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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 accessible skincare brands that offer gentle daily care through expertly formulated cleansers, moisturizers, and more. CeraVe harnesses nourishing hyaluronic acid and glycerin to suit mature skin and oily acne-prone skin best, while Simple incorporates niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily skin and acne-prone skin best. Both brands differ in their specific targeted solutions, such as the American brand providing the Skin Renewing Night Cream for mature skin and the British brand offering the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner for acne-prone skin. Ultimately, each brand utilizes reliable key ingredients to improve skin hydration and barrier function with regular application.

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 · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% 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 equal routine fit levels across all skin types on this page, but CeraVe scores better for texture and absorption while Simple is better for value and affordability. Products on this page from both brands are fragrance-free and gentle.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Simple?

CeraVe offers superior texture and absorption alongside key barrier-repair ingredients like ceramides, whereas Simple provides more value-friendly and lightweight daily options. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulations and maintain equal routine fit levels across all skin types.

CeraVe or Simple for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer products on this page that provide a High routine fit level for dry skin. CeraVe features a ceramide-dominant barrier repair approach that helps retain deep hydration.

CeraVe or Simple: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers superior options for cleansers on this page, particularly for oily and acne-prone skin types. Its cleansers feature key barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, which help support skin health.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than CeraVe, as value and affordability are areas where Simple does better among the products on this page.

Which brand has better texture and absorption, CeraVe or Simple?

CeraVe has better texture and absorption compared to Simple.

Which brand has fewer makeup removal difficulties, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple has fewer makeup removal difficulties than CeraVe, as reviewers note it offers gentle and effective daily makeup removers. Meanwhile, CeraVe is specifically noted for having makeup removal difficulties.

Which brand has fewer packaging issues, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple has more packaging issues than CeraVe, as packaging issues are sometimes noted for Simple while they are mentioned as a negative for CeraVe.

CeraVe or Simple for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple achieve a High routine fit for oily skin on the products on this page, offering gentle, fragrance-free formulations.

CeraVe or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior texture and absorption for its moisturizers, whereas Simple is noted for providing lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers. Lovi gives both brands a High fit level for dry skin routines.

CeraVe or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. CeraVe features a fragrance-free formula that helps gently cleanse and moisturize, while Simple provides gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly options.

CeraVe or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer products that provide a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin. The products on this page for both brands feature fragrance-free formulas, while CeraVe additionally incorporates ingredients like ceramides and salicylic acid to help address 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?

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