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CeraVe vs Clinique

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

CeraVe and Clinique are American skincare brands offering trusted arrays of moisturizers, serums, and cleansers designed for distinct complexions. CeraVe relies on key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, while Clinique incorporates caffeine alongside these elements to suit sensitive skin and dry skin best. Both brands differ in their founding eras and specific standout solutions, yet their shared reliance on restorative properties ensures tailored daily care.

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

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

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular CeraVe vs Clinique products

People Say

CeraVeClinique
  • 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”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
  • 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 my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Skin Texture and Clarity Improvements Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
  • Makeup Removal and Application Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Value and Pricing Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “lasts forever — Clinique all about clean”
  • Breakouts and Acne Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Price and Cost Complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Packaging Complaints Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Unhygienic tub — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “prefer a pump dispenser — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · A$226.69 · 89% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$365.39 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · A$392.56 · 82% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$490.43 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · A$347.16 · 85% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$469.78 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better?

CeraVe and Clinique both offer fragrance-free formulas, but CeraVe achieves a High Lovi routine fit across a broader range of skin types compared to Clinique. Reviewers note that the products on this page from CeraVe provide better value and hydration, whereas Clinique is often praised for its makeup removal.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clinique?

CeraVe and Clinique offer products with fragrance-free and gentle formulas, but CeraVe provides better value and pricing with a higher Lovi fit for combination, acne-prone, mature, and dark-spot skin types. Clinique excels in makeup removal and application compared to CeraVe.

CeraVe or Clinique for dry skin?

Both brands provide a High routine fit for dry skin, though CeraVe is often noted for its deep hydration and ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids.

CeraVe or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers on this page, with superior ratings across several skin types and popular reviews noting gentle, non-stripping formulas as well as effective options for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clinique?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clinique, as the products on this page show CeraVe doing better in value and pricing.

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better for skin with dark spots?

CeraVe is better for skin with dark spots because the products on this page achieve a High fit level, whereas Clinique achieves an Average fit level. CeraVe includes niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or Clinique: which brand does better for makeup removal and application?

Clinique does better for makeup removal and application among the products on this page. Reviewers note that Clinique offers deeply dissolving makeup removers and effective makeup bases.

CeraVe or Clinique for oily skin?

CeraVe has a High routine fit for oily skin, whereas Clinique also has a High routine fit for oily skin. Both brands offer products with a High fit level for oily skin, such as CeraVe Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel and Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.

CeraVe or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers better moisturizers than Clinique for overall value and hydration among the products on this page. CeraVe achieves High to Superior routine fit levels for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, whereas Clinique's moisturizers often score in the Average range for those skin types.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both brands are a strong match for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both CeraVe and Clinique as High for this skin type. The products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients, helping to keep routines gentle.

CeraVe or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better than Clinique, as Lovi rates CeraVe's routine at a High fit level for this skin type compared to Clinique's Average fit level. CeraVe offers various products on this page tailored to help manage acne, including specialized cleansers and gels.

CeraVe or Clinique for mature skin?

CeraVe is better for mature skin than Clinique. Lovi rates CeraVe's routine fit as High for mature skin, while Clinique's routine fit is Average.

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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