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CeraVe vs Clarins

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

CeraVe and Clarins are two distinct skincare lines known for addressing different complexions through specific formulations. CeraVe is an American brand celebrated for its hydrating cleansers and moisturizers featuring hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which suit acne-prone and dry skin best. Conversely, the French brand Clarins is favored for its luxurious serums and creams enriched with shea and squalane, making it ideal for sensitive skin. While both offer targeted treatments for various needs, they differ fundamentally in their ingredient profiles and sensory experiences.

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

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

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Clarins products

People Say

CeraVeClarins
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Deep 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 skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Improves skin texture, barrier, and acne Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “healed cracked hands — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
  • Luxurious skincare and glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “insane how cooling it is — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “jar is tiny — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “dispenses too much — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts, irritation, or burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clarins: which is better?

CeraVe has a High Lovi fit for dry skin and offers fragrance-free formulas with ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help restore the skin barrier.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clarins?

CeraVe focuses on fragrance-free formulations with ceramides and hyaluronic acid that offer a High fit for dry skin, whereas Clarins relies on luxurious textures and botanical ingredients with an Average fit for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Clarins for dry skin?

CeraVe has a High Lovi routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clarins has an Average fit. The products on this page for CeraVe are fragrance-free and feature key barrier-repair ingredients like ceramides, which helps restore moisture.

CeraVe or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers on this page, as they are mostly fragrance-free and known for being gentle and effective against acne and oil. Clarins cleansers often contain fragrance, which may cause sensitivity issues.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clarins?

CeraVe is more affordable, whereas Clarins is noted for a high price point across the products on this page.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, CeraVe or Clarins?

CeraVe has more fragrance-free products than Clarins, as every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas only one product on the Clarins page does.

Which brand is better for reducing skin dark spots, CeraVe or Clarins?

Both CeraVe and Clarins have High levels of Lovi fit for skin with dark spots. CeraVe includes ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Clarins for oily skin?

CeraVe fits oily skin better than Clarins, with Lovi rating its routine as High compared to Clarins at Average. Reviewers often mention CeraVe for effective cleansers for acne and oil, while Clarins is more prone to fragrance complaints and higher prices.

CeraVe or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe has the better moisturizer options on this page, offering lightweight, fragrance-free formulas with a High routine fit for dry skin compared to Clarins' Average routine fit. Reviewers frequently mention CeraVe for deep hydration and non-greasy textures.

CeraVe or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both brands feature a High routine fit for sensitive skin, but CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free and gentle formulation across the products on this page. Clarins offers luxurious textures, though the brand includes fragrance in most of its formulas.

CeraVe or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe is better for acne-prone skin, with Lovi rating its routine as Superior compared to Clarins' Average. CeraVe offers effective cleansers and lightweight moisturizers that help address acne, whereas Clarins formulas often contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Clarins for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins achieve a High level of routine fit for mature skin. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and retinol, whereas Clarins offers luxurious textures and glow-boosting formulations.

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?

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