammatory features are worth-mentioning!
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, CeraVe and Cetaphil are both recommended by dermatologists. Both are titans in the skincare category, so their products are beyond any doubt. You just need to get the right cleanser and moisturizer according to your skin type.
After all, it’s the game of skin type, product ingredients, and its fine formula.
I hope this article solved many of your confusions regarding CeraVe and Cetaphil cleansers…






