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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 known for their thoughtful ranges of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and more, all formulated with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. While CeraVe suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best with gentle hydrating properties, Clinique suits dry sensitive skin and oily skin best by incorporating invigorating caffeine alongside those comforting, balancing ingredients. Both brands offer standout solutions for specific concerns, but they differ in their foundational heritage, as the older enterprise was established in 1968 before the 2005-founded brand entered the market.

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 · CA$163.70 · 90% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$469.99 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · CA$276.56 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$386.05 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · CA$228.68 · 86% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$322.06 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better?

CeraVe and Clinique both provide gentle, fragrance-free formulas, but CeraVe achieves a better routine fit for dry skin, acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots among the products on this page. CeraVe offers superior deep hydration and better value, whereas Clinique excels in makeup removal and application.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clinique?

CeraVe offers superior routine fit for dry skin, acne-prone skin, and skin with dark spots compared to Clinique on the products on this page. CeraVe also scores better for hydration, moisture, value, and pricing, whereas Clinique excels in makeup removal and application.

CeraVe or Clinique for dry skin?

CeraVe is better for dry skin, giving a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit on the products on this page. CeraVe offers deep hydration and ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that may help alleviate dryness and support skin health.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers on this page, with the products on this page rated High or Superior for acne-prone, oily, and dry skin compared to lower ratings for Clinique. Reviewers also mention that CeraVe provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers and effective options for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clinique?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clinique, as value and pricing are areas where CeraVe performs better. Reviewers frequently complain about Clinique's high price point.

CeraVe or Clinique for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique offer products on this page that are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that CeraVe is generally praised for value and pricing, while Clinique is noted for makeup removal and application.

CeraVe or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior hydration for dry skin on this page, whereas Clinique fits average for dry skin. CeraVe moisturizers are mostly mentioned as lightweight and non-greasy, and ceramides help support barrier repair.

CeraVe or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. CeraVe and Clinique both formulate their products with no fragrance.

CeraVe or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High while Clinique is Average. The products on this page help provide effective care for acne and oily skin without added fragrance.

CeraVe or Clinique for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique are good options for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. CeraVe features a high volume of products with high ratings for mature skin, while Clinique offers specific high-performing treatments like its Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream.

CeraVe or Clinique for skin with dark spots?

CeraVe is a better option for skin with dark spots, with Lovi giving the products on this page a High fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation, and CeraVe includes this key ingredient across its products on the page.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or Clinique for dry sensitive skin?

Both brands offer products that fit dry sensitive skin well, as CeraVe achieves a High routine fit and Clinique achieves a High routine fit on this page.

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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