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CeraVe vs SK-II

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

CeraVe and SK-II are distinct skincare choices, with the former being an American brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017, and the latter a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991. The American brand is widely loved for its thoughtful range of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and more, all formulated with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while enthusiasts across the globe cherish the Japanese brand for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks, all anchored by its signature ingredient, pitera. Products from the first brand suit acne-prone skin and combination skin best due to their supportive formulations, whereas items from the second brand suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best, thanks to formulations designed to address imbalances. They differ because the first relies on active components like hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction duration and glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function, while regular application of the second's key ingredients actively improves pore area, roughness, and redness.

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

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

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular CeraVe vs SK-II products

People Say

CeraVeSK-II
  • 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Fragrance and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Brightening, Radiance, and Glow Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin is literally glowing — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
  • Acne and Oil Control Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Value and Pricing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Price Point Complaints Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or Underwhelming Results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “takes a few months — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “meh — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Texture and Application Issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or SK-II: which is better?

CeraVe is better for value and pricing as well as fragrance-free gentleness, while SK-II does better for brightening, radiance, and glow. For routine fit, CeraVe has a Superior level for combination skin, whereas SK-II has a Superior level for dry skin.

What is the difference between CeraVe and SK-II?

CeraVe and SK-II are both well-known skincare brands, with CeraVe offering budget-friendly, ceramide-dominant barrier repair and SK-II focusing on luxury treatments featuring Pitera. CeraVe tends to do better for fragrance-free gentle formulas and acne and oil control, whereas SK-II excels in brightening, radiance, and glow. For dry skin, Lovi rates the routine fit for CeraVe as High and for SK-II as Superior.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both CeraVe and SK-II are great choices, with Lovi giving SK-II a Superior routine fit and CeraVe a High routine fit. The products on this page for both brands contain no fragrance, and CeraVe is noted for its gentle formula.

CeraVe or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers for the products on this page, with CeraVe providing lightweight formulas featuring ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help repair the skin barrier, while SK-II features Pitera to help brighten and smooth the skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or SK-II?

CeraVe is more affordable than SK-II, as the products on this page rank better for value and pricing according to reviewers.

CeraVe or SK-II for oily skin?

CeraVe and SK-II are both good options for oily skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. Reviewers note that CeraVe is particularly strong for acne and oil control, while SK-II offers equal hydration and moisture.

CeraVe or SK-II for sensitive skin?

CeraVe and SK-II are both a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. CeraVe features gentle and fragrance-free formulas, while SK-II uses Pitera across its products on this page.

CeraVe or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. CeraVe offers targeted options like the Blemish Control Cleanser and Acne Control Gel, while SK-II features formulas like the Genoptics Ultraura Essence.

CeraVe or SK-II for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for mature skin. CeraVe offers products on this page featuring retinol, which may help stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

CeraVe or SK-II for combination skin?

For combination skin, CeraVe achieves a Superior routine fit, whereas SK-II reaches a High routine fit on the products on this page.

CeraVe or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Both brands are a High fit for skin with dark spots according to Lovi. CeraVe features products formulated with niacinamide, which may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation, whereas SK-II offers targeted essences designed to address dark spots.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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