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CeraVe vs Clarins

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

CeraVe and Clarins are two renowned skincare brands, with the former known for its accessible moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens, and the latter celebrated for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners. While CeraVe suits dry and acne-prone skin best through ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, Clarins caters ideally to sensitive and dry sensitive skin using nourishing shea and hydrating squalane. Ultimately, these lines differ in their heritage and targeted approaches, as the American brand focuses on fundamental barrier restoration and hydration, whereas the French brand emphasizes botanical luxury and soothing restoration.

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

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

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Clarins products

People Say

CeraVeClarins
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Improves skin texture, barrier, and acne Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “healed cracked hands — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
  • Luxurious skincare and glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “insane how cooling it is — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “jar is tiny — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “dispenses too much — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts, irritation, or burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clarins: which is better?

CeraVe is better for a lightweight and fragrance-free formulation, while Clarins is known for its luxurious textures. Reviewers note that CeraVe helps with deep hydration and improving skin texture, whereas Clarins offers glow-boosting moisturizers.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clarins?

CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free formulations and lightweight, non-greasy texture, whereas Clarins is known for its luxurious textures and glow-boosting products. CeraVe relies on key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to deliver deep hydration and improve the skin barrier, while Clarins features botanical extracts and luxurious ingredients that help provide a radiant finish. Lovi rates both brands with high routines for dry, sensitive, mature, and acne-prone skin, though CeraVe also achieves high ratings for oily and oily acne-prone skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Clarins for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins are a High fit for dry skin on this page. CeraVe features fragrance-free, ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help alleviate dry skin conditions, whereas Clarins offers luxurious hydrating and smoothing moisturizers.

CeraVe or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers on this page, as reviewers note they are gentle, non-stripping, and effective for acne and oil. Clarins cleansers have mixed or lower fit levels, such as the Gentle Foaming Cleanser showing a Low fit for dry sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clarins?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clarins, as Clarins has a high price point across its products.

CeraVe or Clarins: which brand offers fragrance-free products?

Every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas only one product on the Clarins page is fragrance-free.

CeraVe or Clarins for oily skin?

CeraVe is a better choice for oily skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Clarins which has an Average fit. CeraVe features lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and effective cleansers for oil control.

CeraVe or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers better moisturizers because they provide lightweight, fragrance-free hydration with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help repair the skin barrier. Reviewers frequently praise CeraVe for its superior healing textures and non-greasy feel compared to Clarins.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. CeraVe formulas are completely fragrance-free and often noted for gentle formulations, whereas Clarins incorporates fragrance in almost all of the products on this page.

CeraVe or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer an equal level of routine fit for acne-prone skin, with Lovi rating both as High. However, CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas and effective cleansers for acne and oil, whereas Clarins has more complaints about causing breakouts, irritation, or burning.

CeraVe or Clarins for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins have a High routine fit for mature skin. CeraVe offers fragrance-free moisturizers, while Clarins provides luxurious textures and glow-boosting formulas.

CeraVe or Clarins for skin with dark spots?

Both CeraVe and Clarins offer a High routine fit for skin with dark spots, but CeraVe stands out on this page for its fragrance-free formulations and key ingredients like niacinamide that help reduce pigmentation. Clarins features luxurious textures, though the products on this page often include added fragrance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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