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CeraVe vs SK-II

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

CeraVe and SK-II are beloved skincare lines, with the former recognized for dependable moisturizers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, protective sunscreens, and other daily formulas enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while the latter is cherished for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by pitera. Both brands suit dry skin best, though the American line also favors mature skin through barrier-supporting formulations, and the Japanese line additionally accommodates acne-prone skin with imbalance-correcting solutions. They differ fundamentally in their heritage and core ingredients, as well as their specific product offerings, such as the former's Foaming Facial Cleanser and the latter's Facial Treatment Essence.

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

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

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular CeraVe vs SK-II products

People Say

CeraVeSK-II
  • 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Fragrance and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Brightening, Radiance, and Glow Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin is literally glowing — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
  • Acne and Oil Control Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Value and Pricing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Price Point Complaints Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or Underwhelming Results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “takes a few months — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “meh — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Texture and Application Issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or SK-II: which is better?

CeraVe and SK-II are both great choices, with CeraVe offering budget-friendly, gentle barrier repair and SK-II delivering superior brightening and radiance.

What is the difference between CeraVe and SK-II?

CeraVe focuses on value, acne and oil control, and gentle formulas with ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide, whereas SK-II stands out for brightening, radiance, and glow using Pitera. Both brands feature fragrance-free formulations across the products on this page.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or SK-II for dry skin?

Both brands are great choices for dry skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit as High for CeraVe and Superior for SK-II. CeraVe offers products on this page containing ceramides that help restore the skin barrier, while SK-II features options like the Facial Treatment Essence which has a High fit level for dry skin.

CeraVe or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizers with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help repair the skin barrier, while SK-II features a high-performing essence moisturizer built on Pitera. For overall routine fit on the products on this page, CeraVe achieves a High level for dry skin and SK-II achieves a Superior level.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or SK-II?

CeraVe does better than SK-II for value and pricing among the products on this page.

Which brand has better texture and absorption, CeraVe or SK-II?

CeraVe and SK-II are equal in texture and absorption based on reviewer feedback on this page.

CeraVe or SK-II for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a Superior routine fit for oily skin on this page. CeraVe features cleansers and treatments formulated for acne and oil control, while SK-II offers products that help balance hydration.

CeraVe or SK-II for sensitive skin?

CeraVe and SK-II both achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin. CeraVe does better for fragrance and gentle formula among the products on this page.

CeraVe or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. CeraVe offers targeted products like the Blemish Control Cleanser that help with acne and oil control, while SK-II features options like the Genoptics Ultraura Essence.

CeraVe or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, SK-II is the better choice because Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior compared to High for CeraVe, and reviewers note that SK-II does better for brightening, radiance, and glow. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or SK-II for mature skin?

CeraVe achieves Superior routine fit for mature skin, and SK-II also achieves Superior routine fit for mature skin. Both brands offer products on this page with High fit for mature skin, such as CeraVe's Foaming Facial Cleanser and SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence.

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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