What's the difference between CeraVe and Vaseline?

Vaseline Healing Jelly Original is a single ingredient, white petrolatum. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is a multi-ingredient moisturizer that contains petrolatum along with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

Is CeraVe or Vaseline better for slugging?

Neither brand page gives slugging directions. If you want a single-ingredient occlusive, that's Vaseline. CeraVe's cream combines petrolatum with moisturizing ingredients in one product.

CeraVe vs Vaseline: Moisturizing Cream vs Healing Jelly

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Vaseline Healing Jelly come up together a lot, especially when people talk about "slugging" (finishing a routine with a thick layer that seals everything in). They're very different products though. One is a full moisturizer with a long ingredient list. The other is a single ingredient.

CeraVe vs Vaseline at a glance

Feature	CeraVe Moisturizing Cream	Vaseline Healing Jelly Original
What it is	Face and body moisturizing cream	Petroleum jelly
Ingredients	Multi-ingredient: three ceramides, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, petrolatum and more	White petrolatum USP (100%)
Contains petrolatum	Yes	Yes (it is the only ingredient)
Fragrance	Fragrance-free (per CeraVe)	Fragrance-free (per Vaseline)
Brand notes	Non-comedogenic; NEA Seal of Acceptance; ages 3 and up	Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic; NEA Seal of Acceptance
Directions (brand)	Apply liberally to face and body as often as needed, day or night	Apply to skin, focusing on dry areas such as hands, feet, lips and elbows; repeat as needed

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

CeraVe describes its Moisturizing Cream as a rich, non-greasy moisturizer for normal to dry skin on the face and body. It's built around what CeraVe calls three essential ceramides, plus hyaluronic acid, dimethicone and petrolatum, and CeraVe says its MVE Delivery Technology releases these over time. CeraVe calls it fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, says it's accepted by the National Eczema Association and says it's gentle enough for the whole family from age 3.

Vaseline Healing Jelly Original

Vaseline's Original jelly is one ingredient: white petrolatum USP (100%). Vaseline calls it triple-purified, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, and says it has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Vaseline describes it as creating a protective barrier that locks in moisture. Sizes on Vaseline's US page run from 1.75 oz to 13 oz.

CeraVe or Vaseline for slugging?

Neither brand page tells you how to slug, so we can't quote an official method. What the ingredient lists show is simple. Vaseline is pure petrolatum and nothing else. CeraVe's cream also contains petrolatum, but alongside ceramides, hyaluronic acid and the rest of a moisturizer formula. If you want a single-ingredient occlusive, that's Vaseline. If you want one product that does the moisturizing as well, that's the CeraVe cream. Want to look at the CeraVe list in detail? Paste it into our pore-clogging checker.

Sources

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (cerave.com) (checked 10 Nov 2026)
Vaseline Healing Jelly Original (vaseline.com) (checked 10 Nov 2026)

How we wrote this: we haven't tested these products. This page only uses what the brands publish on their product pages and labels (descriptions, directions and ingredient lists), linked under Sources. Words in quotes are the brand's own claims. Formulas, sizes and prices change, so check the pack you buy. This is general information, not medical advice.

CeraVe vs Vaseline: Moisturizing Cream vs Healing Jelly

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