First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream vs CeraVe Moisturizing Cream: Are They Dupes?

By Kimberly

After realizing the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream looked similar, felt similar, and performed similar, I knew I needed to review them together. Are they dupes? Everyday, I applied the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream to the right side of my body, and the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream to the left side of my body. I got this idea from my foil challenge, because the foils do not always have enough product to cover the area I am testing. Whenever that happens, I use my regular product to finish the job.

It is always easier to spot direct differences when you are using the products at the same time. After one week of wearing them both at the same time, I knew I was ready to compare them. This review is a comparison for how they perform on my body. If you are looking for a comparison of how they perform on the face, I found this video. Though the skin on my face is very dry, the pores get clogged easily leading to acne. Unless a product claims it is a facial moisturizer, I do not want to place it on my face. Everyone has different skin, so only you can decide if you want to risk trying CeraVe on your face.

Similarities and Differences Between First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Both formulas have some impressive ingredients proven to moisturize. Some of those ingredients even overlap from one formula to the next. While CeraVe focuses on Ceramides and Hyaluronic acid as its powerhouse moisturizers, First Aid Beauty focuses on Squalene and Colloidal Oatmeal. From the ingredients lists alone, I would not say one is better than the other. Of course, those who avoid parabens would likely prefer the First Aid Beauty over the CeraVe, but parabens do not bother me. People who avoid alcohol might also avoid CeraVe, but alcohol does not bother me.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream Ingredients

Purified Water, Glycerin, Cetareth-20 and Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum.

First Aid Beauty Ulta Repair Cream Ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, 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, Disodium EDTA, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol.

Testing Which Product is Better: First Aid Beauty Ulta Repair Cream or CeraVe Moisturizing Cream?

My dupe theory was disproven, because there is a very slight difference in how they perform and the thickness of each. It is almost imperceptible at first. That difference is the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream absorbs a little deeper, and it is a little thicker. Unlike formulas that absorb so deeply that you can no longer feel them on the skin, you can still feel the Ultra Repair Cream. Skin feels soft to the touch with a lovely, supple feeling of moisture. The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a slightly more tacky on the skin.

Unless a formula is greasy, I actually enjoy feeling the product on my skin. Your fingertips will stick to the skin a fraction of a second longer when you touch it, but it will not feel sticky at all. In most cases, I generally prefer the ones that leave the feeling of product on my skin, because they pass the scratch test better. If you scratch skin on a formula that completely absorbs, it usually turns white. On moisturized skin, it turns red. Both formulas leave me with red skin with the scratch test, even over 24 hours after application.

From my experience, formulas that completely absorb and draw moisture into the skin leave the outside of my skin wanting more moisture. It needs balance. When there are plenty of products that last from shower to shower, I do not want to use any moisturizers that require reapplication between showers. I’ve named the Ultra Repair Cream and the Moisturizing Cream as FabuFinds, because I legitimately love both of them. My skin holds the moisture from both products extremely well.

I only apply fresh out of a shower to increase the chance that it will trap moisture in my skin. Because the Ulta Repair Cream absorbs a little deeper, I can still almost feel it on my skin after a shower. That gives it a very slight edge, so I will say it has the better formula. As someone who always reapplies moisturizer after the shower, I do not mind that the effects of the CeraVe wear off in the shower though. The difference is so minor that I think they are both wonderful, so I recommend both.

Verdict

Finding a First Aid Beauty Ulta Repair Cream dupe was my goal, because it costs more than I generally like to spend. At $5.33 an ounce for the 6oz size, I refrain from purchasing it unless it is on sale. That happens at Sephora and Ulta around Black Friday. Stocking up on sale prices keeps me going for a while. If you can afford the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream, grab it. Because CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a lot more affordable, I purchase it as often as I want. It is a great product, so I never feel like I am settling when I purchase it. Paying a little over $1 an ounce or less when I purchase elsewhere or get BOGO discounts at Ulta makes it a lot easier to buy.

Have you tried the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream or the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream? What are your thoughts on them? Let me know below. See all dupe and product articles. View my main page for the guide map to the site and deeper deal exploration.

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