🇨🇦Canada

Cetaphil vs Elemis

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

Cetaphil and Elemis are two distinct skincare lines established to support diverse dermatological needs. Cetaphil features nourishing cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol that suit combination and oily acne-prone skin best. Conversely, Elemis offers nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners anchored by glycerin and shea that suit mature and dry skin best. While both utilize glycerin to increase hydration and restore barrier function, the American brand addresses congestion and dark spots with niacinamide and panthenol, whereas the British brand restores suppleness with shea butter.

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

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Cetaphil vs Elemis products

People Say

CetaphilElemis
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy application Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “absorbs quickly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Smooth, radiant and glowing skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Pleasant scents and spa experience Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Smell was great and not perfumy — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Scent and fragrance complaints Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
    • “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Breakouts and skin irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Stings my face immediately after applying. — Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer”
    • “caused whiteheads — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Developed milia and closed comedones. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”

Cetaphil vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · CA$278.47 · 88% fitBuy Cetaphil routine · CA$148.04 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · CA$282.83 · 84% fitBuy Elemis routine · CA$411.49 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Cetaphil vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · CA$240.92 · 85% fitBuy Elemis routine · CA$369.58 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Elemis: which is better?

Cetaphil fits oily skin better with a High level, while Elemis reaches an Average level for oily skin. Both brands achieve a High routine fit for dry skin, sensitive skin, and acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Elemis?

Cetaphil is better for gentle, fragrance-free care on oily skin, while Elemis offers a more luxurious, spa-like experience that is a Superior fit for mature skin. Both brands provide good hydration, but Cetaphil focuses on simple ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide, whereas Elemis features rich plant oils and strong fragrances.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and Elemis have a High routine fit for dry skin. Cetaphil focuses on gentle hydration with ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while Elemis offers luxurious, highly rated moisturizers like the Pro-Collagen Marine Cream.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil offers cleansers that reviewers mostly mention as gentle and non-stripping, and Lovi rates products like the Gentle Skin Cleanser as Superior for dry and dry sensitive skin. Elemis also features options like the Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash with a High fit for mature, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, though reviewers note that Elemis has a higher price point.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Elemis?

Cetaphil is more affordable than Elemis, as high price point is a heavily mentioned drawback for Elemis products while Cetaphil is noted for having a lower price point.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Cetaphil or Elemis?

Cetaphil has more fragrance-free products than Elemis. On this page, 26 out of 27 Cetaphil products list no fragrance compared to only 4 out of 22 Elemis products.

Cetaphil or Elemis for oily skin?

For oily skin, Cetaphil fits better with a High routine fit compared to Elemis, which has an Average fit. Cetaphil features specialized options like Oily Skin Cleanser, which has a High Lovi fit level for oily skin.

Cetaphil or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil and Elemis both offer a wide range of moisturizers, but which one is better depends on your skin type and budget. Cetaphil focuses on gentle, fragrance-free hydration that is well suited for sensitive and oily skin, while Elemis provides luxurious, often-fragranced anti-aging creams that give a radiant glow and fit best for mature and dry skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas Elemis has a high price point.

Cetaphil or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a high routine fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil is better at being gentle on sensitive skin, while Elemis products more frequently feature added fragrance.

Cetaphil or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Cetaphil and Elemis fit acne-prone skin well, with Lovi rating their routine fits as High for both brands.

Cetaphil or Elemis for mature skin?

Both brands fit mature skin well, but Elemis achieves a Superior routine fit compared to Cetaphil which has a High fit level. Elemis features luxury ingredients and reviewers frequently mention smoother skin texture and a radiant glow, while Cetaphil focuses on gentle daily care with ingredients like niacinamide that helps reduce pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Elemis for skin with dark spots?

Both Cetaphil and Elemis achieve a High Lovi fit level for skin with dark spots. Cetaphil features key ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C, which help brighten the complexion and reduce pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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