🇩🇪Germany

CeraVe vs Simple

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

CeraVe and Simple are beloved drugstore brands offering gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and targeted treatments for various skin types. The American brand features ceramide-rich moisturizers and cleansers with hyaluronic acid and glycerin that suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the British brand provides soothing toners, makeup removers, and cleansers incorporating niacinamide and glycerin that suit oily skin and acne-prone skin best. While both brands champion barrier repair and hydration, they differ in their heritage, specific formulations, and ideal skin matches.

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

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

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular CeraVe vs Simple products

People Say

CeraVeSimple
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • 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”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Value and Affordability Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Makeup Removal Difficulties Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Simple: which is better?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer products on this page that provide equal routine fit levels across all skin types. CeraVe tends to do better for texture and absorption, while Simple excels in value and affordability.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Simple?

CeraVe and Simple both offer fragrance-free products, but they differ in their formulations and focus areas. CeraVe includes key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help repair the skin barrier and support deep hydration. Simple offers value-friendly options with ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to help gently soothe and hydrate the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Simple for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer a High Lovi routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page for both brands contain no fragrance.

CeraVe or Simple: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe provides a wide selection of cleansers on this page with high Lovi fit levels for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, while Simple offers fewer cleanser options that typically reach an average fit.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than CeraVe as value and affordability is an area where Simple does better. The products on this page for both brands feature fragrance-free formulas.

Between CeraVe and Simple, which brand is better for texture and absorption?

CeraVe does better than Simple for texture and absorption across the products on this page.

Which brand performs better for makeup removal, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple performs better for makeup removal on this page, as its makeup removers are noted by reviewers as gentle and effective daily options. CeraVe has a review theme mentioning difficulties with makeup removal.

Which brand has fewer packaging issues, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple has fewer packaging issues than CeraVe on the products on this page.

CeraVe or Simple for oily skin?

CeraVe and Simple both offer a High routine fit for oily skin, making them equally suitable options. The products on this page for CeraVe are frequently noted for effective cleansers for acne and oil, while Simple is known for value-friendly moisturizers.

CeraVe or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe features superior healing and texture in moisturizers compared to Simple, and its products on this page are rated as having High to Superior fit for dry skin.

CeraVe or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer a High Lovi routine fit for sensitive skin, and every product on the page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

CeraVe or Simple for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin with a High routine level, while Simple also fits acne-prone skin with a High routine level. Reviewers report that CeraVe helps provide effective cleansers for acne and oil.

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