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CeraVe vs Simple

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

CeraVe and Simple are accessible drugstore lines, with the former being an American brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017, and the latter a British brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011. CeraVe is universally loved for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and more, formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to best suit dry skin and acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, Simple is deeply loved for its gentle moisturizers, soothing makeup removers, dependable cleansers, and refreshing toners, formulated with niacinamide and glycerin to best suit oily skin and mature skin. Both offer targeted solutions for specific concerns, but they differ in their core formulations and the skin types they accommodate best.

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

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

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular CeraVe vs Simple products

People Say

CeraVeSimple
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • 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”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Value and Affordability Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Makeup Removal Difficulties Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · CA$163.70 · 90% fitBuy Simple routine · CA$156.25 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · CA$271.73 · 87% fitBuy CeraVe routine · CA$276.56 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · CA$228.68 · 86% fitBuy Simple routine · CA$214.83 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Simple: which is better?

CeraVe fits dry skin with a Superior routine level, whereas Simple reaches a High level. Both brands offer fragrance-free products, but CeraVe features a wider variety of key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

What is the difference between CeraVe and Simple?

CeraVe has a Superior routine fit for dry skin and generally features key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, whereas Simple is more value-friendly and offers an Average or High fit depending on the routine. Both brands provide fragrance-free products, but reviewers note that Simple may cause breakouts or irritations more often.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple for dry skin?

CeraVe fits dry skin better, with a Superior routine fit compared to Simple at High. Reviewers note that CeraVe provides superior healing and texture in moisturizers along with deep hydration, while both brands offer fragrance-free and gentle formulas.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers on this page, with multiple options achieving a Superior fit level for various skin types. Simple cleansers on this page generally reach an Average or Low fit level.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers mention it offers value and affordability while the products on this page are generally value-friendly.

Which brand performs better for texture and absorption, CeraVe or Simple?

CeraVe performs better than Simple for texture and absorption according to reviewer feedback on the page. The products on this page help provide lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and superior healing and texture.

Which brand has better makeup removal capabilities according to the review themes?

Simple has better makeup removal capabilities according to the review themes.

What are the primary key ingredients found across CeraVe products compared to Simple?

CeraVe products feature key ingredients including ceramide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, ceramide ap, dimethicone, and salicylic acid, whereas Simple products focus on niacinamide and glycerin. Ceramides help with barrier repair lipids, hyaluronic acid helps with deep hydration, and niacinamide helps reduce pigmentation.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple for oily skin?

CeraVe and Simple offer an equal High routine fit for oily skin. CeraVe features products on this page with superior oily-skin options like the Foaming Facial Cleanser, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

CeraVe or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe is better for moisturizers because the products on this page offer superior texture and absorption. Reviewers mostly mention that CeraVe provides lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers with superior healing and texture.

CeraVe or Simple for sensitive skin?

CeraVe has a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin, while Simple also has a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page, but CeraVe features a ceramide-dominant barrier repair approach that helps support skin health.

CeraVe or Simple for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better than Simple, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High fit level. CeraVe features targeted ingredients like salicylic acid and ceramides, which help manage blemishes and support the skin barrier.

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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