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Cetaphil vs Clinique

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

Cetaphil and Clinique are two American skincare brands offering thoughtful ranges of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and more, formulated with nourishing ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine. The former suits combination and acne-prone skin best, while the latter suits dry sensitive and oily skin best. Ultimately, both brands differ through their key compositions and targeted solutions, with the former providing hydration, barrier restoration, and reduced hyperpigmentation, and the latter delivering extended wrinkle reduction and UV protection.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs Clinique products

People Say

CetaphilClinique
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Works well under makeup Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Layers really well under makeup — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
  • Smoother skin and texture improvement Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Skin looks smoother and even-toned — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Gentle exfoliation Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “You will see the dirt with one wipe — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • Lack of lather or unusual texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “feels a bit sticky — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Miss the bubbles, feels like washing with lotion. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scent or chemical smell Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Clinique: which is better?

Cetaphil is generally better for sensitive skin and hydration, whereas Clinique is often preferred for smoothing texture and working well under makeup. For the products on this page, Lovi rates Cetaphil's routine fit as High for dry skin, while Clinique's routine fit is Average.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Clinique?

Cetaphil is generally gentler on sensitive skin and provides better hydration, while Clinique works better under makeup and improves skin texture. Cetaphil has a high routine fit for dry, combination, sensitive, acne-prone, and dark spot skin, whereas Clinique has an average fit for those skin types.

Cetaphil or Clinique for dry skin?

Cetaphil fits dry skin better overall, with the products on this page achieving a High routine fit compared to an Average fit for Clinique. Cetaphil is noted for providing superior gentle hydration and effective non-stripping cleansers.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil is generally better for gentle cleansing, as the products on this page are mostly mentioned for being gentle and non-stripping on sensitive skin. In contrast, Clinique reviewers sometimes note a lack of lather or an unusual texture.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Clinique?

Cetaphil is more affordable than Clinique, as high price points are noted as a drawback for the products on this page from Clinique, while Cetaphil is recognized for its lower price.

Between Cetaphil and Clinique, which brand is better for mature skin?

Both Cetaphil and Clinique achieve a High routine fit level for mature skin among the products on this page. Cetaphil is noted as doing better for hydration and moisture, while Clinique is noted as doing better for smoother skin and texture improvement.

How do Cetaphil and Clinique compare in terms of fragrance across their products?

Cetaphil includes fragrance in only one product on this page, its Oily Skin Cleanser, while the remaining products on this page list no fragrance. Clinique lists no fragrance in every product on this page.

Which brand performs better for skin with dark spots, Cetaphil or Clinique?

Cetaphil performs better for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Average for Clinique. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Clinique for oily skin?

Both Cetaphil and Clinique are good options for oily skin, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type. Reviewers note that both brands offer effective oil-controlling moisturizers and gentle cleansers to manage excess shine.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil products on this page provide a High routine fit for dry skin, while Clinique products on this page offer an Average fit. Additionally, Cetaphil is rated better for hydration and moisture, and contains key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin that help support skin hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or Clinique for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Cetaphil provides a High routine fit on the products on this page compared to an Average fit for Clinique. Cetaphil also performs better on being gentle on sensitive skin according to reviewer themes, and Niacinamide may help calm inflammation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Cetaphil is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as High, whereas Clinique's routine fit is Average.

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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