CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser vs Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly

97 facts in comparison

Based on 465 Reddit opinions. Close race—Hydrating Cleanser edges ahead.

465 opinions
Hydrating Cleanser leads by 2pts
Reddit's Pick
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
75%
B
Based on
220 Redditors
Winner

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

~$15.97
78 opinions

tldr; Reddit generally praises CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser as a gentle, non-stripping, and affordable option, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

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VS
Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly
73%
B-
Based on
1,009 Redditors

Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly

~$5.48
387 opinions

tldr; Reddit highly recommends Vaseline for its exceptional healing, moisturizing, and occlusive properties, often favored by dermatologists and praised for its affordability.

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EffectivenessIngredientsSkin FeelGentlenessValue
EFF
ING
SKI
❤️GEN
VAL
67
Points
76
Points

Score by Category

Effectiveness
54%73%
Ingredients
0%67%
Skin Feel
57%50%
Gentleness
91%88%
Value
67%100%

Why is Original Petroleum Jelly better than CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser?

  • Better effectiveness (73% vs 54%)
  • Better value (100% vs 67%)
  • Dermatologist rec'd for healing after minor
  • ⏱ Heals skin fast and effectively
  • Works as an effective, affordable occlusive
Based on 1,229 Reddit opinions
Too Close to Call

Reddit prefers the Hydrating Cleanser

Winning by 2 points (75% vs 73%)

Better skin feel
Gentle and non-stripping
Affordable (usually under $10)
High confidence (1,229 mentions)

💬Reddit Sentiment

Based on 1,229 Reddit mentions

Overall Rating

Hydrating Cleanser
7.5/10
220 mentions
Petroleum Jelly
7.3/10
1,009 mentions
SKIN FEEL
Hydrating Cleanser5.7/10
Petroleum Jelly5.0/10
EFFECTIVENESS
Hydrating Cleanser5.4/10
Petroleum Jelly7.3/10
INGREDIENTS
Hydrating Cleanser0.0/10
Petroleum Jelly6.7/10
GENTLENESS
Hydrating Cleanser9.1/10
Petroleum Jelly8.8/10
VALUE
Hydrating Cleanser6.7/10
Petroleum Jelly10.0/10
⚔️

Head to Head

Head to Head

Hydrating Cleanser: 2|Petroleum Jelly: 3
Skin FeelHydrating Cleanser
Hydrating Cleanser57%
Petroleum Jelly50%
EffectivenessPetroleum Jelly
Hydrating Cleanser54%
Petroleum Jelly73%
IngredientsPetroleum Jelly
Hydrating Cleanser0%
Petroleum Jelly67%
GentlenessHydrating Cleanser
Hydrating Cleanser91%
Petroleum Jelly88%
ValuePetroleum Jelly
Hydrating Cleanser67%
Petroleum Jelly100%
Hydrating Cleanser75%
Petroleum Jelly73%
Close race - Hydrating Cleanser edges ahead by 2 points

Key Specs

SpecCeraVe Hydrating CleanserVaseline Original Petroleum Jelly
Key Ingredients
Essential Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin
Skin Type
Normal to Dry, Sensitive Skin
Texture
Non-foaming, creamy lotion
Formulation
Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, non-drying, allergy-tested, pH balanced
Technology
MVE Technology for 24-hour hydration

Key Highlights

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
🎯 Gentle and non-stripping
💰 Affordable (usually under $10)
🎯 Works well for sensitive skin
🏆 Recommended for PM routine
⚠ May not provide enough exfoliation for skin
Vaseline Original Petroleum JellyWinner
🏆 Dermatologist rec'd for healing after minor
⏱️ Heals skin fast and effectively
💰 Works as an effective, affordable occlusive
🎯 Leaves skin feeling amazing overnight
💧 Excellent for extremely dry skin when layered

Topic Battles

Hydrating Cleanser: 2|Tied: 0|Petroleum Jelly: 3
Effectiveness
Petroleum Jelly wins
Hydrating Cleanser
54%
Petroleum Jelly
73%
Ingredients
Petroleum Jelly wins
Hydrating Cleanser
0%
Petroleum Jelly
67%
Skin Feel
Hydrating Cleanser wins
Hydrating Cleanser
57%
Petroleum Jelly
50%
❤️Gentleness
Hydrating Cleanser wins
Hydrating Cleanser
91%
Petroleum Jelly
88%
Value
Petroleum Jelly wins
Hydrating Cleanser
67%
Petroleum Jelly
100%

Based on Reddit sentiment across 5 categories

📈Where They Rank

💬What Redditors Actually Say

What Redditors Say

Best praise vs top criticism for CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

Best Praise
+3 pts
I have super sensitive skin and I love the hydrating cleanser. As you say, everyone's skin tolerates different things so it's really stupid for people to condemn the entire brand because they tried one or two products and it didn't work for them.
r/SkincareAddiction
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Top Criticism
+2 pts
Hi there, couple of things: 1. Cerave hydrating cleanser is for dry to very dry skin. If you're true combo, then it probably wasn't right for you. 2. Cerave has niacinamide in it which roughly 20% of the people assume to not tolerate. When people don't tolerate, it causes bumps, acne and even for some people stinging. 3. The fact that you have dry patches despite combo skin may mean you're dehydrated. Signs of dehydration is dry patches, makeup looking patchy after applying, gray skin, products you apply on your skin is immediately absorbed etc. Dehydration can be targeted through hydration toners, hyaluronic acid serums followed by lightweight, oil-free, water based moisturizer. Coming to your new skincare routine. Roundlab Dokdo range is for sensitized, drier skin. It's foam cleanser is pretty mild, and it's moisturizer is more thicker with oils. Also, someone above commented on the same, but application of skincare products goes from thinner to thicker (there are some exceptions). Toner first, followed by serum, moisturizer. SPF comes last. If you're combo to oily, you might enjoy CosRx Good morning gel cleanser. If you're combo to normal/dry (please don't mix up dryness with dehydration, they're different things), you can look into Erborian Centella gel cleanser. If you think you're dehydrated, I'd strongly suggest to add a hydrating toner. Something like Round lab - birch juice moisturizing toner, or cosrx snail mucin, or jumiso waterfull hyaluronic acid toner if you're a fan of kbeauty. For moisturizer, again it depends on whether you're combo to normal/dry or combo to oily. If you're combo to dry, mixsoon bean cream or caudalie resveratrol day cream are really good options. If you're combo to oily, avene hydrance gel cream is a good option. Or neutrogena hydro boost water gel is also a good one. Hope this helps.
r/SkincareAddiction
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3 more quotes available below

What Redditors Say

Best praise vs top criticism for Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly

Best Praise
+49 pts
My dermatologist won’t let me put anything on my face after any minor surgery by Vaseline. Not even aquapore- just Vaseline. My skin healed so fast. Supposedly to remove stitches it take 4-7bdays, but my skin healed up so fast they have to remove the stitches in 3 days tops. Any wound, dryness - this is all that doctors recommend. My mom also swears that putting light Vaseline on your face and rinsing it before you get out of the shower and applying make up after, your make up will be vibrant and last longer. She was an actress in the 70s and this is how the production make up artist does her make up.
r/SkincareAddiction
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Top Criticism
+11 pts
I guess whoever who hasn't tried it yet, give it a go . But I've since learned during the winter trying to combat dry air, that dabbing a a little Vaseline a bit around my face, causes my face to break out like crazy the next day. Oh the night of, it is shiny and moist and lovely. But the next day, big ol bright red zits
r/SkincareAddiction
View
3 more quotes available below

📈Historical Price Data

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly
$8$12$16Jun '25Jul '25Sep '25Sep '25Sep '25Oct '25Dec '25Jan '26Apr '26May '26Low: $12.79Low: $5.97Current: $15.97Current: $9.99
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
All-time low: $3.99(2021-09)
Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly
All-time low: $2.29(2022-05)

Which is Better?

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Wins
75%
Cleanser
vs
73%
Jelly

Close race, but CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser edges ahead by 2 points based on 1,229 Reddit opinions.

Why Hydrating CleanserWinner
  • 🎯 Gentle and non-stripping
  • 💰 Affordable (usually under $10)
  • 🎯 Works well for sensitive skin
Why Petroleum Jelly
  • Better Value for Money (100% vs 67%)
  • More discussed (1,009 vs 220)

❤️The Love/Hate Breakdown

Sentiment Breakdown

27%Positive
Positive
27%
Neutral
64%
Negative
9%
Based on 220 Reddit opinions

Sentiment Breakdown

28%Positive
Positive
28%
Neutral
62%
Negative
10%
Based on 1,009 Reddit opinions

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser or Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly?
Based on 1,229 Reddit comments, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser has a slight edge with 75% positive sentiment vs Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly's 73%. The difference is small, so both are solid choices.
Should I buy CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser or Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly?
Both have similar approval ratings (75% vs 73%), so focus on specific features, pricing, and what matters most to you.
What do Redditors love about CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser?
Reddit users highlight: Gentle and non-stripping. Affordable (usually under $10). Works well for sensitive skin. With 220 mentions and 75% approval, it's a well-regarded choice in the community.
What do Redditors say about Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly?
Reddit users highlight: Dermatologist rec'd for healing after minor. Heals skin fast and effectively. Works as an effective, affordable occlusive. With 1,009 mentions and 73% approval, it remains a popular alternative.
How many Reddit reviews were analyzed?
This comparison analyzed 1,229 Reddit comments: 220 about CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and 1,009 about Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly. Data was sourced from Skincare products community discussions.
How accurate are these ratings?
Our sentiment analysis is approximately 80-85% accurate compared to manual review. Well-discussed products with many mentions tend to have more reliable scores than niche items with fewer data points.
Why trust Reddit over professional reviews?
Reddit users bought products with their own money and have no incentive to mislead. You're seeing hundreds of real opinions across different use cases, not just one reviewer's take. This crowdsourced approach surfaces both common praise and recurring complaints.

465 Reddit opinions analyzed · Last updated 6/24/2026