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CeraVe vs SK-II

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

CeraVe and SK-II are distinct skincare brands representing accessible American dermatological science and luxurious Japanese heritage, respectively. CeraVe is widely loved for its thoughtful range of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and more, all formulated with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while the latter is deeply loved for its transformative moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, and balancing toners, all elevated by its signature ingredient, pitera. Both suit acne-prone skin best, though the American line also suits combination skin, and the Japanese brand also suits dry sensitive skin. They differ primarily in their core formulations and cultural origins, with the American brand utilizing hyaluronic acid and glycerin to lengthen wrinkle reduction duration and improve barrier function, and the Japanese brand employing pitera to measurably improve pore area, roughness, and redness.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular CeraVe and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs SK-II products

People Say

CeraVeSK-II
  • 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Fragrance and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Brightening, Radiance, and Glow Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin is literally glowing — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
  • Acne and Oil Control Sometimes NotedRarely 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”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Value and Pricing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Price Point Complaints Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or Underwhelming Results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “takes a few months — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “meh — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Texture and Application Issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · AED 400.41 · 89% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,470.10 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,468.63 · 88% fitBuy CeraVe routine · AED 864.04 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · AED 850.34 · 93% fitBuy SK-II routine · AED 2,424.45 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or SK-II: which is better?

CeraVe and SK-II are both good options, as both brands fit dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, mature skin, dry sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin at equal levels. CeraVe does better for fragrance and gentle formula, acne and oil control, and value and pricing, while SK-II does better for brightening, radiance, and glow.

CeraVe or SK-II for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for oily skin. CeraVe does better for acne and oil control, while both brands are equal in hydration and moisture.

CeraVe or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers moisturizers with a Superior fit for combination skin and a High fit for dry skin, utilizing barrier-repairing ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help lock in moisture. SK-II also features moisturizers with a High fit for dry skin, focusing on its signature Pitera ingredient.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or SK-II?

CeraVe is more affordable than SK-II, as the products on this page show better value and pricing with fewer price point complaints.

CeraVe or SK-II for sensitive skin?

CeraVe and SK-II are both a High fit for sensitive skin on this page, but CeraVe does better for fragrance and gentle formulas. Its products help deliver deep hydration with ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which are backed by barrier repair research.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. CeraVe features effective cleansers for acne and oil along with key ingredients like salicylic acid, while SK-II offers options such as Genoptics Ultraura Essence.

CeraVe or SK-II for combination skin?

CeraVe has a Superior fit for combination skin on this page, while SK-II has a High fit. Review themes show that CeraVe does better for acne and oil control as well as value and pricing.

CeraVe or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, CeraVe is the better choice because the products on this page have a superior routine fit compared to SK-II. Ingredients like niacinamide help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or SK-II for mature skin?

For mature skin, CeraVe and SK-II offer equal routine fit at a High level. CeraVe helps with fragrance-free formulas, while SK-II does better with brightening, radiance, and glow.

Research behind their key ingredients

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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