🇮🇪Ireland

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 daily skincare basics that prioritize barrier support and gentle formulations. The American brand is known for its protective sunscreens, targeted serums, gentle cleansers, and dependable moisturizers enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting mature skin and dry skin best. Conversely, the British brand features makeup removers, cleansers, toners, and gentle moisturizers incorporating niacinamide and glycerin that suit oily skin and acne-prone skin best. While both brands nourish the skin with glycerin, they differ in their primary active ingredients and ideal skin types, as hyaluronic acid and moisture retention define one approach, whereas niacinamide and hyperpigmentation care define the other.

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 · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Simple: which is better?

CeraVe has a Superior fit for mature skin while Simple has a High fit, and both brands provide an equal High routine fit for dry skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Simple?

CeraVe and Simple both offer fragrance-free products, but CeraVe has a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin compared to Simple's High level. Simple is recognized for value and affordability, whereas CeraVe scores better in texture and absorption across the products on this page.

CeraVe or Simple for dry skin?

CeraVe and Simple both provide a High routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page feature key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help deliver deep hydration and support the skin barrier.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe provides a better range of cleansers than Simple, as the cleansers on this page achieve Superior or High Lovi fit levels across multiple skin types compared to Simple's mostly Average fit levels. CeraVe offers specialized options like gentle non-stripping formulas and effective cleansers for acne and oil, which are well-supported by key ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as it is noted for offering better value and affordability than CeraVe.

Which brand has better texture and absorption, CeraVe or Simple?

CeraVe does better than Simple for texture and absorption. The products on this page feature key ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which help support skin quality and barrier repair.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Simple: which brand has fewer packaging issues?

Simple has fewer packaging issues than CeraVe, as packaging problems are sometimes noted for Simple while they are not a prominent negative review theme for the products on this page.

CeraVe or Simple for oily skin?

CeraVe and Simple offer an equal routine fit level of High for oily skin. Both brands provide fragrance-free formulas, while the products on this page for CeraVe additionally feature key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to support skin barriers.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior healing and texture in its moisturizers compared to Simple, while providing deep hydration and lightweight, non-greasy formulas. Ceramides in CeraVe products help repair the skin barrier, whereas Simple features value-friendly, lightweight options containing glycerin and niacinamide.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer products on this page that fit sensitive skin at a High level. Reviewers note that both brands provide fragrance-free and gentle formulas.

CeraVe or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both brands provide a High routine fit for acne-prone skin. The products on this page for both CeraVe and Simple are completely fragrance-free.

CeraVe or Simple for mature skin?

CeraVe is a better choice for mature skin, as Lovi rates its fit for mature skin as Superior compared to Simple's High. CeraVe offers targeted options like retinol serums and richer night creams that help support aging skin.

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

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play