Moisturizer vs. Cream — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 3, 2023
Moisturizer is a skincare product designed to hydrate and prevent moisture loss; cream is a thicker, richer form of moisturizer, providing more intense hydration.
Difference Between Moisturizer and Cream
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Moisturizer and Cream are both essential skincare products, each serving a distinctive role in skincare routines. Moisturizer primarily hydrates the skin, maintaining its natural moisture levels, and preventing dryness and dehydration. It usually has a lighter consistency and is designed to be absorbed quickly by the skin, leaving it feeling soft and refreshed.
Cream, in the context of skincare, is a type of moisturizer but tends to have a thicker and richer consistency due to a higher oil content. Creams are usually more hydrating and nourishing, providing a protective barrier on the skin, making them ideal for dry or mature skin types and for use in colder weather when the skin is more prone to dryness.
Although every cream is a moisturizer, not every moisturizer is a cream. The term "moisturizer" is a broad category that includes various formulations like lotions, gels, ointments, and, of course, creams. Each formulation has its unique texture, consistency, and suitability for different skin types and conditions.
Understanding the distinction between moisturizer and cream is vital for effective skincare. Choosing the right product depends on individual skin needs, preferences, and environmental conditions. For instance, individuals with oily skin might prefer a lightweight moisturizer, while those with dry skin may opt for a more nourishing cream.
Comparison Chart
Consistency
Generally lighter and less oily.
Thicker, richer, and more oily.
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Hydration Level
Provides hydration and moisture.
Offers more intense hydration.
Oil Content
Typically has lower oil content.
Contains higher levels of oils.
Use
Suitable for all skin types.
Ideal for dry or mature skin.
Texture
Can be in the form of lotion, gel, etc.
Is more dense and heavy.
Compare with Definitions
Moisturizer
A skincare product formulated to hydrate the skin and maintain its natural moisture balance.
Applying a good moisturizer daily keeps the skin soft and supple.
Cream
Suitable for dry, mature, or sensitive skin types needing extra care.
Those with dry skin often benefit more from using a cream than a lighter moisturizer.
Moisturizer
Designed to prevent, alleviate, and protect against dryness and dehydration.
Use moisturizer to maintain skin's hydration levels, especially in dry weather.
Cream
Often used to target specific skin concerns like dryness, wrinkles, or redness.
She uses a cream to soothe her red, irritated skin.
Moisturizer
Can contain various ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, and SPF to benefit the skin.
Choose a moisturizer with SPF for added sun protection.
Cream
Ideal for use in colder weather to prevent skin from becoming dry and chapped.
In winter, switching to a cream can help avoid dry and flaky skin.
Moisturizer
Essential for maintaining skin health and preventing premature aging.
Regular use of moisturizer can combat signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines.
Cream
Cream is a dairy product composed of the higher-fat layer skimmed from the top of milk before homogenization. In un-homogenized milk, the fat, which is less dense, eventually rises to the top.
Moisturizer
Typically has a lightweight texture and is suitable for regular use.
She prefers a moisturizer with a light texture that absorbs quickly.
Cream
The yellowish fatty component of unhomogenized milk that tends to accumulate at the surface.
Moisturizer
Moisturizer, or emollient, is a cosmetic preparation used for protecting, moisturizing, and lubricating the skin. These functions are normally performed by sebum produced by healthy skin.
Cream
Any of various substances resembling or containing cream
Hand cream.
Moisturizer
A cosmetic lotion or cream applied to the skin to counter dryness.
Cream
A pale yellow to yellowish white.
Moisturizer
Something that causes moisture or a a condition of wetness; something that makes things moist.
The oil acts as a moisturizer to the wood.
Cream
The choicest part
The cream of the crop.
Moisturizer
Moisturising cream, emollient.
Cream
To form cream.
Cream
To form foam or froth at the top.
Cream
To have an orgasm.
Cream
To be excited or delighted about something.
Cream
To remove the cream from; skim.
Cream
To take or remove (the best part)
Creamed off the highest-paying jobs for her cronies.
Cream
To take the best part from
Creamed the whole department to form his management team.
Cream
To beat into a creamy consistency.
Cream
To prepare or cook in or with a cream sauce.
Cream
To add cream to.
Cream
To defeat overwhelmingly
Creamed our rival on their home court.
Cream
To damage severely; destroy
My camera got creamed when I dropped it.
Cream
Vulgar Slang To have an orgasm in (one's pants, for example).
Cream
The butterfat/milkfat part of milk which rises to the top; this part when separated from the remainder.
Take 100 ml of cream and 50 grams of sugar…
Cream
The liquid separated from milk, possibly with certain other milk products added, and with at least eighteen percent of it milkfat.
Cream
The liquid separated from milk containing at least 18 percent milkfat (48% for double cream).
Cream
(tea and coffee) A portion of cream, such as the amount found in a creamer.
I take my coffee with two cream and three sugar.
Cream
A yellowish white colour; the colour of cream.
Cream
(informal) Frosting, custard, creamer, or another substance similar to the oily part of milk or to whipped cream.
Cream
(figuratively) The best part of something.
The cream of the crop
The cream of a collection of books or pictures
Cream
(medicine) A viscous aqueous oil/fat emulsion with a medicament added, used to apply that medicament to the skin. (compare with ointment)
You look really sunburnt; you should apply some cream.
Cream
Semen.
Cream
(obsolete) The chrism or consecrated oil used in anointing ceremonies.
Cream
Cream-coloured; having a yellowish white colour.
Cream
To puree, to blend with a liquifying process.
Cream the vegetables with the olive oil, flour, salt and water mixture.
Cream
To turn a yellowish white colour; to give something the color of cream.
Cream
(slang) To obliterate, to defeat decisively.
We creamed the opposing team!
Cream
To ejaculate used of either gender.
Cream
To ejaculate in (clothing or a bodily orifice).
Cream
To rub, stir, or beat (butter) into a light creamy consistency.
Cream
(transitive) To skim, or take off by skimming, as cream.
Cream
To take off the best or choicest part of.
Cream
(transitive) To furnish with, or as if with, cream.
Cream
(intransitive) To gather or form cream.
Cream
The rich, oily, and yellowish part of milk, which, when the milk stands unagitated, rises, and collects on the surface. It is the part of milk from which butter is obtained.
Cream
The part of any liquor that rises, and collects on the surface.
Cream
A delicacy of several kinds prepared for the table from cream, etc., or so as to resemble cream.
Cream
A cosmetic; a creamlike medicinal preparation.
In vain she tries her paste and creams,To smooth her skin or hide its seams.
Cream
The best or choicest part of a thing; the quintessence; as, the cream of a jest or story; the cream of a collection of books or pictures.
Welcome, O flower and cream of knights errant.
Cream
To skim, or take off by skimming, as cream.
Cream
To take off the best or choicest part of.
Cream
To furnish with, or as with, cream.
Creaming the fragrant cups.
Cream
To form or become covered with cream; to become thick like cream; to assume the appearance of cream; hence, to grow stiff or formal; to mantle.
There are a sort of men whose visagesDo cream and mantle like a standing pool.
Cream
The best people or things in a group;
The cream of England's young men were killed in the Great War
Cream
The part of milk containing the butterfat
Cream
Toiletry consisting of any of various substances resembling cream that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin
Cream
Make creamy by beating;
Cream the butter
Cream
Put on cream, as on one's face or body;
She creams her face every night
Cream
Remove from the surface;
Skim cream from the surface of milk
Cream
Add cream to one's coffee, for example
Cream
A thick, rich skincare product providing intense hydration and nourishment.
Creams are ideal for addressing severe dryness and providing long-lasting hydration.
Cream
Contains a higher concentration of oils, creating a protective barrier on the skin.
A nourishing cream helps restore the skin’s natural barrier function.
Common Curiosities
Can moisturizer contain SPF?
Yes, many moisturizers contain SPF to provide sun protection.
Can moisturizer be used daily?
Absolutely, daily use of moisturizer helps maintain skin hydration and health.
Is cream too heavy for oily skin?
Often, people with oily skin prefer lighter moisturizers over heavy creams.
Is cream more suitable for dry skin?
Yes, the richer consistency of cream is often more suitable for dry or mature skin.
Is cream a type of moisturizer?
Yes, cream is a type of moisturizer but is thicker and more nourishing.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
