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Cetaphil vs Clinique

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

Cetaphil and Clinique are two American skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily regimens. The former is loved for its gentle cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens formulated with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol to suit oily skin and combination skin best. Conversely, the latter is widely loved for its thoughtful range of moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products incorporating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best. While both brands address similar skin concerns through targeted formulations, they differ primarily in their founding heritage and proprietary blend of active ingredients.

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

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Cetaphil vs Clinique products

People Say

CetaphilClinique
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Works well under makeup Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Layers really well under makeup — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
  • Smoother skin and texture improvement Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Skin looks smoother and even-toned — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Gentle exfoliation Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “You will see the dirt with one wipe — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • Lack of lather or unusual texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “feels a bit sticky — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Miss the bubbles, feels like washing with lotion. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scent or chemical smell Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Clinique: which is better?

Cetaphil is better for dry skin, where it achieves a High routine fit compared to an Average fit for Clinique. Reviewers also note that Cetaphil is more gentle on sensitive skin and offers better hydration and moisture at a lower price point.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Clinique?

Cetaphil is generally better for hydration and sensitive skin, offering a High routine fit for dry skin while Clinique provides an Average fit. Both brands share a High fit level for oily and sensitive skin. Additionally, the products on this page for Cetaphil feature key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to support the skin barrier.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

Cetaphil or Clinique for dry skin?

Cetaphil is the better choice for dry skin because Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Clinique's Average fit. Reviewers also report that Cetaphil provides better overall hydration and moisture.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil is generally better for gentle cleansing, as its products on this page achieve a high or superior Lovi fit level for sensitive and dry skin compared to lower ratings for cleansers like all about clean from Clinique. Reviewers also note that Cetaphil offers gentle, non-stripping cleansers that help maintain skin comfort.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Clinique?

Cetaphil is more affordable, as Clinique reviewers often mention a high price point while Cetaphil is noted for having a lower price.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which is better for mature skin?

Cetaphil has a High routine fit for mature skin, making it a better option than Clinique, which has an Average routine fit. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers and hydrating, non-greasy moisturizers.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which offers better hydration and moisture?

Cetaphil is better for hydration and moisture, as review themes show it outperforms Clinique in this category. The products on this page feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which works better under makeup?

Clinique works better under makeup compared to Cetaphil, as its products on this page are noted by reviewers for functioning well as effective makeup bases.

Cetaphil or Clinique for oily skin?

Both brands are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers while Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil is better for dry skin and general hydration among the products on this page, achieving a high routine fit compared to Clinique's average fit. Reviewers note that Cetaphil offers hydrating, non-greasy moisturizers that are gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both Cetaphil and Clinique achieve a High fit level for sensitive skin on this page. Reviewers note that Cetaphil performs better for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Cetaphil or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

Cetaphil is a better fit for acne-prone skin, achieving a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average level. Reviewers report that Cetaphil provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers and hydrating, non-greasy moisturizers that are well suited for blemish-prone complexions.

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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