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CeraVe vs Clarins

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

CeraVe and Clarins are two distinct skincare lines known for supporting various complexions through thoughtful ingredient choices. The American drugstore brand offers dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, and protective sunscreens enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which suit mature and dry skin best while addressing acne and dark spots. Meanwhile, the French luxury house provides luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners featuring nourishing shea and hydrating squalane tailored for sensitive and dry sensitive skin. Ultimately, the two differ in their cultural origins, founding eras, and signature formulations, giving shoppers a choice between accessible barrier support and botanical indulgence.

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

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

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Clarins products

People Say

CeraVeClarins
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Deep 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 skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Improves skin texture, barrier, and acne Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “healed cracked hands — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
  • Luxurious skincare and glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “insane how cooling it is — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “jar is tiny — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “dispenses too much — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts, irritation, or burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · $120.97 · 90% fitBuy Clarins routine · $250.04 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · $272.57 · 83% fitBuy Clarins routine · $434.07 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · $237.98 · 86% fitBuy Clarins routine · $413.07 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clarins: which is better?

CeraVe is generally better for lightweight, fragrance-free hydration and targeted results on dry and mature skin, whereas Clarins focuses on luxurious textures and glow-boosting formulations. CeraVe achieves a superior routine fit for dry and mature skin compared to Clarins, while both brands offer a high fit for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clarins?

CeraVe offers fragrance-free, budget-friendly products with a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas Clarins provides luxurious, scented formulas with a High fit for dry skin. CeraVe relies on ceramides to help repair the skin barrier, while Clarins uses plant-based ingredients for a glow-boosting effect.

CeraVe or Clarins for dry skin?

CeraVe has a Superior fit for dry skin, whereas Clarins has a High fit on the products on this page. CeraVe offers deep hydration and fragrance-free moisturizers that help repair the skin barrier.

CeraVe or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe is better for cleansers because the products on this page are fragrance-free and offer superior fit levels across multiple skin types, whereas Clarins cleansers often contain fragrance. Reviewers note that CeraVe provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers that are particularly effective for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clarins?

CeraVe is more affordable, whereas Clarins is noted for having a high price point. The products on this page for CeraVe focus on budget-friendly, everyday skincare.

Do CeraVe products contain fragrance?

CeraVe products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients. Reviewers note that CeraVe is better for fragrance-free and gentle formulations compared to Clarins.

CeraVe or Clarins for oily skin?

CeraVe fits oily skin better than Clarins, achieving a High routine fit level compared to Clarins at Average. CeraVe offers effective cleansers and lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that help manage oil.

CeraVe or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior moisturizers for dry and mature skin on the products on this page, while Clarins provides luxurious formulas that may appeal to users seeking radiance and glow. Lovi rates CeraVe's routine fit as Superior for dry and mature skin, compared to Clarins' High fit for those skin types.

CeraVe or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both brands are a good choice for sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels of High for both CeraVe and Clarins. Reviewers note that CeraVe is known for its fragrance-free and gentle formulation, whereas Clarins is often associated with a strong fragrance.

CeraVe or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer a High fit for acne-prone skin. CeraVe features fragrance-free options and is noted for effective cleansers for acne and oil, while Clarins provides luxurious textures and glowing serums.

CeraVe or Clarins for mature skin?

CeraVe achieves a Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas Clarins reaches a High level. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like ceramides and retinol that help support aging skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

CeraVe or Clarins for skin with dark spots?

Both brands offer products with a High fit level for skin with dark spots. CeraVe features key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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