🇩🇪Germany

CeraVe vs Neutrogena

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

CeraVe and Neutrogena are two American skincare brands offering thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and more. While CeraVe is universally loved for formulas with hyaluronic acid and glycerin that suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, Neutrogena is widely loved for products relying on glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone that suit dry skin and mature skin best. Both brands differ in their standout solutions and specific ingredients, as the former features options like the Foaming Facial Cleanser and Skin Renewing Night Cream, whereas the latter offers products such as the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser and Sport Face Sunscreen.

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

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

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

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

Popular CeraVe vs Neutrogena products

People Say

CeraVeNeutrogena
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “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”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formulation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “clean but not dry — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Fragrance-free options Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Perfect for sensitive eyes, no stinging — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
  • Skin texture improvement Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Value for money and affordability Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The dropper is not efficient. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Hate dipping fingers into a jar — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Find it unsanitary — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
  • Unpleasant or slimy textures Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “formula is too runny — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scents or fragrances Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which is better?

CeraVe does better for gentle formulations and value for money, while both brands offer equal deep hydration and lightweight textures. Reviewers note that CeraVe is superior for skin texture improvement.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Neutrogena?

CeraVe and Neutrogena both offer high routine fit across all main skin types, but CeraVe scores an average fit level for dry sensitive skin while Neutrogena is average, and CeraVe does better for gentle formulation, skin texture improvement, and value for money based on the products on this page.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena have an equal High routine fit level for dry skin. CeraVe features ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help alleviate dryness, while Neutrogena utilizes hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to support skin moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe does better for gentle and non-stripping formulations among the products on this page. Reviewers note that CeraVe cleansers are gentle, non-stripping, and effective for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Neutrogena?

CeraVe is more affordable, as value for money and affordability is an area where CeraVe does better than Neutrogena on the products on this page.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which brand has better fragrance-free options?

Both brands offer similar fragrance-free options because every CeraVe product on this page lists no fragrance and 35 of the 39 Neutrogena products do as well.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which brand has fewer packaging and design issues?

CeraVe has fewer packaging and design issues, as packaging and design problems are sometimes noted for Neutrogena while CeraVe does not have this disadvantage in its review themes.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena are a High fit for oily skin, offering effective options like cleansers and lightweight moisturizers. Reviewers note that CeraVe does better for gentle and non-stripping formulations, while both brands tie for lightweight textures and deep hydration.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers that help deliver deep hydration and a lightweight, non-greasy feel. Reviewers note that CeraVe does better for value and gentle formulation, while Neutrogena often brings strong anti-aging and fast-absorbing options.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. CeraVe achieves a High fit level for dry sensitive skin, whereas Neutrogena has an Average fit level for dry sensitive skin.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which sunscreen is better?

Both brands offer sunscreens on this page that achieve High or Superior Lovi fit levels across multiple skin types. CeraVe features fragrance-free sunscreens with a High to Superior fit for dry, sensitive, and mature skin, while Neutrogena offers highly rated options like Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen and Sport Face Sunscreen with a Superior fit for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer an equal routine fit level of High for acne-prone skin. CeraVe achieves better performance in gentle and non-stripping formulation as well as skin texture improvement.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for dry sensitive skin?

CeraVe fits dry sensitive skin better, as Lovi rates its routine as High compared to Neutrogena at Average. CeraVe offers multiple fragrance-free products on this page with ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that may help alleviate skin sensitivity.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play