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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

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Clinique: which is better?

Cetaphil is better for combination, acne-prone, and dry skin types on this page, offering superior routine fits where Clinique scores average. Cetaphil also tends to be gentler on sensitive skin and provides better hydration, while Clinique is noted for a higher price point.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Clinique?

Cetaphil is better for sensitive skin and hydration, while Clinique excels at smoothing texture and working well under makeup. Lovi shows that Cetaphil achieves a Superior routine fit for combination and acne-prone skin, whereas Clinique has a High routine fit for oily and sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or Clinique for dry skin?

Cetaphil is a better fit for dry skin, where the routine fit is High compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil is better for gentle, non-stripping cleansing, as the products on this page are rated as having superior or high fit levels for cleansers like the Gentle Skin Cleanser and Daily Facial Cleanser. Reviewers frequently note that Cetaphil provides gentle and non-stripping cleansers, whereas Clinique's cleansers can sometimes lead to issues like lack of lather.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Clinique?

Cetaphil is more affordable than Clinique, as high price points are noted as a drawback for Clinique products on this page while Cetaphil is recognized for its lower price point.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which brand has better anti-aging or wrinkle correcting serums and creams?

Cetaphil has a High routine fit for mature skin, whereas Clinique's fit varies with an Average overall level, though Clinique features targeted treatments like Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream that reaches a Superior fit. Reviewers note that Cetaphil offers better hydration and moisture, while Clinique excels at smoother skin and texture improvement.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which is better for treating skin with dark spots?

Cetaphil is better for treating skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppresses melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Between Cetaphil and Clinique, which brand offers a better selection of sunscreens?

Cetaphil offers a selection of sunscreens on this page, including Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 which has a Superior fit for sensitive skin, while Clinique does not list sunscreens on this page.

Cetaphil or Clinique for oily skin?

Both brands offer a high Lovi fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers, while Clinique features oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil is better for dry skin and hydration among the moisturizers on this page, offering a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit. The products on this page help provide gentle and effective moisture with key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a high Lovi fit for sensitive skin, but Cetaphil is noted for being particularly gentle and providing better overall hydration and moisture. Niacinamide helps reduce skin irritation and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

Cetaphil achieves a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Clinique achieves an Average fit. The products on this page from Cetaphil feature key ingredients like niacinamide, which may help control skin aging and pigmentation.

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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