What is actually different?
| Feature | Moisturizing Cream | Daily Facial Moisturizer |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Easy to spread, quickly absorbed and described by Vanicream as non greasy. | A lighter facial option. |
| Formula | Contains petrolatum, sorbitol and other ingredients in an 11 ingredient formula. | Contains ceramides; check the current tube for the full formula. |
| Ceramides | Does not contain ceramides. | Contains ceramides. |
| Where to use | Face, hands, feet and body. | A facial moisturizer. |
| Directions | Apply as needed, after bathing or swimming, and before wind or cold exposure. | Follow the directions on the current tube. |
| Price | Compare the current retailer price and pack size. | Compare the current retailer price and pack size. |
Petrolatum is an occlusive ingredient: it forms a protective layer that reduces water loss from the skin's surface. Moisturizers also use ingredients that soften skin and attract water. Ceramides are therefore a formula difference, not a reason to dismiss the cream as incapable of moisturizing.3
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Moisturizing Cream when dry skin is the main concern, especially if you also need moisturizer for your hands or body.
- Choose Daily Facial Moisturizer when a lighter facial texture is your priority or you specifically want ceramides.
- For sensitive skin, check the ingredients against anything you already know irritates your skin rather than choosing by the product name alone.
The cream can be used on your face as well as your body, so the word "facial" is not a border checkpoint. Vanicream labels the cream noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. That is separate from how your skin responds: occlusive moisturizers can aggravate acne in some people.13
Moisturizing Cream is free of fragrance, masking fragrance, dyes, lanolin, parabens and formaldehyde. It has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. For nummular eczema, which causes patches of eczema, general care favors a fragrance free cream or ointment applied to damp skin rather than a lotion.124
How should you apply moisturizer?
These are general moisturizer principles; use each product's own directions for specific application instructions.
- 1Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing, while skin is still damp, to help retain water.
- 2Reapply according to dryness. Slightly dry skin can need only a light moisturizer at night; very dry skin can need more frequent applications.
- 3For Moisturizing Cream, Vanicream also directs application after swimming or sun exposure and before exposure to wind or cold.
Moisturizers reduce dryness and support the skin barrier, the outer layer that helps keep moisture in. Their moisturizing effects are greatest during the first six hours after application, and regular use two to three times daily can be needed to maximize benefit. Use dryness to guide reapplication rather than treating one application as an all day fix.3
Stop using a moisturizer if contact dermatitis develops, meaning an inflammatory skin reaction to contact with a substance. Suspected ingredient allergy can be investigated with patch testing. If eczema patches persist or the itch feels unbearable, see a dermatologist rather than continuing to swap moisturizers.34
What happens to the packaging?
The Daily Facial Moisturizer box is recyclable, but its tube and cap are not currently recyclable, so the packaging receives separate verdicts. For the Moisturizing Cream pump jar, rinse out the product, discard the pump and recycle the container locally. For the plain jar, rinse it and replace the cap before recycling.5
Where this answer comes from
- 1Vanicream™ Moisturizing Cream for Dry, Sensitive Skinvanicream.com
- 2Vanicream Moisturizing Creamnationaleczema.org
- 3Emollients and Moisturizers (Moisturisers)dermnetnz.org
- 4Eczema types: Nummular eczema self-careaad.org
- 5How to Recycle Vanicream™ Product Packagingvanicream.com
