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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 creating daily essentials that support moisture retention and barrier health. CeraVe offers dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, and protective sunscreens enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, making its products suit mature skin and dry skin best. Neutrogena is widely loved for its thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, and toners featuring glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, which suit sensitive skin and dry skin best. While both brands nourish delicate barriers and improve hydration, they differ in their specific product lineups and targeted formulations.

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 · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which is better?

CeraVe has a Superior fit level for mature skin on this page, while Neutrogena has a High fit level. CeraVe does better for gentle and non-stripping formulation, skin texture improvement, and value for money.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Neutrogena?

CeraVe has a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin, whereas Neutrogena has a High level, and CeraVe does better for gentle formulations, skin texture improvement, and value for money based on the products on this page.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena are a High fit for dry skin on this page, offering deep hydration and lightweight moisturizers. CeraVe helps maintain barrier repair lipids, while Neutrogena features hyaluronic acid to support skin quality and moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe does better for gentle and non-stripping formulations among the cleansers on this page. CeraVe barrier repair lipids help alleviate skin irritation and dryness.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Neutrogena?

CeraVe does better than Neutrogena for value for money and affordability.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which brand has better options for mature skin?

CeraVe has better options for mature skin because its routine fit for mature skin is Superior, whereas Neutrogena has a High routine fit level.

Do CeraVe and Neutrogena products contain fragrance?

Both brands offer fragrance-free choices among the products on this page. Every CeraVe product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while Neutrogena has a few fragranced options alongside its many fragrance-free products.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which is better for improving skin texture?

CeraVe does better for skin texture according to the review themes on this page. The products on this page help improve texture with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which support barrier repair and hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Neutrogena for oily skin?

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

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which moisturizer is better?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin, though CeraVe is noted for superior barrier repair and fragrance-free options across the products on this page.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. CeraVe achieves a gentler formulation in the products on this page by avoiding fragrance entirely, whereas Neutrogena features fragrance in 4 of its 39 products.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which sunscreen is better?

Both brands offer sunscreens with high Lovi fit levels for several skin types, but CeraVe has more fragrance-free options as every product on this page lists no fragrance. Neutrogena sunscreens also help provide sun protection, though some of its products may contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena have a High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on this page, and both offer fragrance-free options. CeraVe achieves a Superior fit level for specific acne products like the Blemish Control Cleanser and Acne Control Gel, while Neutrogena features options such as the Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser and Daily Facial Moisturizer achieving a Superior fit level.

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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