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CeraVe vs Clarins

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

CeraVe and Clarins are two renowned skincare brands, with the former known for its accessible moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens, and the latter celebrated for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners. While CeraVe suits dry and acne-prone skin best through ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, Clarins caters ideally to sensitive and dry sensitive skin using nourishing shea and hydrating squalane. Ultimately, these lines differ in their heritage and targeted approaches, as the American brand focuses on fundamental barrier restoration and hydration, whereas the French brand emphasizes botanical luxury and soothing restoration.

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

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

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Clarins products

People Say

CeraVeClarins
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Improves skin texture, barrier, and acne Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “healed cracked hands — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
  • Luxurious skincare and glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “insane how cooling it is — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “jar is tiny — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “dispenses too much — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts, irritation, or burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · A$226.69 · 89% fitBuy Clarins routine · A$394.74 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · A$392.56 · 82% fitBuy Clarins routine · A$585.59 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · A$347.16 · 85% fitBuy Clarins routine · A$557.60 · 70% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clarins: which is better?

CeraVe is better because it offers fragrance-free, lightweight formulas that provide deep hydration and effectively improve skin barrier health, while Clarins is often noted for a high price point and strong fragrance complaints. Both brands achieve equal routine fit levels for dry, sensitive, mature, and dark spot-prone skin types, but CeraVe performs better for oily and acne-prone skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clarins?

CeraVe offers fragrance-free, lightweight formulas featuring ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help repair the skin barrier, whereas Clarins provides luxurious textures and glow-boosting botanicals that often include added fragrance. Both brands achieve equal routine fit levels for dry, sensitive, mature, and dark spot-prone skin types, but CeraVe rates higher for oily and acne-prone skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clarins for dry skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for dry skin. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas with ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help restore the skin barrier, while Clarins provides luxurious textures with ingredients like shea butter and squalane for deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer cleansers suited for different skin needs, with CeraVe featuring fragrance-free, gentle options that often target acne and oil, while Clarins provides a range including gentle and hydrating foaming formulas. Lovi rates CeraVe's foaming and blemish cleansers as Superior for oily and acne-prone skin types, whereas Clarins cleansers generally fit various skin types at Average levels.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clarins?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clarins, as Clarins is noted for having a high price point. CeraVe offers budget-friendly products with lightweight textures and fragrance-free formulations.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, CeraVe or Clarins?

CeraVe has more fragrance-free products than Clarins, as every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients while only one of twenty-four products on the Clarins page does.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between CeraVe and Clarins?

CeraVe was founded in the United States in 2005, whereas Clarins was founded in France in 1954.

Which brand offers better results for oily acne-prone skin?

CeraVe offers better results for oily acne-prone skin, achieving a High routine fit compared to Clarins at an Average fit level. CeraVe features products on this page that help control oil and target acne effectively while remaining lightweight and non-greasy.

CeraVe or Clarins for oily skin?

CeraVe fits oily skin better than Clarins, as Lovi rates CeraVe's routine fit for oily skin as High while Clarins' is Average. The products on this page for CeraVe also offer lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and effective cleansers for oil, whereas Clarins formulas frequently contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe is better for moisturizers because the products on this page offer lightweight, non-greasy textures and deep hydration without added fragrance. Clarins moisturizers provide luxurious textures and a radiant glow, but they are frequently associated with strong fragrances and higher price points.

CeraVe or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins have a High routine fit for sensitive skin. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulations with ceramides that help repair the skin barrier, while Clarins offers luxurious textures that may feel heavier due to added fragrance.

CeraVe or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better with a High routine fit level, whereas Clarins has an Average routine fit level for this skin type. CeraVe offers lightweight, fragrance-free products containing ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide that help improve acne.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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