I always assume that companies are more mindful of the ingredients in products that they market to babies. I’m not sure if this is actually true, but if you have sensitive skin, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to take a look at baby products, if you aren’t doing so already. On the other hand, baby products tend to be more expensive (just like how products automatically become pricier if you’re buying them for a wedding). The difference is that baby personal care products are (hopefully) formulated to be less irritating to babies' sensitive skin.

I’ve gotten a few questions about the difference between CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream. In this post, I’ll ask my dad to compare these products based solely on their ingredient lists. Disclaimer: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a mainstay in my home, but I haven’t actually tried the baby cream before, and neither has my dad. I’m perfectly happy with my CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, so I don’t have any good reason to switch to the baby version. However, if you’re wondering how these two products differ, or you’re curious to see if the baby version could be worth the premium price point, read on!

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ingredients

water, glycerin, ceteareth-20 and cetearyl alcohol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, behentrimonium methosulfate, cetearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, ceramide 3, ceramide 6-ii, ceramide 1, hyaluronic acid, cholesterol, petrolatum, dimethicone, potassium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben, phytosphingosine, carbomer, xanthan gum

CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream ingredients

My Dad the Chemist’s review of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream vs. CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream

In this case, Product 1 was CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Product 2 was CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream. The main differences are that:

• the baby version does not include any parabens as preservatives. It contains two other preservatives (phenoxyethanol and disodium EDTA) that are also in the adult version.
• the adult version does not contain sodium hydroxide (lye). Note: This was the only ingredient that was added to the new formula of CeraVe PM, if you don’t like that reformulation, you may want to choose the adult version of this moisturizing cream, rather than the baby version.
• though both products contain dimethicone, the baby version lists it as an active ingredient, along with its concentration (1.2%). The FDA allows dimethicone to be listed as an active ingredient when it is included at 1 to 30 percent as a “skin protectant.”

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream vs. CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream review

The “base formula” in both of these moisturizing creams consists of many beneficial ingredients:

• ceramides, cholesterol, and phytosphingosine, the elemental skin barrier-repairing ingredients found in all CeraVe products (regardless of whether they’re made for babies or adults)
• hyaluronic acid
• petrolatum, aka mineral oil
• dimethicone
• glycerin

To me, the differences between CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and CeraVe Baby Moisturizing Cream aren’t substantial enough to warrant paying more for the baby version, unless you’re sensitive to parabens. In this case, you can save money and just buy adult version since it’s fragrance-free and received a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association.

Other baby vs. adult product comparisons

Other baby vs. adult articles I’ve written in the past:

• Aveeno Baby Lotion vs. Aveeno Moisturizing Lotion for Sensitive Skin
• CeraVe Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 vs. CeraVe Baby Sunscreen SPF 45
• CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion vs. CeraVe Baby Lotion: What’s the best choice for all ages?

My dad likes the adult version of the Aveeno Moisturizing Lotion for Sensitive Skin because it contained an additional moisturizing ingredient: shea butter. For the two CeraVe products, he preferred the baby versions for different reasons. He thought CeraVe Baby Sunscreen SPF 45 was designed to be less irritating, and liked the additional dimethicone (skin protectant again) and niacinamide contained in the CeraVe Baby Lotion.