CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay
CeraVe and La Roche-Posay are popular skincare brands owned by L'Oréal that offer thoughtful moisturizers, gentle cleansers, nourishing serums, and sunscreens. The American brand is widely loved for its formulations featuring hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting acne-prone skin and combination skin best. Conversely, the French brand is known for utilizing mineral-rich thermal water and niacinamide to best support oily skin and acne-prone skin. While both options feature hydrating glycerin, they differ in their origins, foundational active ingredients, and target skin types.
CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.
en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com
La Roche-Posay is a French skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1989.
laroche-posay.com.aufr.wikipedia.org
This page compares some of the most popular CeraVe and La Roche-Posay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay products
People Say
Skin Sensitivities and Gentleness Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
- “Great retinol for beginners — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
- “Only cream that doesn't sting — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “absorbs instantly — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “skin feels plump — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
- “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
- “lightweight and absorbs quickly — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “absorbs in seconds — La Roche-Posay Anthelios”
Texture Improvement and Brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
- “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
- “skin looks brighter — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “visibly fades appearance of stubborn marks — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
Skin Barrier and Healing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “healed cracked hands — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
- “Helped repair my moisture barrier — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
- “Saved my damaged barrier — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+”
- “Healed my surgery scar beautifully — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5”
Acne and Oil Control Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
- “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
- “clears acne blemishes — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser”
Packaging Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “tube splitting at seams — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
- “pump stops working — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “Pump stopped working halfway — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
Texture Issues and Greasiness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
- “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “Very sticky — La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum”
Burning, Stinging, and Irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “burns my eyes — La Roche-Posay Anthelios”
- “burned my face — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “Triggered cystic acne — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+”
- “caused bad purging — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser”
- “clogged my pores — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay routines for dry skin
-
Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 32.95
-
Moisturizer
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 40.41
-
SPF
Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen
Morning
AED 79.65
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
AED 35.29
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 60.50
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
- Cleanser Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
Moisturizer
Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 78.95
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
AED 89.20
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
AED 74.76
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening
AED 38.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Gel B5
Evening · Once a week
AED 59.50
-
Enzyme Powder
VT Cica Mild Powder Wash
Once a week
AED 47.62
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
AED 65.00
Buy CeraVe routine · AED 400.41 · 89% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · AED 454.02 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 87.10
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 49.99
- Moisturizer Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
AED 89.20
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
AED 74.76
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 49.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 49.99
-
Moisturizer
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 58.65
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
AED 40.41
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
AED 120.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 60.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
AED 204.00
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · AED 726.14 · 89% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · AED 864.04 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 49.95
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 145.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 58.65
-
SPF
Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen
Morning
AED 79.65
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
AED 179.45
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 60.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
-
Cleanser
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
AED 87.10
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
AED 145.00
- Moisturizer Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
AED 89.20
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
AED 74.76
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
AED 53.12
-
Serum or Treatment
Effaclar Ultra Concentrated Serum
Evening · Once a week
AED 108.45
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
AED 101.09
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
AED 122.93
Buy CeraVe routine · AED 850.34 · 93% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · AED 781.65 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay: which is better?
Both brands offer strong options, but CeraVe achieves superior routine fit on this page for combination skin, acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots. Reviewers highlight CeraVe for better acne and oil control, while every product on its page lists no fragrance.
What is the difference between CeraVe and La Roche-Posay?
CeraVe and La Roche-Posay are both owned by L'Oréal and offer fragrance-free options among the products on this page, but CeraVe achieves superior routine fit levels for combination skin, acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots. CeraVe formulas commonly feature ceramides and hyaluronic acid, while La Roche-Posay frequently incorporates thermal water and soothing ingredients like panthenol.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for dry skin?
Both brands are a good match for dry skin, as Lovi rates their routines as high for this skin type. Every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance, whereas 21 of 35 products on the La Roche-Posay page list no fragrance.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay: which cleanser is better?
Both CeraVe and La Roche-Posay offer effective, gentle cleansers, but CeraVe does better for acne and oil control among the products on this page. Reviewers note that CeraVe provides effective cleansers for acne and oil while remaining gentle and non-stripping.
Which is more affordable, CeraVe or La Roche-Posay?
The provided page facts do not mention the prices of CeraVe and La Roche-Posay products, though reviewers note that La Roche-Posay sometimes has price, value, and size concerns.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay: which brand has fragrance-free products?
Every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while La Roche-Posay includes fragrance in some of its products on this page.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for oily skin?
Both CeraVe and La Roche-Posay offer a high routine fit for oily skin. CeraVe achieves an extra edge for acne and oil control across the products on this page.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer moisturizers that help hydrate the skin, with CeraVe providing fragrance-free options across the products on this page.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for sensitive skin?
Both brands offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Every CeraVe product on this page lists no fragrance, whereas 21 of 35 La Roche-Posay products contain no fragrance.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay: which sunscreen is better?
Both brands offer strong sunscreens, with CeraVe providing fragrance-free options like the Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30 and La Roche-Posay offering options like Anthelios. Review themes show both brands handle sun protection well.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for acne-prone skin?
CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better than La Roche-Posay, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to La Roche-Posay's High level.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for combination skin?
CeraVe has a Superior routine fit for combination skin, while La Roche-Posay has a High routine fit.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for skin with dark spots?
CeraVe has a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots, whereas La Roche-Posay has a High routine fit. The products on this page from both brands help target uneven pigmentation using ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Ethosomes of Phenylethyl Resorcinol as Vesicular Delivery System for Skin Lightening Applications
Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
A Bayesian network meta-analysis of 14 molecules inhibiting UV daylight-induced pigmentation
Amino acid complex (AAComplex) benefits in cosmetic products: In vitro and in vivo clinical studies
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Effects of an ultraviolet B radiation absorber on photocarcinogenesis in hairless albino mice
In vitro analysis of immunoprotective effects of topical sunscreens
Behind this comparison
Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.



















































