Which Moisturizer Wins? Vanicream or CeraVe for Your Skin

We Tested These Popular Moisturizers Side-by-Side and Picked a Winner

Choosing the right moisturizer can feel overwhelming—especially when the beauty aisle is packed with countless options, each promising hydration, glow, and youthful skin.

Your skin type and personal preferences heavily influence what will work best for you, making the search feel even more daunting.

Two of the most talked-about daily moisturizers available at drugstores are Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.

It’s no accident these two are favorites among skincare enthusiasts and dermatologists alike.

Both products are gentle, affordable, and versatile, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

But despite their similarities, they differ enough in formulation, texture, and packaging to make one better suited for certain users than the other.

After testing both thoroughly, we’re breaking down everything you need to know—so you can decide which moisturizer might be the winner for your skin.

1. Who Is Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Best For?

In the vast world of facial moisturizers, finding a product free of common irritants can be surprisingly difficult.

Many contain dyes, fragrances, lanolin, parabens, or plant extracts—all ingredients that can trigger reactions or clog pores, especially if you have very sensitive skin.

Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer stands out because it excludes all of these controversial ingredients.

Its formula is simple, focusing on a handful of gentle, hydrating components such as:

Hyaluronic acid, which attracts and retains moisture in the skin

Ceramides, essential for repairing the skin’s protective barrier

Squalane, a lightweight oil that nourishes without feeling heavy or greasy

Because of this minimalist approach, Vanicream is often recommended for people with ultra-sensitive or acne-prone skin who need hydration without irritation or breakouts.

2. Who Should Consider CeraVe Moisturizing Cream?

If you want a rich, nourishing cream that works on both your face and body, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream deserves your attention.

This thick, creamy formula provides long-lasting moisture to dry patches anywhere—from your face to rough elbows and knees—without ever feeling greasy.

CeraVe is beloved by many, especially those with very dry or sensitive skin who need intense hydration. It contains:

Ceramides and hyaluronic acid, like Vanicream, to replenish the skin barrier and attract moisture

Dimethicone, a silicone-based ingredient that provides a smooth, silky texture and locks in moisture

One of the benefits of CeraVe is the sheer quantity you get per purchase. The large tubs last a long time, offering great value for those who need generous amounts of moisturizer daily.

What Did We Consider?

When comparing these two moisturizers, we looked carefully at:

Ingredients: Balancing hydration with sensitivity to avoid clogged pores and irritation

Packaging: Practicality and hygiene

Texture: How the cream feels and spreads on the skin

Value: Price relative to quality and quantity

Ingredients: Moisture Minus Sensitivity

Winner: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

I recently started using tretinoin, a prescription-strength cream that exfoliates the top layer of skin to treat acne.

While excited about the potential benefits, I was unprepared for the resulting flaky, dry patches.

To manage this, I needed a moisturizer that would provide intense hydration without clogging my pores or reacting badly with my acne medication.

After a detailed look at ingredient labels, I found that Vanicream contains gentle, non-comedogenic ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and squalane—ideal for sensitive skin prone to breakouts.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream also contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid and is well-known for its moisturizing power.

However, because its formula is thicker and includes more ingredients, including dimethicone, I noticed it gave me breakouts in some areas.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali explains, “While CeraVe’s ingredients are nearly identical to Vanicream’s, the presence of dimethicone in CeraVe helps with a smoother application but can clog pores in certain people.”

Dr. Bhanusali adds, “Overall, Vanicream is a dermatologist favorite for very sensitive skin because it sticks to essential ingredients only and avoids anything potentially irritating.”

Packaging: Pump vs. Tub

Winner: Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer

The design of a moisturizer’s container isn’t just about looks—it plays a big role in product hygiene and preservation.

Contamination can cause your moisturizer to harbor bacteria, which can lead to breakouts or infections.

Vanicream uses a squeeze tube, which limits exposure to air and reduces the chance of dirty fingers contaminating the product.

CeraVe, on the other hand, comes in a large tub, meaning you have to dip your fingers directly into the cream. This increases the risk of contamination, especially with daily use.

That said, some stores do stock CeraVe in bottles with pump dispensers or travel-sized tubes, so you may want to look for these options if hygiene is a concern.

Texture: Milky Lotion vs. Thick Cream

Winner: Tie!

Texture preferences vary widely from person to person, so this one is truly subjective.

Vanicream’s consistency is similar to a light, milky lotion.

It spreads easily and absorbs quickly, which works well for people with oily or combination skin or anyone who dislikes a heavy feeling on the face.

CeraVe’s moisturizer is rich and thick, offering a luxurious, creamy texture that takes a bit more effort to apply evenly.

This makes it ideal for those with dry or very dry skin who want deep hydration.

Personally, I have oily skin and prefer the lighter texture of Vanicream, but many on our team favored the rich creaminess of CeraVe.

Value: Fairly Priced for Different Needs

Winner: Tie!

Both Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream come at affordable prices relative to the drugstore market, typically ranging from about $10 to $20 depending on where you shop.

While I found better personal results with Vanicream, others with different skin types have had more success with CeraVe.

So value depends on what you need: Vanicream is less likely to clog pores and better suited for oily or acne-prone skin, whereas CeraVe is perfect for those seeking intense moisture for dry skin.

Regarding packaging, I prefer Vanicream’s squeeze tube for hygiene reasons. Still, CeraVe has improved some of its packaging with pump dispensers, which is a welcome update.

What to Expect When Purchasing a Moisturizer

Moisturizers can range in price from a few dollars to hundreds depending on brand and ingredients. When selecting your moisturizer, consider:

How often you’ll use it (daily use means investing in a formula you truly like)

What ingredients are most important to your skin’s health and needs

Your skin type (oily, dry, sensitive, combination)

The texture and feel you prefer on your skin

Both Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream offer excellent quality at reasonable prices. They’re powerful options that provide effective hydration without breaking the bank.

What Is Byrdie Validation?

You might have noticed the Byrdie Verified seal at the top of this article.

This mark indicates that our team has thoroughly researched and tested every product on the list using a unique approach focused on what readers want to know.

Sometimes, beauty brands send us products for review, but our opinions are entirely our own.

While we may earn commissions from purchases made through links in our content, we never accept payment for positive reviews or recommendations.

The Byrdie Verified seal stands for trustworthy, unbiased product guidance.

Final Verdict

If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, or you’re looking for a gentle daily facial moisturizer with minimal ingredients and a hygienic packaging design, Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer is likely the better choice.

If you have dry or very dry skin and want a rich, deeply hydrating cream that can also be used on your body, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a fantastic, budget-friendly option.

Ultimately, the “winner” depends on your unique skin type and personal preferences. Both products enjoy strong dermatologist support and positive user feedback, so you really can’t go wrong.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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