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CeraVe vs Neutrogena

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

CeraVe and Neutrogena are two American skincare brands offering reliable moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, and more. Both brands utilize hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin, with the latter also incorporating dimethicone. CeraVe suits acne-prone and dry skin best, whereas its counterpart is ideal for oily acne-prone and acne-prone skin. Ultimately, the brands differ in their standout products and specific active ingredients, which perform essential functions like restoring barrier function and lengthening wrinkle reduction.

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

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

Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.

investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Neutrogena products

People Say

CeraVeNeutrogena
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
    • “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formulation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “clean but not dry — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Fragrance-free options Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great for sensitive skin — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
    • “Perfect for sensitive eyes, no stinging — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
  • Skin texture improvement Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “smoother complexion — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “less greasy — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
  • Value for money and affordability Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “great price point — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “The dropper is not efficient. — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum”
    • “Hate dipping fingers into a jar — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
    • “Find it unsanitary — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
  • Unpleasant or slimy textures Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “leaves greasy film — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
    • “formula is too runny — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scents or fragrances Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs Neutrogena routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which is better?

CeraVe is better for acne-prone and dry sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin and a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin compared to Neutrogena's High and Average fits. CeraVe also outperforms Neutrogena in gentle formulation, skin texture improvement, and value for money, while every product on its page lists no fragrance. Ceramides help repair the skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid provides deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between CeraVe and Neutrogena?

CeraVe and Neutrogena are both United States skincare brands founded in the 2000s and 1930s, respectively. CeraVe achieves a superior routine fit for acne-prone skin and dry sensitive skin compared to Neutrogena, while also offering ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for dry skin?

CeraVe and Neutrogena offer equal fit levels for dry skin, and both feature lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers that help deliver deep hydration. CeraVe includes fragrance-free options across all the products on this page, whereas Neutrogena sometimes notes strong fragrance issues.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe and Neutrogena both offer cleansers with a Superior fit level for certain skin types, such as the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser and Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser. CeraVe achieves a higher fit level for dry sensitive skin, whereas Neutrogena products on this page sometimes note strong fragrances and scent issues.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Neutrogena?

CeraVe is more affordable than Neutrogena, as it is noted for offering better value for money and affordability.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which is better for anti-aging and mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena offer a High Lovi routine fit for mature skin, meaning they perform equally well for anti-aging. CeraVe achieves this with products containing retinol and niacinamide, while Neutrogena features retinol and hyaluronic acid to help improve skin firmness and hydration.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Do CeraVe and Neutrogena products contain fragrance?

Every CeraVe product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. Neutrogena also offers many fragrance-free products on the page, though a few options do contain fragrance.

Which brand performs better regarding packaging quality?

Neutrogena faces more packaging and design issues according to reviewer feedback on this page. CeraVe does better in this area.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena are a High fit for oily skin. Reviewers for both brands note lightweight and non-greasy moisturizers.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior options for acne-prone skin, while both brands deliver a High fit level for dry skin among the products on this page. CeraVe features ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help alleviate skin irritation, whereas Neutrogena provides lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers with hyaluronic acid that help improve hydration.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Neutrogena for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Neutrogena fit sensitive skin with a High Lovi level. CeraVe formulas list no fragrance across the products on this page, whereas a few Neutrogena items may contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Neutrogena: which sunscreen is better?

Both brands offer sunscreens with a Superior Lovi fit level for various skin types, such as Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen and CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30. CeraVe sunscreens focus strictly on fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page, whereas Neutrogena includes some options with fragrance.

CeraVe or Neutrogena for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Neutrogena has a High routine fit. The products on this page for CeraVe help provide effective cleansers for acne and oil.

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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