CeraVe vs Neutrogena: Acne, Sunscreen and Skin-Repair Labels

Quick Answer: CeraVe labels list L’Oréal USA; Neutrogena labels list Kenvue. Both sell a 2% salicylic acid acne cleanser (CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser; Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash). CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30 combines zinc oxide 7% with homosalate 6%, octisalate 5% and octocrylene 5%; Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 uses avobenzone 2.5%, homosalate 6%, octisalate 4.5% and octocrylene 8%. Neutrogena sells an adapalene 0.1% gel; we found none from CeraVe on DailyMed. CeraVe has Drug Facts products for eczema (colloidal oatmeal 1%), itch (pramoxine 1%) and a 49.5% petrolatum healing ointment. Unpaid; no winner.

CeraVe vs Neutrogena at a Glance

Category	CeraVe (label)	Neutrogena (label)
Owner on label	L’Oréal USA	Kenvue
Salicylic acid cleanser	Acne Control Cleanser: 2%	Oil-Free Acne Wash: 2%
Sunscreen SPF 30	Hydrating Sheer: zinc oxide 7%, homosalate 6%, octisalate 5%, octocrylene 5%	Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch: avobenzone 2.5%, homosalate 6%, octisalate 4.5%, octocrylene 8%
Adapalene 0.1%	None found on DailyMed	Evenly Clear Adapalene Gel
Eczema skin protectant	Eczema Relief cream: colloidal oatmeal 1%	None found on DailyMed
Itch relief	Itch Relief cream: pramoxine HCl 1%	None found on DailyMed
Healing ointment	Healing Ointment: petrolatum 49.5%	None found on DailyMed

Doses above are from the current U.S. Drug Facts or prescribing labels listed in Sources. Always follow the label on the package you buy, because store brands and formulations differ.

How We Compared

Acne treatments, sunscreens, skin protectants and external analgesics are OTC drugs in the US, so their active ingredients appear on Drug Facts labels published on DailyMed. We chose representative products from each brand and compared those labels. Cosmetic moisturizers and cleansers without drug claims are not included. Product lines change, so check the package you buy. FormulaCompare was not paid by either brand and does not name a winner. For related brand comparisons, see CeraVe vs Cetaphil, La Roche-Posay vs CeraVe and Neutrogena vs Aveeno.

Acne Cleansers

CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser and Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash both list salicylic acid 2% as the active ingredient for acne. The CeraVe label’s ingredient list also includes niacinamide, ceramides and hyaluronic acid among inactive ingredients. Both labels warn that irritation and dryness are more likely when using another topical acne product at the same time, and to use only one at a time if irritation occurs. The CeraVe label also says to ask a doctor before use if you have severe acne. See salicylic acid vs benzoyl peroxide.

Sunscreens

CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30 (face and body) combines one mineral filter, zinc oxide 7%, with three organic filters: homosalate 6%, octisalate 5% and octocrylene 5%. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 uses four organic filters, including avobenzone 2.5%. Both labels direct reapplication after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying, and at least every 2 hours, and both carry the standard broad-spectrum skin cancer and early skin aging statement. Neutrogena also sells all-mineral options; see zinc oxide vs titanium dioxide.

Retinoid

Neutrogena Evenly Clear Retinoid Adapalene Gel 0.1% lists the same active ingredient and strength as Differin gel, with once-daily, whole-area directions and a warning that applying more will not give faster results. We did not find a CeraVe adapalene product on DailyMed. See Differin vs retinol.

Eczema, Itch and Skin Repair

CeraVe Eczema Relief Moisturizing Cream lists colloidal oatmeal 1% as a skin protectant for minor irritation and itching due to eczema and rashes. CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream lists pramoxine hydrochloride 1%, an external analgesic for temporary itch relief. CeraVe Healing Ointment lists petrolatum 49.5% to temporarily protect minor cuts, scrapes and burns and chapped or cracked skin and lips; it says not to use on deep or puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns. Each label says to stop and ask a doctor if the condition worsens or lasts more than 7 days. We did not find Neutrogena Drug Facts products in these categories. See Aquaphor vs Vaseline.

Putting It Together: Common Situations

The scenarios below summarize what the labels and guidelines cited on this page say. They are general information, not a personal treatment plan. Your pharmacist can check the choice against your other medicines, and your clinician can tailor it to your health history.

Oily, acne-prone skin: both brands offer a 2% salicylic acid cleanser.
Want a retinoid without a prescription: Neutrogena sells adapalene 0.1% gel.
Dry, itchy or eczema-prone skin: CeraVe has colloidal oatmeal and pramoxine Drug Facts creams.

How to Read the Label Before You Buy

Find the active ingredient first. Brand names are often reused across products with different ingredients. The active ingredient and its strength appear at the top of the Drug Facts or Supplement Facts panel.
Check the “Uses” or labeled indication. A product is tested and labeled for specific uses. Using it for something else may not help.
Read the “Do not use” and “Ask a doctor before use” sections. They list conditions and medicines where the product may be unsafe.
Follow the directions for dose and duration. Note the maximum daily amount and how many days you can use it before checking with a clinician.
Check for duplicate ingredients. Combination products can contain the same ingredient as something else you take, which raises the risk of taking too much.
Note the “Stop use and ask a doctor” signs. These are the label’s own warning signs that a product is not working or is causing harm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Combining several acne products at once, which both acne labels warn increases irritation.
Skipping sunscreen reapplication every 2 hours outdoors.
Assuming two products with similar names are interchangeable. Compare the active ingredients and strengths instead of the packaging.
Forgetting to tell your clinician. Keep a current list of every prescription, OTC medicine and supplement you take, and bring it to appointments and the pharmacy.

FormulaCompare does not recommend one brand over another. Use the sources below to check the details for the exact product in front of you, since formulas and labels can change.

Reading Drug Facts on Skincare

When a skincare product makes a drug claim, such as treating acne, protecting against sunburn or relieving itch, it must carry a Drug Facts box listing the active ingredient, its percentage and purpose, uses, warnings and directions. Compare products by that box rather than by front-of-pack wording. Inactive ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide or hyaluronic acid may affect feel and tolerance but are not the active drug. The FDA sunscreen guidance recommends broad spectrum SPF 15 or higher together with other sun protection measures.

Patch-Testing New Products

If you have sensitive skin, try a small amount of a new product on a limited area for several days before using it more widely. Introduce one new active product at a time so you can tell what is causing any irritation. Stop a product that causes a rash, and follow each label’s stop-use directions. Keep products out of the eyes, and if you have a skin condition under a clinician’s care, ask before adding new active ingredients to your routine.

When to Talk to Your Doctor or Pharmacist

See a dermatologist for acne that scars or does not improve after about 12 weeks, eczema that oozes, crusts or spreads, itch lasting more than 7 days, or a rash after starting a new product. Seek urgent care for deep wounds, animal bites or serious burns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns CeraVe and Neutrogena?

CeraVe labels list L’Oréal USA; Neutrogena labels list Kenvue.

Are CeraVe and Neutrogena acne cleansers the same strength?

The two compared here both list salicylic acid 2%.

Which sunscreen uses zinc oxide?

CeraVe Hydrating Sheer SPF 30 includes zinc oxide 7% with three organic filters; Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 30 uses organic filters only.

Does CeraVe make adapalene?

We did not find a CeraVe adapalene product on DailyMed; Neutrogena sells adapalene 0.1% gel.

Which brand has an eczema cream?

CeraVe Eczema Relief cream lists colloidal oatmeal 1%. We did not find a Neutrogena colloidal oatmeal Drug Facts product.

Which brand is better?

We do not name a winner. Compare active ingredients and strengths for your skin.

Is CeraVe Healing Ointment like Aquaphor?

The CeraVe Healing Ointment label lists petrolatum 49.5% as a skin protectant; see our Aquaphor vs Vaseline page for petrolatum products.

Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser every day?

Follow the product label directions. Both labels warn irritation is more likely when combined with another topical acne product.

Are CeraVe sunscreens mineral?

The CeraVe Hydrating Sheer SPF 30 compared here combines zinc oxide with three organic filters, so it is not all-mineral.

What does CeraVe Itch Relief contain?

Its label lists pramoxine hydrochloride 1%, an external analgesic for temporary itch relief.

Sources

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any supplement, medication, or treatment — particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medications, or have a diagnosed medical condition.