CeraVe vs Pixi
CeraVe and Pixi are popular skincare brands offering gentle daily formulas like dependable moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and toners. The American brand, founded in 2005, features hyaluronic acid and glycerin to suit dry and mature skin best, while the British brand, founded in 1999, suits oily and sensitive skin best with balanced care. Both deliver reliable results for a calm, radiant complexion, though they differ in their specific targeted offerings and key ingredients.
CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.
en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com
Pixi is a British skincare brand founded in 1999.
pixibeauty.comtracxn.compitchbook.com
This page compares some of the most popular CeraVe and Pixi products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular CeraVe vs Pixi products
People Say
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”
- “Skin feels incredible, so smooth — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
- “forehead bumps gone — Pixi Glow Tonic”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “Instant surge of hydration — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
- “deeply hydrates and balances — Pixi Antioxidant Tonic”
Gentle for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
- “no redness after washing — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “Gentle enough for regular use — Pixi Retinol Tonic”
Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “smells like fresh roses — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
- “lovely subtle rose scent — Pixi Rose Tonic”
- “Smells fresh — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
- “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
Skin Improvements and Clarity Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Skin is noticeably brighter — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
- “gives a lovely glow — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
- “My skin looked visibly clearer and brighter. — Pixi Vitamin-C Serum”
- “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
Value and Pricing Often MentionedNot noted
- “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “great lip balm — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
- “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
Packaging Issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Spits large droplets — Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist”
- “squirts large droplets — Pixi Glow Mist”
- “dropper leaks product — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
- “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “broke me out — Pixi Glow Tonic”
- “caused cystic acne — Pixi Rose Oil Blend”
- “Caused bad breakouts — Pixi Retinol Tonic”
- “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
Skin Irritation and Burning Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “Massive burning sensation — Pixi Glow Peel Pads”
- “burned my face — Pixi Glow Tonic”
CeraVe vs Pixi routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Milky Mist
Morning
$29.00
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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
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
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Serum or Treatment
Vitamin-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
$48.00
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
-
Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$16.97
-
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
Buy Pixi routine · $178.68 · 94% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · $120.97 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
CeraVe vs Pixi routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Retinol Tonic
Morning · Once a week
$18.19
-
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
Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
$48.00
-
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 Pixi routine · $342.54 · 95% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · $272.57 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
CeraVe vs Pixi routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Retinol Tonic
Morning · Once a week
$18.19
-
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
Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Vitamin-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
$48.00
-
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 Pixi routine · $333.65 · 94% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · $237.98 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
CeraVe or Pixi: which is better?
Both brands offer great options depending on your needs, with CeraVe standing out for sensitive skin and value, while Pixi excels in skin improvements and radiance. For instance, hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration across the products on this page.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
What is the difference between CeraVe and Pixi?
CeraVe and Pixi are both popular skincare brands, but CeraVe focuses on fragrance-free barrier repair with ceramides for dry and sensitive skin, while Pixi offers glowing and brightening treatments like toners with ingredients such as aloe vera. Both brands provide deep hydration, though CeraVe is generally gentler for sensitive skin, while Pixi may offer better skin improvements and clarity for oily and combination skin.
CeraVe or Pixi for dry skin?
Both brands offer an equal routine fit for dry skin, where CeraVe achieves a Superior level and Pixi reaches a Superior level. CeraVe features fragrance-free moisturizers with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help repair the skin barrier. Meanwhile, Pixi products like the Hydrating Milky Mist provide deep hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
CeraVe or Pixi: which moisturizer is better?
CeraVe offers superior healing and texture in its moisturizers, while the products on this page help provide deep hydration and radiance.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Pixi?
CeraVe is more affordable, as value and pricing is an area where CeraVe does better.
Which brand has better fragrance and scent options, CeraVe or Pixi?
Pixi is noted as doing better for fragrance and scent, offering options like the Hydrating Milky Mist and Glow Tonic, whereas every CeraVe product on this page lists no fragrance.
How do CeraVe and Pixi compare for treating skin with dark spots?
For treating skin with dark spots, Pixi has a Superior Lovi fit level for its Retinol Tonic and Glow Peel Pads, whereas CeraVe features products like its Hydrating Toner and Resurfacing Retinol Serum that help address pigmentation with ingredients such as niacinamide. CeraVe offers fragrance-free options across the products on this page, while Pixi provides brightening serums that help enhance radiance.
Which brand is better suited for mature skin, CeraVe or Pixi?
Both brands offer a Superior routine fit for mature skin, with CeraVe providing fragrance-free options and Pixi focusing on radiance and glow. Retinol, which is found in both brands, helps stimulate collagen and improve naturally aged skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
CeraVe or Pixi for oily skin?
Pixi is a better fit for oily skin, earning a Superior routine fit compared to CeraVe's High fit on the products on this page. Pixi offers lightweight, popular toners that help with radiance and glow, though some users note sticky residue.
CeraVe or Pixi for sensitive skin?
CeraVe is better for sensitive skin because review themes show it does better for being gentle on sensitive skin, and every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. For sensitive skin, the products on this page have a Lovi fit level of High.
CeraVe or Pixi for acne-prone skin?
Both brands offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. CeraVe features products on this page that help soothe breakouts without fragrance, while Pixi provides brightening options that may improve skin clarity.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
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
A Rose Extract Protects the Skin against Stress Mediators: A Potential Role of Olfactory Receptors
Design and in vivo evaluation of emulgel formulations including green tea extract and rose oil
Topical Almond Oil for Prevention of Pressure Injuries: A Single-Blinded Comparison Study
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Clinical study of a spray containing birch juice for repairing sensitive skin
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
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

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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