🇮🇹Italy

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 daily skincare lines offering gentle cleansers, dependable moisturizers, and targeted formulas infused with skin-supporting ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. The American brand is celebrated for nourishing mature and dry skin types through barrier-fortifying properties, while the British brand is beloved for nurturing acne-prone and mature skin with soothing, straightforward care. Ultimately, the former relies on hyaluronic acid for advanced moisture retention, whereas the latter utilizes niacinamide to address hyperpigmentation and signs of aging.

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 · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Simple: which is better?

CeraVe and Simple offer comparable performance across most skin types with equal routine fit levels, though CeraVe achieves a Superior fit for mature skin compared to Simple's High fit. Both brands provide fragrance-free formulas, but CeraVe features a broader selection of key ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help support barrier repair and hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between CeraVe and Simple?

CeraVe and Simple both offer fragrance-free products, but CeraVe achieves a Superior Lovi fit for mature skin while Simple reaches a High level. CeraVe features a wider variety of key ingredients across the products on this page like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which helps repair the skin barrier and provide deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Simple for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin. The products on this page from both brands offer gentle, fragrance-free hydration.

CeraVe or Simple: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers on this page, with superior or high Lovi fit levels across multiple skin types, whereas Simple cleansers generally show average or low fit levels. CeraVe cleansers feature key ingredients like ceramides and salicylic acid to gently cleanse and address acne or oil, supported by barrier repair and anti-microbial evidence.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple is more affordable as a value-friendly brand compared to CeraVe. Review themes on the page note that Simple performs better for value and affordability.

CeraVe or Simple: which brand has better texture and absorption?

CeraVe does better for texture and absorption than Simple across the products on this page.

CeraVe or Simple: which is better at makeup removal?

Simple stands out for makeup removal, as reviewers note its products are gentle and effective daily makeup removers.

CeraVe or Simple for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer a High routine fit for oily skin on the products on this page. Reviewers report that CeraVe provides lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and effective cleansers for oil, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

CeraVe or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe features superior healing and texture in moisturizers compared to Simple. The products on this page help provide lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that are fragrance-free.

CeraVe or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer high Lovi routine fit for sensitive skin among the products on this page. Ceramides in CeraVe help repair the skin barrier, while both brands provide fragrance-free formulas.

CeraVe or Simple for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe and Simple offer equal routine fit levels for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Both brands feature gentle, fragrance-free formulas, though reviewers note that each brand may occasionally cause breakouts.

CeraVe or Simple for mature skin?

CeraVe has a Superior Lovi fit level for mature skin, whereas Simple has a High fit level. CeraVe products on this page often feature ceramides and retinol, which help improve signs of aging.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

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