CeraVe vs Galderma
CeraVe and Galderma are skincare brands offering targeted solutions for diverse complexions. The American brand provides dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, protective sunscreens, and daily formulas enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which suit mature skin and dry skin best. Meanwhile, the Swiss brand features specialized serums that fit oily skin and acne-prone skin best. These two options differ primarily in their core ingredient profiles and ideal skin types, as both deliver proven results through distinct formulations.
CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.
en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular CeraVe and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular CeraVe vs Galderma products
People Say
Oil control and acne clearance Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
Fragrance-free and gentle Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
- “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
Fading marks and improving texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
- “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
- “scars are fading — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “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”
Deep hydration Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “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”
Value and affordability Often MentionedNot noted
- “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
Dryness and peeling Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “Not moisturizing enough for winter — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
- “Not enough for winter dryness — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
- “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Burning, stinging, and skin irritation Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “Face feels like it's on fire — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Breakouts, purging, and acne Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “caused horrible breakouts — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Bleaching fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
Packaging and design issues Often MentionedNot noted
- “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
CeraVe vs Galderma routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$16.97
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Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning
$10.87
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Moisturizer
Skin Renewing Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.44
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
$20.15
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
Evening · Once a week
$11.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
$23.86
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
-
Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy CeraVe routine · $120.97 · 90% fit
Buy Galderma routine · $153.64 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
CeraVe vs Galderma routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
$10.87
-
Moisturizer
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$13.62
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
$20.15
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
Evening · Once a week
$11.68
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
$23.86
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy Galderma routine · $326.92 · 96% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · $272.57 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
CeraVe vs Galderma routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
$10.87
-
Moisturizer
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$16.97
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
$20.15
-
Pre-Cleanser
Makeup Removing Cleanser Balm
Evening · Once a week
$11.68
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
$16.44
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
Buy Galderma routine · $318.51 · 94% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · $237.98 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
CeraVe or Galderma: which is better?
CeraVe is better for fragrance-free hydration and gentle care, while Galderma excels at oil control and acne clearance.
What is the difference between CeraVe and Galderma?
CeraVe is best for fragrance-free and gentle care, deep hydration, and lightweight textures, whereas Galderma excels at oil control and acne clearance. The products on this page for both brands contain no fragrance.
CeraVe or Galderma for dry skin?
CeraVe and Galderma provide an equal level of routine fit for dry skin, with Lovi rating both as Superior. Reviewers note that CeraVe offers deep hydration and fragrance-free moisturizers, whereas Galderma is more commonly associated with severe dryness and peeling.
Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Galderma?
CeraVe is more affordable than Galderma, as reviewers note CeraVe for value and affordability among the products on this page.
CeraVe or Galderma for oil control and acne clearance?
Galderma does better for oil control and acne clearance, offering acne-clearing serums that fit oily and acne-prone skin at a Superior level.
Which brand performs better for fragrance-free and gentle skincare, CeraVe or Galderma?
CeraVe performs better for fragrance-free and gentle skincare because the products on this page are rated higher for being gentle and fragrance-free, whereas Galderma reviewers frequently note severe dryness and irritation.
CeraVe or Galderma for oily skin?
Galderma is the better choice for oily skin, offering Superior routine fit compared to CeraVe's High fit on this page.
CeraVe or Galderma for sensitive skin?
Both CeraVe and Galderma fit sensitive skin with a High Lovi level. Every product on the pages of both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
CeraVe or Galderma for acne-prone skin?
Both brands fit acne-prone skin, with Galderma reaching a Superior Lovi fit level and CeraVe achieving High. Galderma excels with effective acne-clearing serums, whereas CeraVe offers gentle, non-stripping cleansers.
CeraVe or Galderma for mature skin?
CeraVe fits mature skin better with a Superior routine level compared to Galderma's High level. CeraVe offers multiple well-reviewed moisturizers and treatments that help support aging skin.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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