🇺🇸United States

CeraVe vs SK-II

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

CeraVe and SK-II are beloved skincare lines, with the former recognized for dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, protective sunscreens, and other daily formulas enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while the latter is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the American line also favors mature skin through barrier-supporting formulations, and the Japanese line additionally accommodates acne-prone skin with imbalance-correcting solutions. They differ fundamentally in their heritage and core ingredients, as well as their specific product offerings, such as the former's Foaming Facial Cleanser and the latter's Facial Treatment Essence.

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

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

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular CeraVe vs SK-II products

People Say

CeraVeSK-II
  • 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Fragrance and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Brightening, Radiance, and Glow Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin is literally glowing — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
  • Acne and Oil Control Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Value and Pricing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Price Point Complaints Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or Underwhelming Results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “takes a few months — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “meh — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Texture and Application Issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · $591.97 · 91% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $120.97 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · $713.54 · 89% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $272.57 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · $714.65 · 89% fitBuy CeraVe routine · $237.98 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or SK-II: which is better?

Both CeraVe and SK-II are great choices, with CeraVe offering fragrance-free formulas that do better for acne and oil control, while SK-II focuses on brightening and radiance. Lovi rates CeraVe's routine fit for mature skin as Superior and SK-II's routine fit for acne-prone skin as Superior.

What is the difference between CeraVe and SK-II?

CeraVe and SK-II are both well-suited for various skin types, but CeraVe offers better routine fit levels for mature skin while SK-II excels for acne-prone skin. Additionally, the products on this page for both brands are fragrance-free, and CeraVe features key ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide while SK-II centers its formulas around Pitera.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or SK-II for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a Superior routine fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. CeraVe features ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help alleviate skin conditions and provide deep hydration, while SK-II includes hydrating ingredients like Pitera.

CeraVe or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both CeraVe and SK-II offer moisturizers with a Superior routine fit for dry skin. CeraVe features lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers with fragrance-free formulas, while SK-II uses its signature Pitera ingredient.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or SK-II?

CeraVe is more affordable, as value and pricing are noted as an advantage for the brand over SK-II.

CeraVe or SK-II for acne and oil control?

CeraVe does better for acne and oil control, supported by reviewer feedback on this page. Lovi rates the products on this page as having a High fit for acne-prone skin.

CeraVe or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, CeraVe and SK-II offer equal routine fit at a High level. CeraVe features key ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, while SK-II relies on Pitera across the products on this page.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin, but CeraVe does better for fragrance and gentle formula. The products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

CeraVe or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe and SK-II both have a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, with SK-II reaching a Superior routine fit level. CeraVe helps control oil and blemishes with products like the Blemish Control Cleanser, while SK-II features key ingredients like Pitera across the products on this page.

CeraVe or SK-II for mature skin?

CeraVe has a Superior routine fit for mature skin, whereas SK-II has a High fit level.

CeraVe or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for skin with dark spots. The products on this page list no fragrance in their 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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