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CeraVe vs Principia

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

CeraVe and Principia are skincare brands known for delivering thoughtful formulas and proven results. The American brand offers dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, protective sunscreens, and other daily formulas enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while the latter is widely loved for its thoughtful cleansers and precise formulas. CeraVe suits mature skin and dry skin best, whereas Principia suits balanced to oily skin best. They differ primarily in their core ingredient profiles and ideal skin types, with the former featuring hyaluronic acid and glycerin to support barrier health and the latter helping maintain a healthy, balanced complexion through options like the Gel de Limpeza GL-01.

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

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

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

Popular CeraVe vs Principia products

CeraVe vs Principia cleansers

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Principia: which is better?

CeraVe offers a much wider range of products on this page than Principia, with many options achieving Superior or High Lovi fit levels for mature, dry, and acne-prone skin. The products on this page are all fragrance-free and feature key ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between CeraVe and Principia?

CeraVe offers a broad range of fragrance-free cleansers, moisturizers, and treatments that fit mature, dry, and acne-prone skin well, whereas Principia features only a single cleanser on this page. Reviewers report that CeraVe helps provide deep hydration with lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers.

CeraVe or Principia: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe provides a much wider selection of cleansers on this page with high Lovi fit levels for various skin concerns, while Principia only features one cleanser, Gel de Limpeza GL-01, which has lower fit ratings. Reviewers often mention that CeraVe cleansers are gentle, non-stripping, and effective for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Principia?

This page does not provide pricing or affordability information for either CeraVe or Principia.

Which causes fewer breakouts, CeraVe or Principia?

CeraVe has products on this page that are rated Superior for acne-prone skin, such as the PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion and Acne Control Gel, whereas Principia has only a single cleanser listed which has a Low fit level for acne-prone skin.

When was CeraVe founded compared to Principia?

CeraVe was founded in 2005, whereas Principia was founded in 2020.

Which company owns CeraVe and which owns Principia?

CeraVe is owned by L'Oréal, while Principia is owned by Viziera Participações Ltda.

Do products from both CeraVe and Principia contain fragrance?

Every product on this page from both CeraVe and Principia lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

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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