🇦🇺Australia

Cetaphil vs Clinique

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

Cetaphil and Clinique are American skincare brands known for their thoughtful ranges of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and more, formulated with nourishing ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine. The first brand suits combination skin and acne-prone skin best, while the second brand suits sensitive skin and dry skin best. They differ primarily in their specific target skin types and distinct core ingredient profiles, with both offering specialized standout products for concerns such as acne, dark spots, and aging.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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 Cetaphil and Clinique products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Cetaphil vs Clinique products

People Say

CetaphilClinique
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Works well under makeup Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Layers really well under makeup — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
  • Smoother skin and texture improvement Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Skin looks smoother and even-toned — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Gentle exfoliation Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “You will see the dirt with one wipe — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • Lack of lather or unusual texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “feels a bit sticky — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Miss the bubbles, feels like washing with lotion. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scent or chemical smell Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for dry skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · A$203.09 · 84% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$365.39 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for oily skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · A$431.02 · 87% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$490.43 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for combination skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · A$335.53 · 88% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$469.78 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Clinique: which is better?

Cetaphil is better for gentle, budget-friendly hydration, while Clinique is better for texture improvement and makeup performance based on the products on this page. Lovi rates Cetaphil's routine fit as High for combination skin and acne-prone skin, compared to Clinique's Average fit for those skin types.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Clinique?

Cetaphil is better for gentleness on sensitive skin, hydration, and lower price points, while Clinique does better with texture improvement, exfoliation, and working under makeup. Both brands offer equal routine fit levels for dry, oily, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin, but Cetaphil achieves a higher fit level for combination, acne-prone, mature, dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin on the products on this page.

Cetaphil or Clinique for dry skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for dry skin among the products on this page. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides better hydration and moisture, while Clinique is often perceived as having a higher price point.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil offers gentle, non-stripping cleansers that are mostly mentioned by reviewers, while Clinique is noted for having a higher price point and occasional breakout issues with some cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Clinique?

Cetaphil is more affordable than Clinique, as high price point is a noted drawback for Clinique while Cetaphil is recognized as having a better price point.

Between Cetaphil and Clinique, which brand is better for mature skin?

Between Cetaphil and Clinique, Cetaphil is better for mature skin overall, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit for mature skin while Clinique achieves an Average fit. Cetaphil does better on review themes like gentleness on sensitive skin, hydration and moisture, and a lower price point.

Which skincare brand performs better for skin with dark spots, Cetaphil or Clinique?

Cetaphil performs better for skin with dark spots, achieving a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit level on the products on this page. Ingredients like niacinamide help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil versus Clinique: which brand handles combination skin better?

Cetaphil handles combination skin better with a High routine fit on the products on this page, whereas Clinique achieves an Average routine fit. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides better hydration and moisture.

Cetaphil or Clinique for oily skin?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit for oily skin on the products on this page. Cetaphil features key ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide to help manage oil and hydration, while Clinique relies on glycerin and salicylic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil and Clinique are both popular choices, but Cetaphil achieves a High fit level for dry skin routines on this page compared to Clinique's Average fit for several of its moisturizers like moisture surge. Cetaphil moisturizers help provide hydrating, non-greasy care that reviewers mostly mention as a positive attribute.

Cetaphil or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer products on this page that provide a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil does better for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

Cetaphil is a better fit for acne-prone skin, achieving a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average level. Cetaphil features products on this page that help provide gentle, non-stripping cleansing.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play