🇫🇷France

CeraVe vs Clarins

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

CeraVe and Clarins are two distinct skincare brands offering nourishing moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens tailored to different complexions. The American brand is widely loved for its thoughtful range formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting acne-prone skin and combination skin best. Conversely, the French brand is favored for its delicate eye products and refreshing toners harnessing soothing shea and replenishing squalane, which suit sensitive skin and mature skin best. Ultimately, both differ primarily through their foundational ingredients and targeted solutions, with the former emphasizing barrier function and the latter focusing on reducing redness.

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

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

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Clarins products

People Say

CeraVeClarins
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Deep 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 skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Improves skin texture, barrier, and acne Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “healed cracked hands — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
  • Luxurious skincare and glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “insane how cooling it is — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “jar is tiny — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “dispenses too much — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts, irritation, or burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clarins: which is better?

CeraVe is generally better for shoppers seeking fragrance-free, lightweight formulas and targeted care for acne-prone or combination skin, while Clarins is better for those who prefer luxurious textures and glowing results. Reviewers note that the products on this page by CeraVe are less expensive and less likely to cause breakouts, whereas Clarins formulas often feature strong fragrances.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clarins?

CeraVe offers fragrance-free products focused on barrier repair and acne, while Clarins provides luxurious formulas known for a radiant glow.

CeraVe or Clarins for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins offer a High routine fit for dry skin. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulations and ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids, while Clarins provides luxurious textures with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers a better selection of cleansers, as the products on this page are noted for being gentle, non-stripping, and effective for acne and oil. Reviewers mention that CeraVe does better with lightweight, non-greasy textures and fragrance-free formulations.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clarins?

CeraVe is more affordable, whereas Clarins has a high price point. CeraVe offers budget-friendly products with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

CeraVe or Clarins: which has fragrance-free products?

CeraVe has fragrance-free products as every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas almost all Clarins products list fragrance.

CeraVe or Clarins for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins offer a High routine fit for oily skin. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulations and lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers across the products on this page, whereas Clarins focuses on luxurious textures with a high price point.

CeraVe or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers better moisturizers because reviewers note they are lightweight, non-greasy, and fragrance-free, unlike Clarins which often has complaints about strong fragrance and a high price point.

CeraVe or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a High fit for sensitive skin, but CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free and gentle formulation across all products on this page. Clarins focuses on luxurious textures and botanical extracts, though most of its products on this page include fragrance.

CeraVe or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Lovi finds CeraVe to be a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, while Clarins is a High fit. CeraVe offers fragrance-free, gentle formulations with key ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides that help improve the skin barrier and manage acne.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Clarins for combination skin?

CeraVe fits combination skin better than Clarins, offering a superior routine compared to Clarins' high routine fit level on this page. CeraVe features lightweight, fragrance-free products on this page that help maintain moisture without feeling heavy.

CeraVe or Clarins for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins offer a High level fit for mature skin with the products on this page. CeraVe formulas feature key ingredients like ceramides and retinol, which helps maintain the skin barrier and targets signs of aging as supported by studies.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

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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