🇺🇸United States

Cetaphil vs Clinique

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

Cetaphil and Clinique are two American skincare brands offering thoughtful ranges of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and more, formulated with nourishing ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine. The former suits combination and acne-prone skin best, while the latter suits dry sensitive and oily skin best. Ultimately, both brands differ through their key compositions and targeted solutions, with the former providing hydration, barrier restoration, and reduced hyperpigmentation, and the latter delivering extended wrinkle reduction and UV protection.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Cetaphil vs Clinique products

People Say

CetaphilClinique
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Works well under makeup Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Layers really well under makeup — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
  • Smoother skin and texture improvement Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Skin looks smoother and even-toned — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Gentle exfoliation Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “You will see the dirt with one wipe — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • Lack of lather or unusual texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “feels a bit sticky — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Miss the bubbles, feels like washing with lotion. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scent or chemical smell Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for dry skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · $134.48 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · $370.23 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for oily skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · $331.64 · 85% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for combination skin

Buy Cetaphil routine · $285.23 · 89% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Clinique: which is better?

Cetaphil is better for gentleness on sensitive skin and hydration, while Clinique is better for texture improvement and working well under makeup. For dry skin, the products on this page have a High routine fit for Cetaphil and an Average fit for Clinique.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Clinique?

Cetaphil is generally better for hydration and gentleness on sensitive skin, whereas Clinique tends to be preferred for smoothing skin texture and working well under makeup. Lovi rates Cetaphil as having a High routine fit for dry skin, compared to an Average fit for Clinique.

Cetaphil or Clinique for dry skin?

Cetaphil is better for dry skin because Lovi rates its routine as High while Clinique's routine is Average.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil offers superior gentle cleansers that help soothe sensitive skin, whereas Clinique cleansers may cause issues for certain skin types on the products on this page. Lovi fit levels for Cetaphil cleansers are High to Superior for sensitive and acne-prone skin, while some Clinique cleansers drop to Low or Warning fit levels.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Clinique?

Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas Clinique is often noted for a high price point among the products on this page.

Between Cetaphil and Clinique, which brand has better options for mature skin?

Both Cetaphil and Clinique are a High fit for mature skin. Cetaphil also offers better pricing, while Clinique works well under makeup.

How do Cetaphil and Clinique compare regarding fragrance in their products?

Cetaphil lists no fragrance in nearly all the products on this page, except for its Oily Skin Cleanser, whereas every Clinique product on this page lists no fragrance.

Which brand performs better for skin with dark spots according to the routine fit levels?

Cetaphil performs better for skin with dark spots, with a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

Cetaphil or Clinique for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and Clinique are well-suited for oily skin, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type. Cetaphil focuses on gentle, non-stripping oil control, while Clinique offers lightweight, fast-absorbing moisturizers and oil-controlling formulas.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil is better for dry skin, as its routine fit level on this page is High while Clinique is Average. The products on this page help provide hydration and moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Cetaphil is better for sensitive skin because it is rated High, whereas Clinique is rated High on some products and Low on others. Additionally, Cetaphil is specifically noted for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer products on this page that are a High fit for acne-prone skin, though Cetaphil's overall routine fit is also High. The products on this page help provide gentle cleansing and targeted care without heavy oils.

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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