Side-by-side comparison

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream vs CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

Both moisturisers contain Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid, but only PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion adds a targeted active: Niacinamide. That's the main thing to weigh.

2Shared hero actives
CeraVe
Moisturizing Cream
MoisturiserMid-rangeMorning or evening
Damaged BarrierDryness

The classic ceramide cream — thick, occlusive, fragrance-free. Three ceramides plus cholesterol and fatty acids in the ratio the stratum corneum naturally contains. Go-to for damaged barrier, eczema-prone skin, and as a winter night cream. Too heavy for most oily-skin daytime use.

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CeraVe
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
MoisturiserMid-rangeEvening only
Damaged BarrierDrynessOiliness

Lightweight nighttime moisturiser with niacinamide and ceramides. Less heavy than the tub Moisturizing Cream, more barrier-focused than most lotions — excellent as a finishing layer over retinoids or acids.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion goes further with Niacinamide, which Moisturizing Cream doesn't have. If you only need Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid, Moisturizing Cream covers it; if you want Niacinamide as well, choose PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is the better fit for oiliness. Both sit in the Mid-range price tier. Moisturizing Cream is flagged morning or evening; PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is flagged evening only.

The overlap

What they share

These hero actives appear in both formulas:

CeramidesHyaluronic Acid
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

Moisturizing Cream — top of the list

  • Purified Water~50–80%
  • Glycerin~5–25%
  • Caprylic/Capri…~3–10%
  • Behentrimonium…~2–6%
  • Cetearyl Alcohol~1.5–4%
  • Ceramide NP~1–2%
  • Sodium Hyaluro…~1–2%
  • Cholesterol~1–2%

PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion — top of the list

  • Purified Water~50–80%
  • Glycerin~5–25%
  • Caprylic/Capri…~3–10%
  • Niacinamide~2–6%
  • Cetearyl Alcohol~1.5–4%
  • Ceramide NP~1–2%
  • Sodium Hyaluro…~1–2%
  • Cholesterol~1–2%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

Moisturizing CreamPM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
CategoryMoisturiserMoisturiser
Price tierMid-rangeMid-range
Best forDamaged Barrier, DrynessDamaged Barrier, Dryness, Oiliness
Usage notesMorning or eveningEvening only
Shared hero activesCeramides and Hyaluronic Acid
Questions

Common questions

Is the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion better?
It depends on whether you want Niacinamide. PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion has it; Moisturizing Cream doesn't. Otherwise both rely on Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid.
What's the difference between the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion?
Moisturizing Cream's hero actives are Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid. PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion's are Niacinamide, Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid.
Are the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion dupes for each other?
Only partly. They share Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid, but PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion's Niacinamide has no counterpart in Moisturizing Cream.
Can I use the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion together?
They both fill the moisturiser slot in a routine, so you'd normally pick one. If you like both, use one in the morning and the other at night, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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1 shared hero active

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