Which One Is Higher? [2025]

Should you’ve been across the skincare block, you’ve in all probability heard the identify Cetaphil thrown round prefer it’s gospel. Dermatologist-recommended. Non-irritating. Perfume-free. Mainly the face of “protected” skincare. However Lubriderm? Not fairly as loud. It’s a type of merchandise you may need noticed in somebody’s drugs cupboard and gone, Wait, what’s that once more? It’s been round ceaselessly, typically sitting quietly in the identical aisle as the large names like Cetaphil and CeraVe, however someway it not often will get the highlight. So why is that?

Properly, for starters, Lubriderm doesn’t have the identical advertising muscle. It doesn’t associate with influencers, doesn’t have shiny packaging, and it’s not consistently being pushed in your Instagram feed. However right here’s the kicker: Lubriderm was truly developed by dermatologists. Like, actually created by pores and skin docs earlier than that grew to become a buzzword. So we’ve acquired two dermatologist-approved manufacturers, each fragrance-free (relying on the model), each sitting below $15, each claiming to provide you easy, wholesome pores and skin. However while you even have to decide on one, what do you have to go for? Which one has the perfect physique lotions? Let’s break all of it down.

Lubriderm VS Cetaphil Model Overview

CETAPHIL

Cetaphil has been round since 1947, when a pharmacist created the model’s iconic Cetaphil Cleaning Lotion (now often known as Cetaphil Mild Pores and skin Cleanser) for sufferers with delicate pores and skin. Since then, it’s constructed a full-on empire round being the “protected” selection, particularly for pores and skin situations like eczema, rosacea, or post-procedure pores and skin.

Over time, Cetaphil expanded into a variety of merchandise:

• Facial moisturizers (light-weight, wealthy, oil-free, and so on.)
• Physique lotions and lotions
• Cleansers (from creamy to foaming to acne-prone)
• SPF-infused skincare
• Child line and eczema vary
• “Professional” line focusing on redness, oil management, and ultra-sensitive pores and skin

It’s a go-to for dermatologists as a result of it’s delicate, fragrance-free (more often than not), and non-irritating – even when it’s not all the time the sexiest possibility in your skincare routine.

LUBRIDERM

Lubriderm got here onto the scene in 1945 when pharmacist Louis Schleuse created a light-weight lotion. For the primary few a long time, the model was used solely by dermatologists, hospitals, and pharmacists to deal with tough or itchy, dry pores and skin. It will definitely went OTC and have become a drugstore staple for easy, efficient physique care. In contrast to Cetaphil, Lubriderm doesn’t actually do facial skincare. Its focus is, and all the time has been, physique moisturizers for on a regular basis use. Whereas Cetaphil branched out right into a full skincare wardrobe, Lubriderm caught to what it does finest: simple, no-BS physique care that hydrates quick and sinks in clear.

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Lubriderm VS Cetaphil Key Components

Each Lubriderm and Cetaphil give attention to mild, non-irritating formulation, and their formulation present it. Each manufacturers use:

• Glycerin: A typical humectant that draws and binds water to the pores and skin, to maintain it hydrated for longer.
• Panthenol (Vitamin B5): It’s one other humectant with soothing properties. It will probably relax redness and irritations. 
• Mineral Oil: It creates a barrier on the pores and skin that forestalls moisture loss. It additionally prevents germs and irritants from coming involved with the pores and skin and aggravating it.
• Dimethicone: A silicone that creates a breathable (sure actually!) barrier on the pores and skin to cut back transepidermal water loss. It additionally fills in advantageous strains and wrinkles, so they give the impression of being smaller.
• Petrolatum (in richer formulation) – For long-lasting safety

The distinction? In Lubriderm, you received’t discover: plant oils, antioxidants, or any extracts. At most, merchandise comprise oat extract to cut back itchy and irritations and shea butter to moisturise pores and skin.  However you get the purpose. Solely what’s wanted to get dry pores and skin in prime form is right here.

Cetaphil makes use of nearly all the identical core elements, however typically provides in just a few mild emollients or antioxidants for additional skin-soothing advantages. Relying on the product, you’ll additionally discover:

• Candy Almond Oil / Avocado Oil: A light-weight oil that makes pores and skin softer and smoother.
• Vitamin E: A robust antioxidant that forestalls wrinkles
• Niacinamide: Present in particular strains like Cetaphil Professional, it does every little thing from moisturising pores and skin, soothing irritations, fading away darkish spots, and it even helps to deal with zits.

The consequence? Cetaphil feels a bit richer, nevertheless it’s constructed on the very same basis as Lubriderm.

Associated: Why You Want To Add Niacinamide To Your Skincare Routine

Lubriderm Every day Moisture Lotion VS Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion

These are the best-sellers. Those most individuals attain for with out pondering. And actually? They give the impression of being nearly interchangeable on the shelf. Comparable no-frills packaging, similar guarantees of light-weight hydration, similar “for delicate pores and skin” label. However while you truly use them, the distinction is evident.

Lubriderm Every day Moisture Lotion ($10.12) is a thicker system and higher for the winter months. It sinks in quick, doesn’t depart any residue, and feels prefer it vanishes the second you rub it in. Glycerin attracts additional moisture to the pores and skin, whereas the mix of mineral oil and shea butter create a protecting barrier that seals all of it in, so your pores and skin stays hydrated for hours. However the star of the present is avena sativa kernel oil. Research present  it has anti-inflammatory properties that may restore the pores and skin’s personal pure barrier and relax redness and irritation. It’s moisturiser for dry, delicate, and easily-irritated pores and skin. Obtainable at: Goal and Walmart

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion ($15.97), however, is thinner and higher for summer time months. A primary system, it accommodates glycerin, a hydrating ingredient, and Isopropyl Palmitate, an artificial emollient to moisturise it. (FYI, Isopropyl Palmitate IS comedogenic – preserve that in thoughts you probably have acne-prone pores and skin. All the great elements, like moisturising avocado oil and skin-soothing niacinamide, are additional down the ingredient record. Translation: there’s not a lot of them right here. They do one thing, however not the heavy lifting, if what I imply. Obtainable at: Goal and Walmart

Personally, I want Lubriderm. They each have very primary formulation, however to me Lubriderm is a extra nourishing and soothing physique moisturizer, and an excellent possibility for tough pores and skin too.

Lubriderm Every day Moisture Physique Wash Evenly Scented VS Cetaphil Mild Pores and skin Cleanser

Cetaphil Mild Pores and skin Cleanser is, maybe, probably the most well-known cleansers on the drugstore. Lubriderm Every day Moisture Physique Wash Evenly Scented is likely one of the solely two cleansers Lubriderm makes. And technically, it’s not even a face cleanser – regardless that it may be used there. So, which one is best?

Lubriderm Every day Moisture Physique Wash Evenly Scented ($7.99) is simply what the physician ordered for delicate pores and skin sorts. It makes use of the gentler cleaning brokers available on the market and pairs them with shea butter to moisturise pores and skin whereas impurities and dirt are washed away down the drain. Plus, a beneficiant dollop of avena sativa to make the cleaning course of much more soothing. The one con is the scent – it all the time have the potential to annoy pores and skin. However then, once more, this one is so delicate, it’s possible you’ll not even really feel it. Do a patch take a look at, simply in case. Obtainable at: Goal and Walmart

Cetaphil Mild Pores and skin Cleanser ($11.99) has gently been reformulated. Out are the cruel surfactants of all. Now, the system embody fatty alcohols and the gentlest cleaning agent to soften away filth and impurities whereas holding pores and skin moisturised. It additionally has a dollop of niacinamide to nourish pores and skin because the cleaning job is underway. It’s fragrance-free, which is all the time a bonus for delicate pores and skin. It’s a really primary system that doesn’t disrupt the pores and skin’s pure moisture barrier. I solely advocate it to delicate pores and skin that may’t tolerate the rest. Obtainable at: Goal and Walmart

As soon as once more, my private vote goes to Lubriderm. It’s true it has perfume (and perfume has no place in skincare), but when your pores and skin’s not bothered by it, it does the cleaning job higher. 

Which Is Higher For Dry Pores and skin: Lubriderm Or Cetaphil?

It actually is determined by the product. However, I’ll say this. If I’m at Ulta and in search of moisturizer for dry pores and skin, I’d go along with Lubriderm. The mix of mineral oil and glycerin in Every day Moisture Lotion is sufficient to make even the driest of pores and skin sorts softer and smoother once more. Plus, I’m an enormous fan of oats in skincare. They’re so soothing! Their physique wash is evenly perfume, but when your pores and skin isn’t bothered by that, it does cleanse higher. 

Cetaphil has good formulation, however the bulk of their moisturising lotions is artificial emollients with the potential to clog pores. I do know, not an enormous danger for dry pores and skin. Plus, it’s much less hydrating. And that does make a special for dry pores and skin.

Associated: The Greatest Skincare Routine For Dry Pores and skin

Which Is Safer For Delicate Pores and skin: Lubriderm Or Cetaphil?

Once more, we are able to’t generalise. You may’t actually evaluate manufacturers. It’s about evaluating product to product. When it accommodates to a day by day moisturizer in your physique, however vote goes as soon as once more to Lubriderm. Like it or hate it, mineral oil creates a barrier that protects pores and skin from all its enemies. Nothing will get by means of! Plus, it’s all concerning the oats for me. When your pores and skin’s itchy or pink or is recovering from an allergic response, they’ll soothe it again to well being. Cetaphil lotions are good, simply… extra primary. They moisturise and have some soothing powers, simply lower than Lubriderm.

Relating to a cleanser, the tables flip. Lubriderm physique + face cleansers are nice, however comprise perfume. And irrespective of how delicate the perfume is, it all the time has the potential to be irritating for delicate pores and skin. Cetaphil Mild Cleanser doesn’t cleanse as effectively, nevertheless it’s filled with moisturising elements and freed from perfume, making it possibility for delicate pores and skin.

Lubriderm VS Cetaphil: Which Is Higher For Totally different Pores and skin Sorts?

This one is straightforward. Cetaphil wins fingers down. Should you’ve learn this far, you’ve in all probability found out I’ve a slight bias in the direction of Lubriderm. BUT Lubriderm is a one-trick pony. Their product line solely consists of physique lotions (that may be typically used on the face) and the off physique wash for dry and delicate pores and skin. That’s it.

Cetaphil, however, has private care merchandise that concentrate on a wide range of pores and skin sorts. Zits-prone & blemished? Verify. Uninteresting & dehydrated? Verify. Eczema-prone? Verify. Now, does that imply they make the perfect moisturisers and skincare merchandise for all these situations? After all not! As soon as once more, you have to take a look at it product by merchandise. Some are wonderful, others are higher left on the cabinets. All I’m saying is, you probably have a special pores and skin sort that dry and delicate, you’ll discover one thing at Cetaphil. Lubriderm has nothing for you. 

Which Is Extra Efficient For Eczema: Lubriderm Or Cetaphil?

Cetaphil has a product referred to as PRO Itch Inclined Moisturising Physique Lotion, formulated particularly for eczema-prone pores and skin. You’d suppose that’s be my best choice. Not a lot. I discover this light-weight moisturizer terribly boring. It has a mixture of shea butter and sunflower oil to moisturise pores and skin, nevertheless it’s no more moisturising than your common lotion. As for soothing elements? It solely has the tiniest sprinkle of allantoin and panthenol. They’ve anti-inflammatory properties, however in these small quantities, they received’t do a lot. It’s a pleasant possibility for regular to dry pores and skin. It’s simply not my first selection for eczema-prone pores and skin, if know what I imply.

Most Lubriderm dry pores and skin moisturisers comprise a mix of mineral oil and colloidal oatmeal. And that’s a significantly better bland for eczema-prone pores and skin. Mineral oil has a foul rep, nevertheless it undergoes a deeply purifying course of that removes all toxins from it. What’s left is uncontaminated by toxins, pollen, pure resins and something that might irritate pores and skin. Plus, I’ve already shared concerning the soothing properties of oats. They’re probably the greatest issues to place in your pores and skin when’s infected.

Are Lubriderm & Cetaphil Good For Zits-Inclined Pores and skin?

Once more, it is determined by the product. A few of Cetaphil moisturisers have a excessive dollop of Isopropyl Palmitate, an ingredient that by no means fails to interrupt me out (and my pores and skin isn’t even acne-prone!). So preserve a watch out for that. 

Lubriderm dry pores and skin moisturizers are loaded with occlusive elements like mineral oil. You’d suppose they clogged your pores like loopy! In actuality, mineral oil itself isn’t comedogenic. However, it will possibly entice comedogenic elements below the protecting barrier it creates to maintain moisture into the pores and skin and germs out of it. So, in the event you’re utilizing a serum with, let’s say, Isopropyl Palmitate, and then you definately later mineral oil on prime, you’ll expertise breakouts.

The Backside Line

If in case you have dry or delicate pores and skin and desire a no-fuss, efficient physique moisturizer, Lubriderm wins. It might not be stylish, nevertheless it delivers. The formulation are simple, barrier-supporting, and quietly extra nourishing than most of what Cetaphil provides – particularly for the worth. Cetaphil, however, is the extra versatile model. It has choices for acne-prone, oily, dehydrated, and eczema-prone pores and skin. Some are nice. Some are forgettable. However in the event you’re in search of a full routine and wish every little thing from cleanser to SPF in a single place, Cetaphil provides you extra to work with. So which one is best?

In case your pores and skin is dry and also you simply need one thing that works – go Lubriderm.
Should you’re coping with different pores and skin issues or want extra selection – go Cetaphil.

Simply don’t purchase into the hype. Each manufacturers are easy, stable, and higher than half the overpriced jars on the “clear magnificence” shelf.

About Gio

Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – each day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that will help you determine what’s well worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that will help you create the perfect skincare routine in your distinctive wants.