🇺🇸United States

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 offering daily formulas like reliable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and targeted serums enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The brand founded in 2005 suits mature and dry skin best through formulations that support moisture retention and barrier health, while the 1968 counterpart suits dry sensitive and oily skin best with comforting, balancing ingredients. Both utilize hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction duration and glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function. Ultimately, they differ through distinct additional ingredients and specialized options tailored to unique skin concerns.

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 · $120.97 · 90% fitBuy Clinique routine · $370.23 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · $272.57 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · $237.98 · 86% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better?

CeraVe generally provides better hydration and value among the products on this page, while Clinique is often noted for makeup removal. Lovi gives CeraVe a Superior routine fit for dry and mature skin, compared to Clinique's Average and High fits.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clinique?

CeraVe offers superior routine fit for dry and mature skin on the products on this page, while Clinique stands out for makeup removal. CeraVe tends to score better for hydration and pricing, whereas Clinique is often noted for higher price points.

CeraVe or Clinique for dry skin?

CeraVe is better for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to an Average fit for Clinique. The products on this page for CeraVe help provide deep hydration and barrier repair lipids.

CeraVe or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers superior options for cleansing, featuring products like the Foaming Facial Cleanser and Hydrating Cleanser that provide gentle, non-stripping care. On this page, Lovi rates CeraVe cleansers with higher fit levels for acne-prone and oily skin types compared to Clinique's all about clean.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clinique?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clinique, as the products on this page show better value and pricing. Clinique frequently receives complaints about its high price point.

Which brand performs better for hydration and moisture according to reviewers?

According to reviewers, CeraVe performs better than Clinique for hydration and moisture.

CeraVe or Clinique for oily skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for oily skin. The products on this page for both CeraVe and Clinique provide oil-controlling and lightweight moisturizers.

CeraVe or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe outperforms Clinique for moisturizers on this page, offering superior hydration and texture alongside a better price point. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique have products that fit sensitive skin well. Lovi rates the routine fit for sensitive skin as High for CeraVe and High for Clinique.

CeraVe or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer products on this page that fit acne-prone skin at a high level.

CeraVe or Clinique for mature skin?

CeraVe is better for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's High fit on the products on this page. CeraVe also provides key ingredients like retinol, which helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

CeraVe or Clinique for skin with dark spots?

CeraVe offers a higher Lovi fit than Clinique for skin with dark spots. The products on this page help improve skin clarity with key ingredients such as niacinamide, which may 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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