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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 known for thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, and cleansers that harness hydrating hyaluronic acid and nourishing glycerin. CeraVe suits acne-prone and dry skin best, while Clinique suits dry sensitive and oily skin best by also incorporating caffeine. Ultimately, the brands differ through their distinct formulations and ownership, with the former offering standalone cleansers and the latter providing specialized eye products.

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 · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better?

CeraVe is generally better for hydration and value, while both brands offer equal performance for mature, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin on this page. CeraVe achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin, whereas Clinique is noted for a higher price point.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clinique?

CeraVe offers better value and deeper hydration with ceramide-dominant formulas, whereas Clinique is known for its makeup removers and high price point. Both brands provide fragrance-free options and similar texture improvements.

CeraVe or Clinique for dry skin?

CeraVe is a better fit for dry skin, as the routine fit on this page is High compared to Clinique's Average. CeraVe offers deep hydration and ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help alleviate dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe provides a High fit for cleansers compared to the lower ratings seen for the products on this page from Clinique. Reviewers mention that CeraVe offers gentle, non-stripping cleansers that are effective for acne and oil.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clinique?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clinique, as the products on this page excel in value and pricing compared to Clinique's higher price point.

Which brand has better packaging according to reviewers?

Clinique has better packaging according to reviewers, whereas CeraVe occasionally receives complaints about its packaging on the products on this page.

CeraVe or Clinique for oily skin?

Both brands fit oily skin well, with CeraVe offering a High routine fit and Clinique also achieving a High routine fit on the products on this page. CeraVe features key ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide, while Clinique relies on items like salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid to help control excess oil.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe is better for moisturizers on this page, as Lovi rates its routine fit higher for dry and sensitive skin while reviewers mention deep hydration and superior healing. Clinique moisturizers are noted for being lightweight and fast-absorbing, but CeraVe offers better value and ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids.

CeraVe or Clinique for sensitive skin?

CeraVe is better for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High while Clinique's is Average. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page.

CeraVe or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe is a better fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, offering a superior routine fit compared to Clinique's average fit. Ceramides help repair the skin barrier, which is beneficial for acne-prone skin.

CeraVe or Clinique for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique fit mature skin well, as Lovi rates their routines as High for CeraVe and High for Clinique. CeraVe offers products on this page containing retinol, which helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007

CeraVe or Clinique for skin with dark spots?

CeraVe achieves a High Lovi fit level for skin with dark spots, whereas Clinique reaches an Average fit level. Both brands include niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to help improve skin clarity.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

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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