🇺🇸United States

CeraVe vs Simple

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

CeraVe and Simple are accessible skincare brands offering dependable daily formulas designed to support barrier health and hydration. The American brand is known for moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, and protective sunscreens enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, making its formulations suit mature skin and dry skin best. Conversely, the British brand is chosen for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners enriched with niacinamide and glycerin, which suit acne-prone skin and oily skin best. While both brands utilize glycerin to improve skin hydration and restore barrier function, they differ in their primary ingredients and target skin types.

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

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

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular CeraVe vs Simple products

People Say

CeraVeSimple
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • 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”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Value and Affordability Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Makeup Removal Difficulties Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · $120.97 · 90% fitBuy Simple routine · $128.28 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $272.57 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $237.98 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Simple: which is better?

CeraVe has a superior routine fit for mature and dry skin, whereas Simple is more value-friendly and offers equal routine fit for other skin types. CeraVe features a broader range of key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help restore skin, while Simple focuses on gentle niacinamide and glycerin formulations.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

What is the difference between CeraVe and Simple?

CeraVe fits mature and dry skin at a Superior level, whereas Simple reaches a High level for those skin types, and the products on this page for CeraVe include key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid while Simple relies on niacinamide and glycerin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple for oily skin?

CeraVe and Simple both offer a High fit for oily skin. The products on this page help provide gentle and effective cleansing.

CeraVe or Simple: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers on this page, as its formulas are frequently noted by reviewers for being gentle and non-stripping while effectively targeting acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than CeraVe, as value and affordability is a review theme where Simple does better. The products on this page for Simple also provide lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

Between CeraVe and Simple, which brand is better suited for mature skin?

CeraVe is better suited for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Simple's High fit.

How do CeraVe and Simple compare in terms of texture and absorption?

CeraVe does better than Simple in terms of texture and absorption. Reviewers mostly mention that CeraVe offers superior healing and texture in its moisturizers.

Which skincare brand offers better options for removing heavy makeup?

Simple offers better options for removing heavy makeup. Reviewers often note that CeraVe struggles with heavy makeup, whereas Simple features effective and hydrating daily makeup removers.

CeraVe or Simple for sensitive skin?

CeraVe has a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, while Simple also has a High Lovi fit level, making them equal for this skin type. Both brands offer products on this page that list no fragrance in their ingredients.

CeraVe or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers better moisturizers than Simple, as CeraVe is rated Superior for dry and mature skin while Simple is rated High, and reviewers note that CeraVe provides superior healing and texture in its moisturizers. Both brands feature fragrance-free, lightweight formulas, and ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid help restore the skin barrier and provide deep hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. The products on this page for both brands contain no fragrance.

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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