Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Cetaphil Ceramide Serum Versus CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Cetaphil Ceramide Serum Versus CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum Detailed comparison of Cetaphil Ceramide Serum versus CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum US. This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Saccharide Isomerate and Panthenol to strength

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Cetaphil Ceramide Serum Versus CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum Detailed comparison of Cetaphil Ceramide Serum versus CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum US. This barrier-repair serum is formulated around Saccharide Isomerate and Panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and hydrate skin. This hydrating serum is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Ceramide NP to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. Water Propanediol Glycerin 1,2-Hexanediol Saccharide Isomerate Panthenol Sodium PCA Carbomer Allantoin Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract Octyldodecanol Sodium Hydroxide Biosaccharide Gum-1 Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate Ethylhexylglycerin Ceramide NP Xanthan Gum Hydroxyethylcellulose Citric Acid Sodium Citrate Butylene Glycol Caprylyl Glycol Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract Hydrolyzed Malt Extract Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract Hyaluronic Acid Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Sodium Hyaluronate Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, Carbomer, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Octyldodecanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ceramide NP, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Hydrolyzed Malt Extract, Hydrolyzed Viola Tricolor Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate Dimethicone Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Cetearyl Alcohol Behentrimonium Methosulfate Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Cholesterol Phenoxyethanol Disodium EDTA Isopropyl Myristate Phytosphingosine Water, Glycerin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created. Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin. Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on). Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture. Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%. It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier. Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%. A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions. Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids. Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes. This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants. A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%. Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days. Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient. Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically. Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath. However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products. Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH. In skincare formulas, citric acid can: While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants. Most citric acid used in