Cetaphil vs. Neutrogena

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

Previously, we took a look at Lancome vs Clinique; today, we will be comparing Cetaphil vs Neutrogena and their long raved about best-sellers to help you figure out which dermatologist recommended skincare brand better suits you!

Cetaphil vs Neutrogena Cleanser

With both brands being critically acclaimed for their gentle skin-loving formulations, it’s no surprise that their cleansers are some of the most popular skincare products in the world. But which is better? Well, we’re here to play devil’s advocate on this one, and our conclusion might not be what you’d expect.*

*2024 update: Alright, so Cetaphil has gone ahead and updated its formula which pretty much renders our "devil's advocate" point a bit moot, but we still think you'll find the conclusion helpful!

Truth be told, they’re not quite as gentle as they’re made out to be. Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser contains several parabens that have been known to sensitise the skin, and in severe instances, cause contact dermatitis.* Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel Cleanser doesn’t contain quite such egregious offenders, but it’s not entirely in the clear, as it contains fragrances which have also been known to sensitise the skin as well as sulfates.

*2024 update: Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser no longer contains parabens. Hurrah!

It’s not all doom and gloom, though! Both cleansers do of course have special qualities about them that potentially outweigh the downsides - how do you think they got so popular, otherwise?

Cetaphil’s cleanser is particularly popular for people struggling with problematic skin. This is because it contains Niacinamide and Panthenol, two ingredients that boast antioxidant, moisturizing, and soothing properties. Sensitivity, begone!

Furthermore, since it is completely oil-free, non-comedogenic, and astringent without being over-drying (due to the inclusion of Cetearyl alcohol), it is also excellent for those struggling with plain old regular acne, too.

Neutrogena’s cleanser is incredibly popular for an adjacent reason: hydration. It’s intensely hydrating formula containing Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and Vitamin E, combined with its fresh water-like gel texture makes it the ideal face wash for those dealing with dry skin.

So, to reiterate, if you’re struggling with sensitive skin, you'll love Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser, whereas if you’re trying to resolve dryness, Neutrogena’s Hydra Boost Gel Cleanser is the one for you.

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Cetaphil vs Neutrogena Moisturizer

Pitting two of their most popular moisturizers against each other leads us to the Neutrogena Oil-Free Face & Neck Moisturizer vs Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion. Tens of thousands of rave reviews between them vouch for their effectiveness, but there are a couple of considerations to take note of before making a purchase.

2024 update: Unfortunately, the Neutrogena Oil-Free Face & Neck Moisturizer has been officially discontinued. There's still some stock in circulation, so we'll be leaving this comparison intact for now, but it might be worth beginning to consider the alternatives such as Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Water Gel.

The most glaring similarity between the two is their keen focus on the moisture barrier.

While there’s plenty of great moisturisers out there that quickly and effectively bind moisture to the skin, surprisingly few address the actual root cause of dryness, dullness, and dehydration: a weakened or damaged moisture barrier.

Both Neutrogena’s and Cetaphil’s moisturisers contain dermatologist-recommended ingredients (such as glycerin and glyceryl stearate) that actively work to strengthen your skin’s natural protective barrier so as to enhance your skin’s ability to retain hydration, consequently yielding that coveted radiant glow.

The second obvious similarity is that they are both oil-free. This makes them particularly great for those with problematic, combination or oily skin, and also ensures that they are non-comedogenic.

One unfortunate similarity, though, is that both products contain silicones. This is certainly worth pause for thought, as silicones have been known to cause skin irritation - much like a mild allergy - for a small subset of people.

Further to this point, Neutrogena’s is also not free from parabens, which have also been known to cause similar issues. This is why it is important to patch test any and all new skincare products, regardless of popular opinion, before slathering your face with them!

The trade-off for Neutrogena’s ingredient-related sins is the inclusion of tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E), which is a wonder ingredient known to have powerful antioxidant benefits as well as further moisture barrier-supporting qualities.

Whether this makes up for the inclusion of silicones and parabens is ultimately up to you, as some people even like how these ingredients make their skin feel. As for us, though, we prefer Cetaphil’s Daily Hydrating Lotion.

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Cetaphil vs Neutrogena Sunscreen

As covered in our best French sunscreen post, sun exposure is responsible for 90% of the visible signs of ageing, so it is absolutely critical to have a high quality sunscreen as part of your daily skincare routine. Two of the most popular to choose from include Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70 Sunscreen Lotion and Cetaphil's Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 50+.

2024 update: Neutrogena have since released a version of theirs that is also oxybenzone-free (keep scrolling for a more in-depth description of that), although we're still personally erring on the side of Cetaphil on this one, especially since Cetaphil's doubles up as a day cream with fantastic moisturizing & antioxidant benefits.

Now, this one is a MUCH easier decision for us. Unfortunately, Neutrogena’s contains an ingredient called Oxybenzone. A quick Google search of this nasty little ingredient yields a slew of unsavoury results, and we think allgoodproducts.com hits the nail on the head with their summary:

“Oxybenzone is a cornucopia of nasty side effects. It’s considered a hazardous eye irritant and, as an allergen, is also known to cause skin allergies… It also causes hormone disruption in humans, affecting estrogen production in women and testosterone production in men”.

It is precisely for this reason why Cetaphil’s marketing for the Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 50+ emphasises that it is completely Oxybenzone free.

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Cetaphil vs Neutrogena Conclusion

The consensus with regards to the two brands as a whole follows neatly from the inferences we drew from the moisturizer comparison.

To reiterate, despite a myriad of gentleness claims, both unfortunately fall ever so slightly short due to the consistent inclusion of potentially irritating ingredients such as silicones and parabens in their formulas.

However, if you're willing to patch test (and happen to be fortunate enough to have skin that is unaffected by such ingredients), you will enjoy a multitude of benefits from their products, especially thanks to their keen focus on supporting your skin's natural moisture barrier.

So as not to ramble on forever, this article comprised comparisons of the most popular, best-selling products from the two brands. To round off our review, though, here are our recommendations for the alternative skincare products and ranges that Cetaphil and Neutrogena offer.