Skin1 product guide
The clearest difference is niacinamide: CeraVe PM contains it; Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer does not. Both are fragrance-free lotions with ceramides and a hyaluronic-acid ingredient. Vanicream adds squalane, while CeraVe PM uses dimethicone and cholesterol.
Choose Vanicream if you want a face lotion without niacinamide or dimethicone, or prefer a larger tube for less money. Choose CeraVe PM if niacinamide and an oil-free night lotion are features you want. The checked US sizes are Vanicream 3 fl oz at $13.99 and CeraVe PM 2 fl oz at $14.99.
USD prices checked October 23, 2026–October 24, 2026, before tax and shipping. Unit price = listed price ÷ package ounces.
| Product | US retailer | Size | Price | Price per ounce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer | Target US | 3 fl oz | $13.99 | $4.66/fl oz |
| CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion | Target US | 2 fl oz | $14.99 | $7.50/fl oz |
A light daily lotion with squalane, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and five ceramides, without listed niacinamide.
Consider: Contains squalane rather than the dimethicone and cholesterol combination in CeraVe PM; it is not marketed as oil-free.
Use: Vanicream says to apply as needed, day or night. Its routine FAQ places the moisturizer after a serum and before makeup or sunscreen.
An oil-free, lightweight night lotion with niacinamide, three ceramides, cholesterol and sodium hyaluronate.
Consider: Contains niacinamide and dimethicone, which are absent from Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer. The checked bottle is smaller: 2 fl oz versus 3 fl oz.
Use: Apply liberally to face and neck at night, after cleansing and any treatment steps. Twist the pump left to unlock; CeraVe notes the first use can need 10–20 presses to prime it.
Choose the two options you are weighing. Read the ingredients below or compare how the products fit your routine here.
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Full published ingredient list
Water, Squalane, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-2 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NG, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AS, Ceramide AP, Carnosine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosterols, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-11, 1,2-Hexanediol.
Full published ingredient list
Aqua / Water / Eau, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Ceteareth-20, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Ethylhexylglycerin.
CeraVe PM lists niacinamide fourth. Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer leaves it out. If your routine already has a niacinamide serum and you want to keep that ingredient separate from your moisturizer, Vanicream makes that easy.
Neither formula lists fragrance, parfum or essential oils.
Vanicream names five ceramides: EOP, NG, NP, AS and AP. CeraVe PM names three: NP, AP and EOP, alongside cholesterol and phytosphingosine. Ceramide counts alone do not tell you which finished lotion will feel better on your skin.
For texture, Vanicream describes Daily Facial Moisturizer as rich but lightweight. CeraVe describes PM as ultra-lightweight and oil-free. Squalane appears second in Vanicream; dimethicone appears in CeraVe. Those are practical formula differences when choosing the feel you prefer.
This is the non-SPF Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer versus CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion. It is not Vanicream Facial Moisturizer SPF 30, CeraVe AM with SPF, CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion or the CeraVe cream in a tub.
At the checked prices, Vanicream costs $4.66 per fl oz and the 2 fl oz CeraVe PM costs $7.50 per fl oz. CeraVe also sells other sizes; the retailer link here opens the specific 2 fl oz bottle used in the calculation.
Vanicream directs day-or-night use as needed. CeraVe directs applying PM to the face and neck at night after earlier skincare steps. Neither of these two products contains sunscreen.
The CeraVe pump can need priming on first use: unlock it by turning left, then press repeatedly until lotion dispenses. The Vanicream tube avoids that pump setup.