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Cetaphil vs Elemis

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

Cetaphil and Elemis are two distinct skincare lines established to support diverse dermatological needs. Cetaphil features nourishing cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol that suit combination and oily acne-prone skin best. Conversely, Elemis offers nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners anchored by glycerin and shea that suit mature and dry skin best. While both utilize glycerin to increase hydration and restore barrier function, the American brand addresses congestion and dark spots with niacinamide and panthenol, whereas the British brand restores suppleness with shea butter.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Cetaphil vs Elemis products

People Say

CetaphilElemis
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy application Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “absorbs quickly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Smooth, radiant and glowing skin Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Pleasant scents and spa experience Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “Smell was great and not perfumy — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Scent and fragrance complaints Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
    • “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Breakouts and skin irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Stings my face immediately after applying. — Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer”
    • “caused whiteheads — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Developed milia and closed comedones. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”

Cetaphil vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Cetaphil vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Elemis: which is better?

Both Cetaphil and Elemis achieve an equal High routine fit across all skin types on this page. Cetaphil does better for sensitive skin and lightweight application, while Elemis does better for smooth, radiant skin and a spa-like experience.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Elemis?

Cetaphil is an American brand owned by Galderma that fits best for combination, oily acne-prone, and acne-prone skin, while Elemis is a British brand owned by L'Occitane that fits best for mature, dry, and dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil offers gentle, non-stripping cleansers and hydrating, non-greasy moisturizers, whereas Elemis provides smoother skin texture and a radiant glow.

Cetaphil or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and Elemis have a High routine fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Cetaphil features gentle, non-stripping cleansers with key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, while Elemis offers hydrating moisturizers that help provide a radiant glow.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil offers products on this page that are gentler on sensitive skin, while Elemis provides a more luxurious spa experience. Both brands feature effective cleansers, but Cetaphil focuses on gentle, non-stripping formulas.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Elemis?

Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas Elemis has a high price point.

Cetaphil or Elemis: which brand is more gentle on sensitive skin?

Cetaphil does better than Elemis at being gentle on sensitive skin. Reviewers mostly mention Cetaphil for its gentle, non-stripping cleansers, and the products on this page generally avoid added fragrance.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Cetaphil or Elemis?

Cetaphil has more fragrance-free products, as 26 of its 27 products on this page list no fragrance compared to only 4 of the 22 Elemis products.

Cetaphil or Elemis: which brand is better for achieving a radiant and glowing skin texture?

Elemis does better for achieving a radiant and glowing skin texture, as reviewers note it provides smoother skin texture and a radiant glow. Cetaphil features products on this page that help hydrate skin, while Elemis focuses more on delivering that luminous, glowing finish.

Cetaphil or Elemis for oily skin?

Both brands offer products on this page that fit oily skin well. Cetaphil is particularly noted for its gentle, non-stripping cleansers and lightweight, non-greasy application.

Cetaphil or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers on this page that help deliver hydration, with Cetaphil being better suited for sensitive skin due to its fragrance-free formulas, while Elemis focuses on luxury and radiant glow.

Cetaphil or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer routines that Lovi rates as High for sensitive skin. Cetaphil is especially noted for being gentle on sensitive skin, while Elemis is more frequently associated with strong fragrance complaints.

Cetaphil or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both brands offer products on this page that fit acne-prone skin well, with Cetaphil fitting best for combination, oily acne-prone, and acne-prone skin types. Elemis products on this page may help with smooth, radiant, and glowing skin, while Cetaphil is noted for gentle, non-stripping cleansers.

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

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