The Ordinary Niacinamide 5% Face and Body Emulsion vs Cetaphil Advanced Radiance Lotion

The Ordinary

Cetaphil

A body lotion built around Niacinamide and AHA, for hydration and barrier repair.

A body lotion built around Panthenol and Niacinamide, for barrier repair and hydration.

Body lotion

19 ingredients

18 ingredients

Brand price

USD 12.60 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from Canada

Brand from United States

At a Glance

They come out differently on Silicone-free, Oil-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin, Propanediol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair3
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin, Niacinamide, Tocopherol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide
Smoothing2
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Citric Acid, Niacinamide

Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Panthenol, Pantolactone, Sodium PCA
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ethyl Macadamiate, Ethylhexyl Olivate, Isoceteth-20, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Tocopherol

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis7
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate
May Worsen Oily Skin2
May increase shine or excess oil.
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Ethyl Macadamiate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Sphingomonas Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Ethylhexyl Olivate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Acrylates Copolymer
Viscosity Controlling

Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Isopropyl Palmitate
Emollient
4 / 1
- Esters listed as pore-clogging in animal testing only
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
0 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
2 / 3
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dimethicone
Emollient
1 / 0
- Silicones
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Smoothing
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Citric Acid
Buffering, Chelating, Fragrance
Citric Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Citric Acid →