Eucerin vs Gold Bond 2024 (The Definitive Guide)

Eucerin and Gold Bond are two brands you’re very likely to see in the beauty section of your local supermarket or drugstore. They are best known for their skin-nourishing creams and lotions, but which brand is better?

We’ll be comparing their best-sellers side-by-side so you can see which would suit you and your skin the best. Enjoy!

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Eucerin vs Gold Bond Lotion

If your skin is dehydrated or damaged, you need something rich that will replenish your skin’s moisture and help seal it in. Both brands offer rich, restorative lotions that provide extra moisture to parched skin. We will be comparing the Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion vs Gold Bond Healing Hydrating Lotion.

2024 update: The Skin Therapy Lotion is now known as the Gold Bond Healing Hydrating Lotion (packaging may vary).

With both lotions aiming to repair, heal, and deeply nourish dry skin back to health—and both boasting thousands of thankful reviews (indicating that they must be fairly good at least)—we're going to have to dig a little deeper into their formulas to find any real differences.

The Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion is specifically for dull, ashy, flaky skin (in other words, very dry skin). The formula is enriched with Natural Moisturizing Factors to help soften & moisturize, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (specifically Lactic Acid) to gently exfoliate the skin's surface for a smoother & softer texture, and Humectants to help the skin retain moisture.

The inclusion of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid is what sets it apart from typical dry skin lotions. Acids in skincare are not something to be concerned about; in fact, they have many benefits when used correctly, particularly when it comes to gentle exfoliation. Lactic Acid works on the uppermost layers of the skin’s surface (due to its larger molecular size) and offers an effective, gentle treatment for dry, flaky skin.

One of the most controversial aspects of Eucerin's Intensive Repair Lotion, though, is the inclusion of Mineral Oil. Included for its occlusive nature and ability to seal moisture into the skin, it does have a tendency to make products feel very thick. While some people (including us) quite like a thick, rich lotion when treating dry skin, others seem to find it unpleasant - hence the mixed reviews.

Gold Bond's Healing Hydrating Lotion, on the other hand, boasts a non-greasy formula that absorbs in 15 seconds. So if the thickness of Eucerin's lotion isn't for you, then perhaps you will prefer Gold Bond's.

It contains 7 intensive moisturizing agents including Aloe, Glycerin, and Petrolatum, as well as 3 skin-nurturing vitamins: Vitamin A (speeds up healing), Vitamin C (helps maintain healthy looking skin), Vitamin E (enhances protective function of skin). Note that it does not contain any AHAs unlike Eucerin's lotion, and its formula is purely focussed on increasing the skin's moisture levels and supporting the skin's compromised moisture barrier.

There's nothing controversial about this lotion, and the stellar reviews very much reflect that - some customers even going as far as to say that it works better than most eczema treatments, and if it's good enough to treat eczema, it's more than good enough to tackle dry skin.

All in all, while we appreciate the thought process behind Eucerin's Intensive Repair Lotion with the inclusion of mild exfoliants to help treat the symptoms of dryness (e.g. flakiness, roughness), the Gold Bond Healing Hydrating Lotion better treats the root causes of dryness, therefore winning our favor.

Eucerin vs Gold Bond Eczema Relief Cream

Eczema is a skin condition characterized by patches of itchy, inflamed skin. Emollient creams create a protective barrier, trapping moisture in the skin as well as helping to ease the uncomfortable symptoms of eczema.

Two of the best eczema relief creams are: the Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream and the Gold Bond Cream for Eczema Relief.

2024 update: The Gold Bond Cream Eczema Relief Cream has a new look! Don't worry, though, the formula hasn't changed; just be wary that different retailers might stock different versions of the packaging.

Truth be told, both of these products are incredibly similar. Both creams contain Colloidal Oatmeal which temporarily protects and helps relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to eczema. Both formulas also contain Ceramides which help strengthen the skin's protective barrier. Needless to say, both products are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, dye-free, and steroid-free.

Where they differ is the fact that Eucerin's cream also includes Licochalcone (a licorice root extract) which further helps to soothe irritated skin, while Gold Bond's includes Vitamin A (speeds up healing), Vitamin C (helps maintain healthy looking skin), Vitamin E (enhances protective function of skin). A more petty difference is the fact that Gold Bond's cream contains 2% soothing Colloidal Oatmeal, whereas Eucerin's only contains 1%.

It might also be worth noting that Gold Bond has the "Seal of Acceptance" from the National Eczema Association, whereas Eucerin doesn't. That's not to say that Eucerin's products aren't good for eczema, though, and is more likely just due to Gold Bond being an American brand and Eucerin being a European brand.

Both products are raved about all over the world; Gold Bond moreso in the US, and Eucerin moreso in the EU. If you're seeking relief from eczema, either cream will work wonders for you, and the differences between the two are marginal at best. The only real difference worth noting is that the Gold Bond Eczema Relief Cream contains 2% Colloidal Oatmeal whereas the Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream only contains 1%.

Eucerin vs Gold Bond Hand Cream

Using a hand cream is the best way to repair and restore damaged, cracked, itchy, or flaky hands, ensuring that they return to being healthily smooth and comfortably soft. Two of the most popular hand creams are the Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream and the Gold Bond Healing Hand Cream.

2024 update: Like the eczema cream, the Gold Bond Hand Cream has had an update to its packaging since we originally published comparison. The formula appears to unchanged, however.

There are heavy parallels between these hand creams and the lotions we reviewed towards the beginning of this article. So as not to completely repeat ourselves, we'll just cut to the chase here.

The inclusion of AHAs in Eucerin's Advanced Repair Hand Cream—while intended as a major plus, for its flake reducing ability—is met with controversy, as many customers unfortunately experience increased irritation and a burning sensation after use.

The Gold Bond Healing Hand Cream on the other hand is adored for its keen focus on moisturization and supporting the skin's natural moisture barrier.

All in all, it's an easy choice. Gold Bond's Healing Hand Cream is our top pick.

This article was originally published on May 20th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 6th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.