Two of the most popular brands on the market right now are Cetaphil and Eucerin. But which should you choose?
Today, we will be comparing three products from both brands to help you determine which is a better fit for you and your skincare routine!
Cetaphil vs Eucerin Cleanser
A facial cleanser is a necessity in everyone’s skincare routine. An excellent cleanser will effectively remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other pollutants from the skin’s surface. It will help keep your pores clear and decrease the chances of your skin breaking out with acne. But, crucially, it shouldn’t leave your skin feeling dry, raw, or irritated after use.
Both Cetaphil and Eucerin have a large assortment of fantastic cleansers to choose from. For today’s article, though, we will be looking at Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser and Eucerin’s DermatoClean Refreshing Cleansing Gel. Both are touted as mild, gentle cleansers that are great for sensitive or dry skin, however, there are a few key differences to keep in mind.
Both cleansers have a gel texture and are designed for daily use. Both brands state that their products are safe for consumers with sensitive and dry skin types.
Let’s take a deeper look into the formulas. Both cleansers are fragrance-free, which is an excellent start. Synthetic fragrance and essential oils are the most common irritants found in personal care products.
Eucerin’s formula is alcohol-free, while Cetaphil’s formula does contain two variants of alcohol. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Cetaphil’s formula is subpar. The alcohols used in Cetaphil’s formula are cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. Both forms of alcohol work as an emollient that softens the skin’s surface and works particularly well with dry and sensitive skin types.
The primary concern lies with Cetaphil’s use of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). It is a surfactant that acts as a foaming agent that can help products cleanse better or more thoroughly by generating a decent lather. SLS binds to the proteins on the skin’s surface to strip away oils and debris to leave behind a squeaky-clean feeling. However, if you already have dry or extremely sensitive skin, this ingredient may trigger sensitivity and irritation.
Eucerin’s formula will be more hydrating for those with dry and sensitive skin. It uses a gentler surfactant, APG Complex, and has a higher concentration of moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and gluco-glycerol.
While Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser has a cult-like following, its use of SLS without many moisturizing ingredients may make it unsuitable for those who have dehydrated and sensitive skin. It is better suited for individuals who suffer from acne or excess sebum production.
We recommend Eucerin’s DermatoClean Refreshing Cleansing Gel for an effective yet gentle option for dryer skin types.
Pros
Contains hyaluronic acid
Cons
Less widely available
What makes it special? This mild but effective gel removes make-up and helps skin to breathe more easily. It contains APG Complex (an effective yet mild cleansing agent), Gluco-glycerol (a nature-derived moisturizing active), and Hyaluronic Acid (a skin care active with a high moisture-binding capacity). Clinical studies found it to be suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and it does not dry the skin out.
Cetaphil Face Wash
Award-winning cleanser for sensitive or dry skin that moisturises as it gently cleanses.
Pros
- Maintains natural pH balance
Cons
- Contains sodium lauryl sulfate
What makes it special? Cetaphil is a seriously gentle therapeutic skincare range, specially formulated for all skin types (including dry and sensitive) to provide effective, gentle skincare to help your skin look and feel its best. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser cleanses, moisturises and gently removes what your skin doesn’t need, without stripping away the skin’s natural protective oils, and without disturbing the skin’s natural pH balance.
Cetaphil vs Eucerin Moisturizer
Like a facial cleanser, a good moisturizing lotion is essential to your skincare regimen, as it will help to replenish lost moisture in the skin and reinforce the moisture barrier. We will be comparing Cetaphil’s Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion and Eucerin’s Daily Hydration Lotion.
Both brands’ versions of hydrating lotions are designed to alleviate signs of dryness and tout 24 hours of hydration. Both claim that they are ultra-lightweight, absorb quickly into the skin, and will not clog pores.
Their formulas are fragrance-free, dye-free, and paraben-free.
Cetaphil’s lotion is an oil-free formula that is excellent for individuals who have oily skin.
Eucerin’s lotion contains sunflower oil, an ingredient rich in antioxidants, and is better suited for those with drier skin types who prefer the feel and texture of a lightweight lotion.
Both lotions have excellent ingredients and will help replenish the skin’s moisture barrier. However, it is essential to determine your skin type before choosing between them.
If you have an oiler complexion that is prone to breakouts, Cetaphil’s oil-free lotion is better. It will hydrate your skin without clogging your pores.
If you have dryer skin that needs richer hydration but still desire something lightweight, Eucerin’s lotion is a better alternative.
Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion
Provides instant hydration to skin and locks in moisture to protect skin from dryness.
Pros
- Oil-free won't clog pores
Cons
- May not suit very dry skin
What makes it special? This ultra-light, oil-free moisturizer with hyaluronic acid instantly hydrates and locks in moisture for 24 hours to leave skin feeling balanced. It defends against 5 signs of skin sensitivity including dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier.
Pros
- Contains antioxidant sunflower oil
Cons
- More expensive option
What makes it special? Eucerin Daily Hydration Lotion is a perfect everyday lotion that delivers 24 hour moisture for soft, healthy-looking skin. The light-weight, fast absorbing lotion contains Pro-Vitamin B5 that moisturizes to protect and heal skin. The non-greasy formula is also enriched with Sunflower Oil which is rich in antioxidants.
Cetaphil vs Eucerin Lotion
If your skin is dehydrated or damaged, you need something richer that will replenish your skin’s moisture and help seal it in. Both brands offer intensive healing lotions that provide extra moisture to parched skin. We will be comparing Cetaphil’s Intensive Healing Lotion and Eucerin’s Advanced Repair Lotion.
The ingredient lists for both brands’ lotions are jam-packed with wonderful humectants and moisturizing factors that will deeply nourish dry skin.
Both formulas contain ceramides, an essential lipid that makes up about 40% of the epidermis. Ceramides protect the skin by strengthening the moisture barrier and preventing water from escaping the skin too quickly. It also shields the skin from harmful bacteria.
Both formulas are also fragrance-free, dye-free, and paraben-free.
The most significant difference between the two formulas is that Eucerin’s Advanced Repair Lotion contains alpha-hydroxy acids. AHAs will chemically exfoliate the skin, which is perfect for individuals who suffer from dry scales and rough, flaky patches of skin. However, AHAs will increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
Both brands’ lotions will be an excellent choice for individuals who suffer from dry skin. They have lovely hydrating ingredients that will effectively nourish your skin from within and help strengthen the moisture barrier.
If you’re looking for a basic hydrating cream without the bells and whistles, Cetaphil is the best option.
If you’re in the market for something that will improve your skin texture and help reduce roughness, Eucerin’s lotion is a better fit for you.
Eucerin Advanced Repair Body Lotion
A rich, repairing lotion that relieves irritated skin.
Pros
- Contains ceramides for barrier repair
Cons
- Contains alpha-hydroxy acids
What makes it special? Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion is a breakthrough in repairing very dry skin and provides 48 hour moisture, for skin that looks and feels healthy. This lightweight lotion - uniquely formulated with Ceramide-3 and Natural Moisturizing Factors - helps strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and replenish skin’s moisture reserves. It is fragrance-free, non-greasy, and is gentle for everyday use.
Cetaphil Intensive Healing Lotion with Ceramides 16 Oz
An intense skin solution for rough, flaky, sensitive skin.
Pros
- Contains amino acids and ceramides
Cons
- May not last full 24 hours
What makes it special? This intensive healing solution contains amino acids and ceramides—a lipid naturally found in skin cells and makes up about 50% of the epidermis. The ceramides hydrate the skin to repair its natural moisture barrier while the amino acids absorb moisture to keep the skin supple and soft. The lotion is also gentle on sensitive skin, repairing and reviving without irritation or inflammation. There have been disputes, however, that this lotion doesn’t truly last up to 24 hours or heal cracked skin.
Cetaphil vs Eucerin Conclusion
Both Cetaphil and Eucerin are fantastic brands with a loyal fanbase due to their outstanding products, business longevity, accessibility, and affordability. Both make excellent products that can help improve your skin’s condition. While you can’t necessarily go wrong with either brand, it’s essential to consider your skin type and what your skin needs, as this will certainly influence your decision one way or another.
To round off our review, here are our recommendations for the alternative ranges that Cetaphil and Eucerin offer.
Calum Torrington is the founder of FEMMENORDIC. He has worked as a beauty editor since 2020 and employs his analytical background in mathematics to thoroughly scrutinize complex INCI lists. Now, he helps over 1 million people per year to find the best beauty products.
