First Aid Beauty vs CeraVe – Which Products Are Better?

In this article, I’ll tell you more about some of their core products in an ultimate comparison between their moisturizers, their cleansers, and their retinol eye creams.

Let the battle of brands begin!

About the brands

First Aid Beauty is famous for their gentle formulas (at least for the majority of their products) that are still effective. The brand produces solutions for sensitive and eczema-prone skin, so you can count on non-irritating ingredients in their formulations.

At the same time, the brand is considered one of the generally affordable ones, making it a good choice for people with a low to moderate budget for skincare.

CeraVe is another loved skincare brand that sells high-quality, non-irritating products at affordable prices.

However, It has won more seals of approval from the National Eczema Association than any other competitor in the space. In fact, their products are known to be widely recommended by dermatologists.

The brand stands out with simple-looking packaging and no-frills products that work.

Their entire product line is created around three essential ceramides and a lot of their products also include hyaluronic acid and soothing niacinamide. In addition, every product from CeraVe’s lines is fragrance-free and cruelty-free, which are two unique selling points that most shoppers show a preference for.

CeraVe vs First Aid Beauty – how do they compare?

Overall, the biggest differentiation between the two brands is price.

First Aid Beauty products are much more pricey when compared to CeraVe. At the same time, the two brands offer similar quality and similar results in a lot of their product lines.

But to get a feel of the brands and learn more about what they can provide, it’s necessary to dig deeper into some of their core products.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream vs CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

These two moisturizers by First Aid Beauty and CeraVe both aim to repair and moisturize the skin. Both products support the skin barrier and provide substantial hydration, especially to dry skin.

The focus ingredients in the CeraVe moisturizing cream are hyaluronic acid, which locks in moisture, and the three ceramides that the brand is popular for – ceramide EOP, ceramide AP, and ceramide NP. They help create a protective barrier that prevents transepidermal water loss (TEWL). At the same time, they provide a shield against bacteria, toxins, and other pollutants.

On the other hand, the main ingredients in First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream include colloidal oatmeal (OTC), shea butter, and allantoin.

OTC soothes itching and calms down irritation. It’s especially valuable for people suffering from eczema, rashes, and other skin conditions.

Shea butter is an emollient that comes with a lot of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. It supports the skin’s natural barrier.

Finally, allantoin soothes and further calms the skin.

Price of each per oz/ml:

The Ultra Repair Cream by First Aid Beauty costs $38 for a bottle of 6 oz or 177 ml. In other words, you pay $6.33 per oz or $0.22 per ml.

The CeraVe moisturizer costs $14.23 for a bottle of 12 oz or 355 ml. Put otherwise, you pay around $1.19 per oz or $0.04 per ml.

Amount of product in each:

The Ultra Repair Cream by First Aid Beauty comes in different sizes, You can find it in bottles of 2 oz (60 ml), 6 oz (177 ml), 8 oz (236.6 ml), or 14 oz (414 ml).

This specific CeraVe moisturizer is only available in a huge jar of 12 oz or 335 ml. Other CeraVe moisturizers are accessible in different sizes for you to choose from.

Skin types suitable to use each:

Both products are designed for dry and normal skin types but can also be used by oily folks, especially during colder months.

Texture comparison:

The CeraVe moisturizer is extremely easy to use, it absorbs quickly and provides long-lasting hydration. The texture layers well with other products with no pilling and you don’t have to worry about any residue.

The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is extremely moisturizing and unlike its CeraVe counterpart will not be appreciated by people with oilier skin. It’s thicker and takes longer to absorb completely. It doesn’t feel greasy and just like CeraVe, doesn’t leave any residue.

Ingredient comparison:

The full ingredient lists of both products are as follows:

CeraVe moisturizer:
Aqua, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Petrolatum, Potassium Phosphate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cholesterol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream:
Water, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Squalane, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide 3, Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract, Colloidal Oatmeal 0.5%, Disodium EDTA, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol

Who wins:

When testing both products, I came to realize my preference for CeraVe, mainly because of the fact that it’s so quickly absorbed and layers well with other products. So oily folks – this one is for you.

However, First Aid Beauty’s ultra-repair cream wins the battle if you’re looking for a hydrating agent for eczema or other similar skin conditions where a more occlusive moisturizer is appreciated.

In terms of price, CeraVe wins by far as the more affordable of the two.

In a nutshell, they both work extremely well and truly provide lasting moisture. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper product – CeraVe is your go-to. If you’re in search of a reliable solution for eczema and dryness – First Aid Beauty is the better choice.

CeraVe Cleanser vs First Aid Beauty Cleanser

Both CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser and First Aid Beauty’s cleanser are designed to remove makeup, accumulated dirt, and other impurities from the skin. Both products are formulated to prevent stripping the skin’s natural barrier and moisture, and both are fragrance-free.

The CeraVe moisturizing cleanser is specifically promoted as a non-comedogenic cleanser, meaning that it won’t clog your pores. It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid – because of these ingredients, the product leaves the skin feeling clean, yet hydrated and soft.

In addition, the cleanser is enriched with phytosphingosine – an anti-acne ingredient that helps to prevent breakouts in dry skin. Glycerin and cholesterol are also present in the ingredient list, hydrating and smoothing the skin.

On the other hand, First Aid Beauty contains aloe leaf juice and allantoin that both nourish the skin and calm irritation. The ingredient list also boasts several botanical extracts which I’ll look into below.

Suffice it to say, it’s even more effective against acne breakouts.

Price of each per oz/ml:

The First Aid Beauty cleanser is available for $24 for a bottle of 5 oz, or $4.8 per oz and $0.16 per ml.

The CeraVe cleanser costs $12.47 for a bottle of 12 oz, or $1.04 per oz and $0.003 per ml.

Again, the clear winner in the price category is CeraVe’s cleanser.

Amount of product in each:

You can find the First Aid Beauty cleanser in bottles of 2 oz (60 ml), 5 oz (147 ml), 8 oz (237 ml), and 11 oz (325 ml).

On the other hand, the CeraVe cleanser is available in 12 oz (355 ml) and 16 oz (473 ml).

While it’s generally great to buy bigger bottles of a product to not constantly purchase and wait for your cleanser to arrive, this is not very helpful if you want to test it out before investing a larger sum of money.

Skin types suitable to use each:

The CeraVe Hydrating facial cleanser is designed for normal to dry skin, so people with oily skin will feel it is too heavy and not as effective in cleaning away excess sebum. Luckily, the brand has another product specifically made for that skin type.

The First Aid Beauty cleanser is formulated for people with all types of skin, including sensitive and oily skin, and is definitely the more universal choice.

Texture comparison:

I love the creamy texture of First Aid Beauty’s cleanser. It reminds me of whipped cream, and a small amount is enough to clean your entire face.

On the other hand, the CeraVe cleanser has a lotion-y texture that glides on your skin easily. A single pump is enough to use.

Ingredient comparison:

Here are the full ingredient lists for both products:

CeraVe Cleanser:
Purified Water, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-Ii, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Polyoxyl 40 Stearate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium Edta, Phytosphingosine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum

First Aid Beauty Cleanser:
Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Allantoin, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Pca, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides Citrate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Leuconostoc/​Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Edta
Strictly from ingredient comparison, the FAB’s cleanser looks more appropriate for people with acne-prone skin, be it dry or oily. This is due to the botanical compounds from the tea tree and the licorice root extract that can deal with any leftover post-acne hyperpigmentation.

Who wins:

When comparing the two cleansers, I’d definitely vote for the First Aid Beauty’s if you’re prone to breakouts – I know I am.

It’s more efficient at truly removing all makeup and dirt from the skin, and can be used by people with oily skin, unlike CeraVe’s cleanser.

FAB Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream

Finally, it’s time to compare the brands’ eye creams. Here’s more on the topic of CeraVe vs First Aid Beauty when it comes to these products.

The First Aid Beauty eye cream is designed specifically to target dark circles, dryness, fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness, other signs of aging, and the natural loss of elasticity as the skin under the eyes matures.

And the CeraVe skin renewing eye cream also reduces the visible signs of aging under the eyes and minimizes fine lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles. However, its ingredients suggest more of a day-to-day use than an anti-age treatment.

Price of each per oz/ml:

CeraVe’s eye cream can be found for around $18 coming at $36 per oz or $1.2 per ml.
First Aid Beauty’s eye cream is much more expensive, costing $44 for 0.5 oz, or $88 for 1 oz, and $2.93 per ml.
Here again, the CeraVe product wind the price race with a more affordable option. However, it’s all reflected in the formulation, so you get what you pay for in this particular case.

Amount of product in each:

First Aid Beuty’s Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream is available in a bottle of 0.5 oz or 15 ml.

CeraVe’s eye cream comes in the same size.

Skin types suitable to use each:

Both eye creams are suitable for all skin types.

However, if you haven’t used retinol in your undereye area, expect to have some initial reaction to the FAB product.

Texture comparison:

The CeraVe eye cream feels very light on the skin, it isn’t greasy and feels nice after application. Its formula is simple enough to be used daily with no worries about irritation.

Similarly, First Aid Beauty’s eye cream also has a lightweight, creamy texture and feels soft and fresh. Since it has some retinol in it, you’ll need to build up a tolerance first.

Ingredient comparison:

Both ingredient lists for the products are quite extensive. However, First Aid Beauty’s formula certainly stands out with much more complexity. Here’s all that’s included in both eye creams:

CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream:
Aqua/ Water / Eau, Propanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl, Lactylate, Sodium Lactate, Cholesterol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Phenoxyethanol, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Phytosphingosine, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Benzoic Acid
The product’s formula focuses more on niacinamide and its benefits – smoothes fine lines and brightens the area. The cream also contains an anti-aging peptide complex that reduces fine lines and crow’s feet. And here we also have hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and caffeine.

With a much shorter and more straightforward ingredient list, the CeraVe eye cream promises to not irritate the gentle under-eye area.

First Aid Beauty Retinol Eye Cream:
Aqua (Water,Eau), Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Glycerin, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Vinyl Dimethicone/​Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinol, Caffeine, Ceramide NG, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Atelocollagen, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Linoleic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Oleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Triolein, Cholesterol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Polysilicone-11, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Mica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Stearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-12 Olefin), Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyethylene, Ethylene/​Propylene/​Styrene Copolymer, Butylene/​Ethylene/​Styrene Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Steareth-30, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Tin Oxide, Citric Acid, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)
When using it, I did notice my eyes becoming a bit firmer and brighter and some of my wrinkles slowly fading away. The key ingredients that you need to know about here include microencapsulated retinol, triple-weight hyaluronic acid, micro pearls, and skin-saver complex.

Let’s see what they do.

• Microencapsulated retinol – stimulates the production of Collagen and boosts cellular turnover. As a result, it reduces the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines, and wrinkles. As it delivers retinol slowly over time, microencapsulation is considered safe for the eye area.
• Triple-weigh hyaluronic acid – locks in moisture, smoothes the under-eye area, and makes the skin look plump and less puffy.
• Skin saver complex – a proprietary blend created by the brand of hyaluronic acid, antioxidant vitamins C and E, aloe, colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, and ceramides, which nourishes mature skin.

There’s also caffeine – an effective vasoconstrictor that minimizes the appearance of dark under-eyes.

Who wins:

In terms of affordability, CeraVe’s product is definitely a daily go-to with some anti-aging abilities and a minimalistic, skin-loving ingredient list.

However, if you’re looking for a proper anti-aging treatment with proven effects, you will enjoy the First Aid Beauty one better.

At the end of my First Aid Beauty vs CeraVe comparison, conclusions can be drawn.

Overall, in my personal opinion, CeraVe is the winner, taking two wins from a total of three product comparisons.

Would you agree?

If you’ve used CeraVe and First Aid Beauty products I’d love to hear your thoughts and learn more about your experiences. Feel free to share your feedback in the comments section below!