It’s hard not to fall in love with CeraVe. With its affordable prices, dermatologist-backed formulas, and no-fuss approach to skincare, it's become a holy grail for anyone focused on building a healthy, hydrated skin barrier. Those iconic blue and white bottles are a staple for a reason: they just work.
But if you’ve been loyal to CeraVe and are curious about what else is out there, you're in the right place. Whether you’re looking for a formula with more active ingredients, a splash of luxury, or just a different take on science-backed skincare, here are 18 amazing brands that deliver similar results.
Often found right next to CeraVe on the shelf, La Roche-Posay is like its sophisticated French cousin. This brand is known for its formulas centered around healing thermal spring water and is also highly recommended by dermatologists for sensitive skin. You'll find similar staple products like gentle cleansers and barrier-repairing moisturizers that are great for daily use.
While both brands focus on gentle, effective skincare, La Roche-Posay offers more specialized treatments for concerns like severe acne, rosacea, and anti-aging. It’s a great step up if you love CeraVe's reliability but need something a little more targeted. The price point is slightly higher, but still very accessible.
Shop now at laroche-posay.us
If your skin is incredibly sensitive or reactive, look no further than Vanicream. This brand takes the “gentle” philosophy to the next level by creating hypoallergenic formulas free of common irritants like dyes, fragrance, parabens, and formaldehyde. Their product line is simple and focused, offering extremely effective cleansers and moisturizers perfect for allergy-prone skin.
Think of Vanicream as the most stripped-back, minimalist version of CeraVe. Their star product, the Moisturizing Cream, is a cult favorite for its intense hydration without any potential triggers. If CeraVe's simplicity appeals to you but you need something even more basic and safe, Vanicream is an excellent choice.
Shop now at vanicream.com
Eucerin is another science-first, dermatologist-approved brand that excels at treating dry, delicate, and compromised skin. Much like CeraVe, it has a strong focus on restoring the skin's moisture barrier and provides incredibly reliable solutions for hydration and skin health. It's a go-to for many people dealing with conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Where Eucerin stands out is in its rich, intensive treatments designed for extremely dry or rough skin. Their famous Advanced Repair cream is perfect if you find CeraVe's classic Moisturizing Cream isn't quite heavy-duty enough for you, especially during harsh winter months.
Shop now at eucerinus.com
If the hyaluronic acid in CeraVe's formulas is your favorite part, the Neutrogena Hydro Boost line is for you. This collection is all about delivering lightweight, bouncy hydration. The star product, the Hydro Boost Water Gel, is an oil-free moisturizer famous for its instantly absorbed, refreshing texture that drenches skin in moisture.
Unlike CeraVe's creamy, ceramide-focused lotions, Hydro Boost products feel weightless and almost cooling on the skin, making them perfect for oily or combination skin types that still need hydration. It provides that plump, hydrated glow without any heavy feeling, all at a similar drugstore price point.
Shop now at neutrogena.com
Aveeno channels the soothing power of natural ingredients, particularly prebiotic oat, to calm and nourish sensitive skin. Known for its ultra-gentle cleansers, body lotions, and moisturizers, Aveeno shares CeraVe’s commitment to reinforcing the skin's moisture barrier. It’s another staple found in drugstores that's trusted by dermatologists for its kind-to-skin formulas.
The main difference lies in the star ingredient: while CeraVe is all about ceramides, Aveeno is centered on colloidal oatmeal. If your skin is not only dry but also itchy, red, or irritated, Aveeno’s oat-infused products provide incredible calming relief.
Shop now at aveeno.com
For those who love CeraVe’s scientific approach but want to experiment with powerful active ingredients, The Ordinary is the perfect next step. They offer single-ingredient-focused serums, oils, and moisturizers at incredibly affordable prices, allowing you to create a completely customized routine based on your skin’s needs.
Where CeraVe lays a fantastic foundation with cleansers and moisturizers, The Ordinary helps you build on it with targeted treatments like Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% or various retinoids and acids. It's the ideal brand for budding "skintellectuals" who want to have more control over their routine without breaking the bank.
Shop now at theordinary.com
Paula’s Choice champions research-backed, fragrance-free skincare that delivers serious results. Like CeraVe, the brand is built on a foundation of scientific evidence and transparency, but it takes things a step further with highly effective exfoliants, retinols, and antioxidant serums. Their products feel a bit more sophisticated while still being incredibly reliable for sensitive skin.
If you're ready to graduate to more advanced anti-aging or acne-fighting formulas but don't want to risk irritation, Paula's Choice is a fantastic option. The price point is higher than CeraVe's, but the potent formulas often justify the cost for those looking for visible changes in their skin.
Shop now at paulaschoice.com
This specific line from Aveeno deserves its own mention because it’s hyper-focused on providing relief for intensely dry and itchy skin. Formulated with a signature Triple Oat Complex, these products are clinically shown to restore the skin's moisture barrier and provide 24 hours of hydration. They are completely fragrance-free and gentle enough for everyday use.
Compared to CeraVe's daily moisturizing line, the Aveeno Skin Relief range is noticeably richer and more calming. If standard moisturizers aren't cutting it for your dry, agitated skin, this collection offers that extra level of soothing comfort your skin is craving.
Shop now at aveeno.com
Laidbare is a UK-based brand that brings a natural, cruelty-free approach to straightforward skincare. They create effective, no-fuss formulas that often feel similar to CeraVe's foundational simplicity but with a focus on naturally derived ingredients. You’ll find great staple products like gentle cleansers and intensely hydrating moisturizers designed to support a healthy skin barrier.
This brand is ideal for someone who loves CeraVe's mission but wants to transition to a cleaner, more eco-conscious routine. The vibe is less clinical and more earthy, but the commitment to gentle, trustworthy skincare remains the same.
Shop now at laidbare.com
Another beloved French pharmacy brand, Bioderma is famous for its pioneering work with micellar water and its dedication to respecting the skin's natural biology. Similar to CeraVe, Bioderma’s products are developed with dermatologists to be gentle, effective, and excellent for sensitive skin. Their Sensibio line, in particular, is a go-to for easily irritated complexions.
The key parallel is the focus on maintaining skin harmony. While their Sensibio line is fantastic for calming redness, the Atoderm line is a direct competitor for CeraVe’s hydrating range, offering rich balms and cleansers that combat dryness and support the skin's barrier function.
Shop now at bioderma.us
First Aid Beauty (FAB) makes problem-solving skincare that is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types. Many of their products are designed to deliver immediate relief and lasting results, sharing CeraVe's focus on healing a compromised skin barrier. Their formulas frequently contain skin-calming ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, and allantoin.
Where FAB differs is its slightly more luxurious feel and texture, bridging the gap between drugstore functionality and high-end skincare. Their famous Ultra Repair Cream is a fantastic alternative to the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, offering a similarly rich, hydrating experience that feels a little more whipped and elegant.
Shop now at firstaidbeauty.com
L’Oreal Paris brings impressive research and development to the drugstore aisle, offering accessible skincare that incorporates high-performance ingredients. Their Revitalift line, for example, is famous for its hyaluronic acid and retinol products that provide barrier support and powerful anti-aging benefits, making their approach similar to CeraVe's foundation of effective, science-backed formulas.
While CeraVe focuses primarily on foundational skin health, L’Oreal leverages its massive R&D budget to bring popular buzzy ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen peptides to the masses at an affordable price. It’s a great option for trying on-trend ingredients without a huge investment.
Shop now at lorealparisusa.com
The name says it all. Simple is a budget-friendly brand focused on creating products with clean, kind-to-skin ingredients. Like CeraVe, Simple excels at the basics: makeup removers, cleansers, and moisturizers that are free from artificial fragrances, harsh chemicals, and dyes. Their formulas are ophthalmologist and dermatologist-tested, making them safe for sensitive eyes and skin.
Their ethos is rooted in minimalism, and they're particularly great for young skincare users or anyone who feels overwhelmed by complicated routines. If CeraVe's straightforward, no-nonsense vibe is what you love most, Simple is its British counterpart.
Shop now at simpleskincare.com
Specializing in solutions for sensitive, intolerant, and allergy-prone skin, Avène is another French pharmacy hero. What truly sets this brand apart is their use of Avène Thermal Spring Water, a unique ingredient known for its clinically-proven calming and soothing properties. This focus on gentle restoration places it in the same category as CeraVe.
Their Skin Recovery Cream is an iconic product for restoring a damaged skin barrier and reducing reactivity. Choose Avène over CeraVe when your primary concern is not just dryness, but also redness, reactivity, and general skin irritation that needs an immediate calming effect.
Shop now at aveneusa.com
The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial line is celebrated for providing long-lasting hydration that suits a wide range of skin types. The fan-favorite Ultra Facial Cream delivers 24-hour hydration with a lightweight, non-greasy texture, much like CeraVe's moisturizers. Key ingredients like glacial glycoprotein and squalane help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.
Kiehl's offers a more premium, department-store experience compared to CeraVe’s drugstore accessibility. While the core promise of dependable hydration is the same, Kiehl’s formulations feel more sophisticated and are often viewed as a luxurious step-up for those who enjoy the ritual of skincare.
Shop now at kiehls.com
Drunk Elephant has built a massive following with its "biocompatible" philosophy, focusing on clean, effective ingredients and avoiding what they call the "Suspicious 6" (like silicones, drying alcohols, and fragrance). Their Lala Retro Whipped Cream and Protini Polypeptide Cream are packed with ceramides and nourishing ingredients that support a healthy skin barrier, mirroring CeraVe's core function but at a luxury price point.
This is the brand for you if you're looking to invest in high-end, ingredient-conscious skincare that feels playful and indulgent. It takes CeraVe's scientific principles and elevates them with potent actives, unique textures, and shelfie-worthy packaging.
Shop now at drunkelephant.com
As one of CeraVe's biggest drugstore rivals, Cetaphil is a classic for a reason. This brand has been recommended by dermatologists for decades for its incredibly gentle, non-irritating formulas perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Their signature Gentle Skin Cleanser is a minimalist icon that cleanses effectively without stripping the skin's natural moisture.
The main comparison here is a shared commitment to simplistic, reliable skincare fundamentals. While CeraVe hero-ingredients are ceramides and hyaluronic acid for barrier repair, Cetaphil focuses on a minimal ingredient list and a "less is more" approach that works wonders for reactive skin.
Shop now at cetaphil.com
This specific line from Paula’s Choice is an excellent CeraVe alternative for anyone dealing with rosacea or persistent redness. Every product in the Calm collection is formulated to soothe irritation, visibly reduce redness, and strengthen a compromised skin barrier with a gentle blend of plant extracts, antioxidants, and skin-restoring ingredients.
Like CeraVe, this line is entirely fragrance-free and designed for daily use on sensitive skin. However, it goes a step further by actively targeting the underlying causes of redness, making it a more focused solution than CeraVe's general sensitive skin products.
Shop now at paulaschoice.com
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