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CeraVe vs Clinique

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

CeraVe and Clinique are American skincare brands offering expertly formulated moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and more. The former suits mature skin and oily acne-prone skin best with nourishing hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while the latter suits dry sensitive skin and oily skin best by thoughtfully incorporating those same key ingredients alongside invigorating caffeine. Ultimately, both brands differ through their specific formulations, origins in 2005 versus 1968, and parent companies L'Oréal and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

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

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

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 CeraVe and Clinique products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs Clinique products

People Say

CeraVeClinique
  • 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”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
  • 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 my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Skin Texture and Clarity Improvements Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
  • Makeup Removal and Application Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Value and Pricing Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “lasts forever — Clinique all about clean”
  • Breakouts and Acne Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Price and Cost Complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Packaging Complaints Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Unhygienic tub — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “prefer a pump dispenser — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better?

CeraVe offers better value and deeper hydration across the products on this page, while Clinique excels at makeup removal and application. For routine fit, CeraVe achieves a High rating across all listed skin types, whereas Clinique ranges from Average to High depending on the skin type.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clinique?

CeraVe and Clinique both offer fragrance-free formulas, but CeraVe provides better hydration and value, while Clinique stands out for makeup removal. Lovi finds that CeraVe has a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clinique's fit is Average.

CeraVe or Clinique for dry skin?

CeraVe is a better choice for dry skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High compared to Clinique's Average. CeraVe offers superior deep hydration and ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that may help alleviate dryness and improve skin barrier function.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe provides a better range of cleansers, as the products on this page achieve superior or high Lovi fit levels across most skin types, whereas Clinique cleansers tend to have average or lower fits. CeraVe cleansers are especially noted for being gentle and effective for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clinique?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clinique, as the products on this page offer better value and pricing. Reviewers often note high price points for Clinique while CeraVe is generally considered a budget-friendly option.

Which brand has better makeup removal products, CeraVe or Clinique?

Clinique does better than CeraVe for makeup removal and application among the products on this page.

CeraVe or Clinique for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique are good options for oily skin, as Lovi rates their routines as High for this skin type. The products on this page help provide oil control and lightweight moisture without heavy greasiness.

CeraVe or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe generally provides better hydration and value for its moisturizers, while Clinique offers lighter options that some reviewers find faster-absorbing. The products on this page help deliver deep moisture with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Lovi rates CeraVe high and Clinique average for dry skin routines.

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

CeraVe or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique are good options for sensitive skin, as the products on this page for both brands list no fragrance and feature gentle formulations. CeraVe achieves a High fit level for sensitive skin overall, while Clinique also matches that High level.

CeraVe or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to an Average fit for Clinique on the products on this page. CeraVe offers multiple cleansers and treatments tailored for acne-prone skin.

CeraVe or Clinique for mature skin?

CeraVe has a High routine fit for mature skin, whereas Clinique is rated Average. Reviewers note that the products on this page for CeraVe offer better value and pricing.

CeraVe or Clinique for skin with dark spots?

CeraVe offers better results for skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a High fit level compared to an Average level for Clinique.

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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