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CeraVe vs Clinique

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

CeraVe and Clinique are American skincare brands offering daily formulas like reliable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and targeted serums enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The brand founded in 2005 suits mature and dry skin best through formulations that support moisture retention and barrier health, while the 1968 counterpart suits dry sensitive and oily skin best with comforting, balancing ingredients. Both utilize hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction duration and glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function. Ultimately, they differ through distinct additional ingredients and specialized options tailored to unique skin concerns.

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

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

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 CeraVe and Clinique products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs Clinique products

People Say

CeraVeClinique
  • 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”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formulas Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “cured my dry patches — CeraVe Eye Repair Cream”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Skin Texture and Clarity Improvements Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
  • Makeup Removal and Application Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Value and Pricing Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “lasts forever — Clinique all about clean”
  • Breakouts and Acne Purging Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Price and Cost Complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Packaging Complaints Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Unhygienic tub — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “prefer a pump dispenser — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better?

CeraVe has a better fit for more skin types on the products on this page, while Clinique matches it only for dry sensitive, oily, and oily acne-prone skin. CeraVe offers superior results for mature skin and better value overall, whereas Clinique is noted for a higher price point and makeup removal.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clinique?

CeraVe and Clinique both offer fragrance-free skincare products, but CeraVe provides better overall value and hydration while Clinique excels in makeup removal and application. For specific skin types on the products on this page, CeraVe achieves a Superior fit for mature skin, whereas Clinique reaches a High fit level for that skin type.

CeraVe or Clinique for dry skin?

CeraVe fits dry skin better than Clinique, as Lovi rates CeraVe's routine as High for dry skin while Clinique's routine is Average. CeraVe offers deep hydration and features ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids.

CeraVe or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers a wider selection of cleansers with higher Lovi fit levels across skin types, particularly for dry and oily acne-prone skin, compared to the products on this page for Clinique. Reviewers also frequently note CeraVe cleansers for being gentle and non-stripping.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clinique?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clinique, as the products on this page show better value and pricing. Reviewers frequently note that Clinique has a high price point.

CeraVe or Clinique: which has better makeup removers?

Clinique does better than CeraVe for makeup removal among the products on this page. Reviewers frequently note that Clinique offers deeply dissolving makeup removers.

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better for mature skin?

CeraVe fits mature skin better than Clinique, as Lovi rates CeraVe's routine as Superior and Clinique's as High.

CeraVe or Clinique: which has better options for dry sensitive skin?

CeraVe has better options for dry sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Clinique's Average.

CeraVe or Clinique for oily skin?

Both brands are a good choice for oily skin, with Lovi giving CeraVe a High fit level and Clinique a High fit level. Reviewers mention that the products on this page help provide oil-controlling and smoothing benefits, while maintaining fragrance-free formulas.

CeraVe or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior and high Lovi fit levels across most moisturizers on this page, especially for mature, dry, and sensitive skin types. Reviewers often mention its deep hydration and fragrance-free moisturizers, whereas Clinique is more frequently noted for a high price point.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clinique for sensitive skin?

CeraVe fits sensitive skin better than Clinique, as Lovi rates CeraVe High for sensitive skin while rating Clinique Average. Both brands provide fragrance-free and gentle formulas across the products on this page.

CeraVe or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better than Clinique, as Lovi rates CeraVe's routine as High and Clinique's as Average. CeraVe offers multiple cleansers and treatments that are well-suited for acne and oil control.

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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