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CeraVe vs Neutrogena

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

CeraVe and Neutrogena are American skincare brands known for thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, cleansers, and sunscreens formulated with trusted ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The former brand suits acne-prone skin and combination skin best with supportive formulations, while the latter brand suits dry skin and mature skin best owing to moisture-binding and barrier-supporting formulas. Both brands differ through their additional active components, as CeraVe includes dimethicone-free options for targeted care while Neutrogena relies on dimethicone to decrease visual scoring and water loss.

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

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

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Neutrogena products

People Say

CeraVeNeutrogena
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formulation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “clean but not dry — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Fragrance-free options Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Perfect for sensitive eyes, no stinging — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
  • Skin texture improvement Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Value for money and affordability Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The dropper is not efficient. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Hate dipping fingers into a jar — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Find it unsanitary — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
  • Unpleasant or slimy textures Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “formula is too runny — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scents or fragrances Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which is better?

CeraVe is a better choice for dry sensitive skin and combination skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit higher than Neutrogena's. CeraVe also does better for gentle formulations, skin texture improvement, and value for money, while every product on its page lists no fragrance.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for dry skin?

Both brands are a strong choice for dry skin, offering an equal routine fit. CeraVe and Neutrogena feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which cleanser is better?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena offer effective cleansers, but CeraVe rates higher for gentle formulation. Reviewers mention that CeraVe provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers and effective options for acne and oil, with ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids supporting skin health.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Neutrogena?

CeraVe is more affordable, as the products on this page do better for value for money and affordability.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which has better fragrance-free options?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena offer a high number of fragrance-free options on this page. Every single product listed for CeraVe contains no fragrance, whereas Neutrogena features fragrance-free formulas in 35 out of its 39 products.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers for both brands note lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers among the products on this page.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe is better for moisturizers on this page, as Lovi rates its formulas as having superior healing and texture with gentle, fragrance-free hydration. Neutrogena also provides deeply hydrating moisturizers, but CeraVe performs better overall for value and skin texture improvement.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena are well-suited for sensitive skin, offering high routine fit levels for this skin type. CeraVe formulas help provide gentle, non-stripping cleansing, while every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which sunscreen is better?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena offer sunscreens with a high Lovi fit for various skin types. CeraVe sunscreens are fragrance-free, whereas some Neutrogena sunscreens may contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe has a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin on this page, while Neutrogena has a High fit level. CeraVe does better on this page for gentle and non-stripping formulation.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for combination skin?

CeraVe fits combination skin better on this page, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Neutrogena's High level. CeraVe offers multiple products with a Superior fit for combination skin, such as the Foaming Facial Cleanser and PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for dry sensitive skin?

CeraVe is a better choice for dry sensitive skin because Lovi rates its routine as High, compared to Average for Neutrogena. CeraVe offers products like the Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Skin Renewing Night Cream, which achieve Superior fit levels for dry sensitive skin.

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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