🇺🇸United States

Neutrogena vs Elemis

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

Neutrogena and Elemis are two distinct skincare lines with contrasting heritages, where the American brand founded in 1930 offers nourishing moisturizers, protective sunscreens, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners containing glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, while the British brand established in 1989 provides curated serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners woven with glycerin and shea butter. The former suits sensitive and acne-prone skin best, featuring standout solutions like the Daily Facial Moisturizer, Sport Face Sunscreen, and Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, whereas the latter serves dry and mature skin best with preparations such as the Pro-Collagen Advanced Eye Treatment, Pro-Collagen Tri-Acid Peel, and Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. Ultimately, both rely on glycerin to increase hydration and restore barrier function, but the first brand uniquely employs hyaluronic acid and dimethicone to lengthen wrinkle reduction and decrease water loss, while the second brand utilizes shea butter to reduce inflammation.

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Neutrogena vs Elemis products

People Say

NeutrogenaElemis
  • Deep Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and Non-Greasy Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Gentle and Sensitive Skin Friendly Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “calms my acne prone skin — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Skin Texture and Anti-Aging Benefits Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “skin feels baby-soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Luxurious Spa-Like Scents and Textures Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Radiant Glow and Soft Skin Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “instantly fresh glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Once I started using Elemis Superfood facial oil... my skin began to glow. — Elemis Superfood Facial Oil”
    • “Face felt baby soft afterwards — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
  • High Price Point and Value Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Strong Fragrance and Scents Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Scent is so off-putting — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Packaging and Design Issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “Eye holes are too small — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”

Neutrogena vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · $557.99 · 88% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · $121.45 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Neutrogena vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Elemis routine · $535.50 · 77% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · $263.48 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Neutrogena vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Elemis routine · $524.50 · 79% fitBuy Neutrogena routine · $243.38 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Neutrogena or Elemis: which is better?

Neutrogena is better for sensitive and oily skin because the products on this page have fragrance-free options and lightweight formulas, whereas Elemis is better for dry, mature, and dry sensitive skin with its nourishing anti-aging routines.

What is the difference between Neutrogena and Elemis?

Neutrogena is an American drugstore brand known for lightweight, fragrance-free products that help sensitive and acne-prone skin, whereas Elemis is a British luxury brand focused on rich textures that help mature and dry skin. Both brands offer high routine fit for most skin types, but Elemis uses fragrance in most of its products.

Neutrogena or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Neutrogena and Elemis are great options for dry skin, as the products on this page for both brands achieve a High routine fit for this skin type. Neutrogena helps deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while Elemis provides nourishing moisturizers that leave skin with a radiant glow.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Neutrogena or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Neutrogena is better for sensitive and acne-prone skin, as the cleansers on this page offer superior Lovi fit levels for those skin types. Elemis provides a more luxurious, spa-like feel, but Neutrogena is often more gentle.

Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Elemis?

Neutrogena is more affordable, whereas Elemis has a high price point among reviewers on the products on this page.

Which brand has more fragrance-free options, Neutrogena or Elemis?

Neutrogena has significantly more fragrance-free options, with 35 out of 39 products on this page listing no fragrance, compared to only 4 out of 22 products for Elemis.

When was Neutrogena founded compared to Elemis?

Neutrogena was founded in 1930, which is earlier than Elemis, founded in 1989.

Neutrogena or Elemis for oily skin?

Elemis is a better fit for oily skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Neutrogena's Average fit. Elemis products on this page help deliver a radiant glow and smoother texture, while helping manage oil balance.

Neutrogena or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Neutrogena and Elemis both offer deeply hydrating moisturizers, but Neutrogena is better for a lightweight and non-greasy feel while Elemis is better for luxurious textures and anti-aging benefits. Neutrogena features high fit levels for dry, combination, and sensitive skin with mostly fragrance-free products, whereas Elemis fits dry and mature skin best with a higher price point and frequent added fragrances.

Neutrogena or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both Neutrogena and Elemis offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Neutrogena is well-suited because the products on this page are mostly fragrance-free.

Neutrogena or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Neutrogena and Elemis have a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, with Neutrogena standing out for being especially gentle and sensitive-skin friendly. The products on this page for Neutrogena also offer a greater number of fragrance-free options to help avoid irritation.

Neutrogena or Elemis for dry sensitive skin?

Elemis is a better fit for dry sensitive skin, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type compared to Neutrogena's Average fit. Elemis also provides targeted formulas featuring hydrating and soothing 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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