Moisturizing Cream vs Moisturizing Cream: which is safer?

These two grade almost identically. Pick on price and preference; neither has a PFAS edge.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

CeraVe

Moisturizing Cream

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 67/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Water, glycerin, ceramides, humectants (cream emulsion)

Confidence

78%

Possible1,4-dioxane (synthetic contaminant in emulsifiers)

PossiblePreservative safety and formaldehyde releasers

LA MER Moisturizing Cream

La Mer

Moisturizing Cream

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 67/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Water, mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin, wax, typical emollient cream base

Confidence

72%

PossibleFragrance allergens and undisclosed components

PossibleBotanical extracts and botanical contaminants

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag 1,4-dioxane (synthetic contaminant in emulsifiers) and Preservative safety and formaldehyde releasers on the CeraVe and not on the La Mer.
  • We flag Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components and Botanical extracts and botanical contaminants on the La Mer and not on the CeraVe.
  • The CeraVe is Water, glycerin, ceramides, humectants (cream emulsion) where the La Mer is Water, mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin, wax, typical emollient cream base, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More moisturizer: see the full ranking