Nowadays, it seems like almost everyone is perfecting their skincare routine. Skincare can be a form of self-care and even help you unwind at the end of each day. You are showing love for yourself and your body. But it can be so expensive!
There is a huge misconception that you’ll need to spend a lot of money if you want an effective skincare routine. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Thankfully, there are hundreds of drugstore brands that offer high-quality products.
These drugstore brands will give you fantastic skin without draining your wallet. Some of the most popular brands that everyone seems to be raving about are CeraVe and Aquaphor. Both of these brands have truly stood the test of time.
However, what is the difference between Aquaphor and CeraVe? Some people may mix up these two brands up because they are both dermatologists tested and recommended. Their differences include product range, purpose, formulation, and more.
Thankfully, both of these brands are relatively affordable and accessible to almost everyone. However, the most crucial factor is that they both offer high-quality skincare products that work. Let’s talk a bit more about each brand so you can better understand which one is right for you.
Aquaphor
You may remember Aquaphor being a household staple product to have during the winter. However, Aquaphor is most known for its healing ointment that shares a lot of similarities with Vaseline. It protects the skin’s barrier against harsh external elements.
The Aquaphor Healing Ointment is a versatile product that can heal everything from chapped skin to minor burns. Aquaphor also offers a wide range of body care, lip care, baby care, and minor wound care products.
Most products also contain the same practical and efficient ingredients as their iconic Healing Ointment. Aquaphor is a brand that has successfully combined skincare concerns with minor first aid issues. So you genuinely get skincare that works for you.
Overall, Aquaphor is a fantastic brand that will protect your skin barrier. The brand formulates its products with nourishing ingredients like Glycerin and Panthenol. However, they are most notably known for using Petroleum too.
CeraVe
CeraVe is another drugstore brand that has been around for years. You may have even reached for this brand often as a teenager.
Even today, CeraVe is the go-to brand for many preteens, teens, and young adults. It is a famous derm-recommended brand.
CeraVe offers a huge product line that caters to every skincare concern. You may even be able to find a dupe for popular high-end skincare. Unlike Aquaphor, CeraVe produces products so you can have a complete routine within one brand.
According to CeraVe’s website, “CeraVe is the first and only brand to offer a full line of skincare products that contain an exclusive combination of three scientifically-identified essential ceramides.”
You can find almost any product imaginable from CeraVe. For example, they have created sunscreens, over-the-counter retinol, cleansers, moisturizers, and more. They even have their Healing Ointment that closely resembles Aquaphor.
Similarities & Differences
Aquaphor and CeraVe share many similarities. They are both affordable brands that can be found in almost any drugstore and even online. They both cater to specific skincare concerns. But what factors set these brands apart?
1. First Aid Vs Skincare
CeraVe can be seen as more of a skincare brand offering multiple products for the face/body. They also target common skincare concerns like acne, dry skin, sensitive skin, and anti-aging. Aquaphor, on the other hand, focuses more on first aid.
Most of Aquaphor’s products are soothing, healing, and contain similar ingredients as their healing ointments. While CeraVe focuses on using ceramides in skin care, Aquaphor uses other healing ingredients to treat minor cuts or burns.
So, if you are looking for a complete skincare line, CeraVe is the way to go. However, if you need an occlusive or a healing skin ointment, Aquaphor is better suited for those treatments.
2. Product Range
CeraVe and Aquaphor have drastically different product lines, which is excellent because you won’t be looking at the same redundant products. As mentioned earlier, CeraVe offers a complete product range for your skincare routine.
CeraVe will keep you covered for every step in your routine, including sunscreen, serums, cleansers, spot treatments, and more. They have multiple lines dedicated to every skin type and concern. Also, you will receive an effective and affordable formula.
Aquaphor also has a wide product range, but they have shifted their focus elsewhere. For example, Aquaphor has curated a complete body care line to soothe cracked skin, heal minor cuts/burns, and help improve moisture retention for the face and body.
While Aquaphor is a great skincare brand, they have a more significant focus on first aid. They have even created a Minor Wound Care product line that offers advanced and strengthened protection compared to their other healing ointments.
3. Ingredients
Both brands focus on what ingredients they love to incorporate in their products. For starters, CeraVe is all about the ceramides.
According to CeraVe, “skin naturally contains ceramides, which help keep moisture in, keep irritants out, and repair the skin barrier. Over time, ceramides become depleted, leading to dry, dull, irritated, or cracked skin.”
Aquaphor, on the other hand, uses multiple other ingredients to protect the skin’s barrier. One of the most prominent ingredients used to formulate Aquaphor products is petroleum, which is still being heavily debated whether or not it’s beneficial for the skin.
According to Healthline, “Aquaphor contains about 41% petroleum jelly and other ingredients, including mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, and more.” Many of Aquaphor’s products share the same components as the healing ointment.
However, you may find some ingredients that both CeraVe and Aquaphor use to formulate their products, like Panthenol and Glycerin.
4. Efficiency
These brands wouldn’t be so popular if they didn’t work. Both Aquaphor and CeraVe are dermatologist recommended and tested brands. They both cater to all skin types and work to improve your skin’s barrier, moisture, and texture.
While their products are drastically different, you will find that they share some ingredients. They both offer high-quality results without breaking the bank. Their products can last a lifetime, and you may even find your holy grails.
5. Price
Aquaphor and CeraVe have reasonable pricing for drugstore brands. While they aren’t necessarily the same, they are both very comparable in price.
You’ll be purchasing different products from each brand. For example, you won’t find sunscreen at Aquaphor, but CeraVe has multiple sunscreens in different SPF levels, tints, and formulas.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment Vs CeraVe Healing Ointment
Surprisingly enough, CeraVe also has its own version of a Healing Ointment. While Aquaphor has dedicated its entire branding to their Healing Ointment line, CeraVe offers only one Healing Ointment for sale.
Both are multi-use ointments that will work virtually anywhere on the body and the face. They are both formulated with more than 40% petroleum, and they both contain mineral oil as the following ingredients.
What sets them apart? CeraVe’s Healing Ointment will act more like a moisturizing component, while Aquaphor is more of an occlusive.
Aquaphor will do a better job at sealing in your skincare products, healing cracked skin/wounds, and reducing moisture loss. Regardless, they are both great and effective healing ointments to add to your routine.
Which Brand Is Right For You?
No matter what brand you prefer, both Aquaphor and CeraVe are amazing to stash in your skincare cabinet. You’ll find use with both brands and their products because they both focus on contrasting ways to help you heal and nurture your skin.
CeraVe is a fantastic brand for skincare newbies or those looking for quality products at an affordable price point. CeraVe will help you create a concise, complete, and well-rounded skin care routine day and night.
Aquaphor is an amazing brand to help retain moisture in your skin, as well as act as an intense treatment. Aquaphor’s product line will cater to cracked, cut, or wounded skin, and they have perfected a line of body products.
Both Aquaphor and CeraVe offer a Healing Ointment. They share similar ingredients like petroleum jelly and mineral oil. However, they differ in texture, finish, feeling, and application, but nothing too drastic. They are both multi-purpose.
Overall, Aquaphor and CeraVe each bring something different to the table. Aquaphor has crafted the ideal line that is a balance of skincare and first aid. Meanwhile, CeraVe has infused its products with multiple ceramides your skin needs.
Each brand is valuable enough to be incorporated into your skincare routine. However, it will depend on your skin type, needs, and concerns to help decide which products will benefit you the most.
Which brand or product are you most excited to try?
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