🇫🇷France

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 drugstore lines offering thoughtfully formulated cleansers, moisturizers, and targeted treatments for various complexions. The American brand is widely loved for its ceramide-rich moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens featuring hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting acne-prone and combination skin best. Conversely, the British brand is beloved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin, which suit acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots. While both brands support skin health, they differ in their primary active ingredients and specific formulations tailored for distinct dermatological needs.

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 · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Simple: which is better?

CeraVe offers superior fit levels for combination and acne-prone skin compared to Simple on this page. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulas, but CeraVe provides better texture and absorption.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Simple?

CeraVe offers superior fit levels for combination and acne-prone skin on this page, while Simple provides budget-friendly value. Both brands deliver fragrance-free products and equal routine fit for dry, oily, sensitive, and mature skin.

CeraVe or Simple for dry skin?

CeraVe and Simple offer an equal routine fit level of High for dry skin. The products on this page for both brands are fragrance-free, while CeraVe provides ceramides that help repair the skin barrier and hyaluronic acid that helps retain moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers superior and highly rated cleansers across multiple skin types, featuring key ingredients like ceramides and salicylic acid. Simple cleansers generally show average or lower fit levels by comparison, though both brands provide gentle, fragrance-free formulations.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers mostly note its value and affordability among the products on this page.

CeraVe or Simple for oily skin?

CeraVe and Simple offer an equal High routine fit for oily skin, but the products on this page show that CeraVe features superior oil-cleansing options like the Foaming Facial Cleanser. CeraVe formulas contain ceramides, which help repair the skin barrier, and niacinamide, which may help regulate oil production.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior texture and absorption for its moisturizers compared to Simple, while both brands provide equal hydration and moisture levels on the products on this page. CeraVe moisturizers help deliver deep hydration using ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides that support skin barrier repair.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe has a Superior Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, while Simple has an Average fit. The products on this page for CeraVe include key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, and the brand is noted for effective cleansers for acne and oil.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple for combination skin?

CeraVe fits combination skin better than Simple, with Lovi giving CeraVe a superior routine fit compared to a high fit for Simple.

CeraVe or Simple for mature skin?

CeraVe has a High Lovi fit for mature skin, while Simple also has a High Lovi fit. CeraVe offers superior texture and absorption, whereas Simple is more value-friendly.

CeraVe or Simple for skin with dark spots?

CeraVe fits skin with dark spots at a High level, which is equal to Simple. CeraVe offers a wider variety of specialized treatments containing niacinamide and retinol, which help improve skin tone and texture.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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