CeraVe vs Shiseido
CeraVe and Shiseido are skincare brands known for offering moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and more, formulated with key ingredients like glycerin. The American brand, founded in 2005, features standout solutions like the Foaming Facial Cleanser and suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand, founded in 1872, features standout products like the Treatment Softener and suits sensitive skin and oily skin best. Ultimately, while both utilize glycerin to improve hydration, they differ in their heritage and targeted 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
Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.
corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com
This page compares some of the most popular CeraVe and Shiseido products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular CeraVe vs Shiseido products
People Say
Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
- “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
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 — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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”
- “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
Fades acne marks and improves texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
- “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
- “Velvety smooth — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
- “wrinkles look softer — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
Fast absorption and radiance boost Not notedOften Mentioned
- “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “Pleasant floral fragrance, relaxing, luxurious smell. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
Luxurious texture and feel Not notedOften Mentioned
- “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
Product price and high cost Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
- “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
Packaging and pump issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “heavy to travel — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
- “Heavy bottle but plastic pump, cannot see remaining product, straw too short to get last drops. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “heavy jar, waste of plastic, faulty pump (on dispenser versions) — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
CeraVe vs Shiseido routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$19.39
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning
A$28.55
-
Moisturizer
Skin Renewing Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$30.69
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
A$19.39
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$31.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$33.69
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
-
Cleanser
Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$94.24
-
Hydrating Toner
Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
Morning
A$90.01
-
Moisturizer
Essential Energy Hydrating Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$119.50
-
SPF
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
Morning
A$24.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
A$27.35
-
Serum or Treatment
Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
A$95.95
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
Buy CeraVe routine · A$226.69 · 89% fit
Buy Shiseido routine · A$515.52 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
CeraVe vs Shiseido routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$94.24
-
Hydrating Toner
Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
Morning · Once a week
A$90.01
-
Moisturizer
Essential Energy Hydrating Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$119.50
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
A$27.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$80.43
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
A$95.95
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$13.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$28.55
-
Moisturizer
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$36.14
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
A$19.39
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$31.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$33.69
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy Shiseido routine · A$737.92 · 84% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · A$392.56 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
CeraVe vs Shiseido routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$13.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$28.55
-
Moisturizer
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$28.99
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
A$19.39
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$31.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$41.49
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
-
Cleanser
Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$94.24
-
Hydrating Toner
Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
Morning · Once a week
A$90.01
-
Moisturizer
Essential Energy Hydrating Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$119.50
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
A$30.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
A$95.95
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy CeraVe routine · A$347.16 · 85% fit
Buy Shiseido routine · A$614.44 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit
Questions and answers
CeraVe or Shiseido: which is better?
CeraVe is generally better for fragrance-free and gentle formulations, whereas Shiseido is often noted for offering deeper hydration and luxurious textures. Reviewers find that CeraVe helps provide lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and effective cleansers, while Shiseido frequently helps improve radiance and firmness.
What is the difference between CeraVe and Shiseido?
CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free and gentle formulation, whereas Shiseido is known for its luxurious textures and deep hydration. CeraVe offers products on this page that help repair the skin barrier using ceramides, while Shiseido formulas frequently include fragrance and carry a higher price point.
CeraVe or Shiseido for dry skin?
CeraVe has a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Shiseido has an Average fit. CeraVe offers fragrance-free, ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help alleviate dry skin conditions.
CeraVe or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?
CeraVe cleanser products on this page are better suited for gentle, fragrance-free routines, while Shiseido cleansers are often noted for deep cleansing and luxurious textures. CeraVe formulas focus heavily on ceramides to help repair the skin barrier, whereas Shiseido products frequently include added fragrances.
Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Shiseido?
CeraVe is more affordable than Shiseido, as Shiseido is noted for having a high price point. Review themes on the page indicate that high cost is a drawback primarily associated with Shiseido.
CeraVe or Shiseido: which offers better fragrance-free options?
CeraVe offers better fragrance-free options, as every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, many Shiseido products on the page contain added fragrance, which reviewers note as a frequent issue.
CeraVe or Shiseido: which brand is better for anti-aging and mature skin?
CeraVe offers products on this page with High fit levels for mature skin, while Shiseido also achieves High fit levels for mature skin and is noted for its firming and line-reducing moisturizers. Retinol helps reduce signs of aging by stimulating collagen accumulation in aged skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
CeraVe or Shiseido: which provides deeper hydration?
Shiseido provides deeper hydration for the products on this page according to reviewer feedback. However, CeraVe features ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help maintain moisture by supporting skin barrier function.
CeraVe or Shiseido for oily skin?
Both CeraVe and Shiseido offer products with a High routine fit level for oily skin. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas, while Shiseido provides options with a luxurious texture.
CeraVe or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?
CeraVe is better for fragrance-free and lightweight moisturizers, while Shiseido offers a more luxurious texture and deep hydration. The products on this page for both brands feature hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin moisture.
CeraVe or Shiseido for sensitive skin?
Both CeraVe and Shiseido offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin, but CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free and gentle formulation across the products on this page. CeraVe helps maintain skin health with ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids, which may alleviate barrier disruption and soothe irritation.
CeraVe or Shiseido: which sunscreen is better?
Both CeraVe and Shiseido offer sunscreens on the products on this page, but CeraVe stands out for being fragrance-free, whereas Shiseido reviewers frequently note a strong fragrance. CeraVe sunscreens help deliver effective sun protection with a gentle formula that is unlikely to irritate sensitive skin.
CeraVe or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?
Both CeraVe and Shiseido offer products with a high routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. CeraVe helps provide fragrance-free and gentle formulations with key ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide, while Shiseido helps deliver deep hydration and efficient cleansers.
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
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
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
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Anatomical site differences of sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation: randomized controlled trial
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Transdermal Delivery of Baicalin Based on Bio-Vesicles and Its Efficacy in Antiaging of the Skin
Liposomal formulation of a vitamin C derivative: a promising strategy to increase skin permeability
New Chalcone-Derived Molecule for the Topical Regulation of Hyperpigmentation and Skin Aging
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic 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.
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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
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