🇨🇦Canada

CeraVe vs Neutrogena

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

CeraVe and Neutrogena are American skincare brands offering thoughtful and reliable moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and more. While CeraVe suits dry skin and acne-prone skin best with hydrating properties from hyaluronic acid and glycerin, Neutrogena suits mature skin and combination skin best with nourishing elements like dimethicone. For specific concerns, the former brand offers standout solutions such as the Foaming Facial Cleanser, while the latter brand provides options like the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser. Both brands differ in their founding years, corporate ownership, and specific formulations, yet they both work harmoniously to restore barrier function and improve hydration.

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

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

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Neutrogena products

People Say

CeraVeNeutrogena
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formulation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “clean but not dry — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Fragrance-free options Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Perfect for sensitive eyes, no stinging — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
  • Skin texture improvement Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Value for money and affordability Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The dropper is not efficient. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Hate dipping fingers into a jar — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Find it unsanitary — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
  • Unpleasant or slimy textures Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “formula is too runny — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scents or fragrances Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · CA$163.70 · 90% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · CA$95.37 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · CA$276.56 · 83% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · CA$269.33 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · CA$228.68 · 86% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · CA$222.43 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Neutrogena for dry skin?

CeraVe fits dry skin better with a Superior routine level compared to Neutrogena's High level. Reviewers note that CeraVe provides deep hydration while offering gentler, non-stripping formulations and superior barrier repair from ceramide-dominant ingredients.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe is better for gentle, non-stripping cleansing formulations. The products on this page help maintain the skin barrier and are completely fragrance-free.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Neutrogena?

CeraVe is more affordable than Neutrogena, as value for money is one of the areas where CeraVe does better according to the review themes on this page.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which is better for sensitive skin?

CeraVe is better for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Neutrogena's Average. CeraVe also provides gentler, non-stripping formulations across the products on this page.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which brand has more fragrance-free options?

Both brands offer extensive fragrance-free options as every product on the CeraVe page and 35 of the 39 products on the Neutrogena page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which offers better skin texture improvement?

CeraVe offers better skin texture improvement according to reviewer themes on this page. Its products on the page feature ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help restore the skin barrier.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for oily skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page for both brands provide lightweight and non-greasy moisturizers.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe and Neutrogena both offer moisturizers with a high fit for various skin types, but CeraVe achieves a Superior fit level for dry skin specifically with products like its Moisturizing Cream. Reviewers often mention that the products on this page for both brands provide deep hydration and lightweight textures.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for sensitive skin?

CeraVe fits sensitive skin better than Neutrogena, achieving a High Lovi fit level compared to Neutrogena's Average fit level. CeraVe formulas are designed to be gentle and non-stripping, and every product on the CeraVe page is completely fragrance-free.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which sunscreen is better?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena offer highly effective sunscreens on the products on this page, with similar top fit levels across multiple skin types. CeraVe formulas focus on barrier-repairing ceramides and hyaluronic acid, while Neutrogena options frequently provide lightweight textured sunscreens.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena fit acne-prone skin at a High level on the products on this page. CeraVe offers fragrance-free options across all its products, whereas Neutrogena has a few items with fragrance.

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