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CeraVe vs Shiseido

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

CeraVe and Shiseido are prominent skincare brands that offer thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, and more. The American brand is known for utilizing hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin to best suit acne-prone skin and dry skin, while the Japanese brand is beloved for formulating with key ingredients like glycerin to best suit sensitive skin and mature skin. Ultimately, both brands differ through their distinct founding histories, parent companies, and specific active ingredient functions.

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

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

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular CeraVe vs Shiseido products

People Say

CeraVeShiseido
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
  • 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 — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Fades acne marks and improves texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “Velvety smooth — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
    • “wrinkles look softer — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream Enriched”
  • Fast absorption and radiance boost Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “Pleasant floral fragrance, relaxing, luxurious smell. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
  • Luxurious texture and feel Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “Velvety texture — Shiseido FUTURE SOLUTION LX”
  • Product price and high cost Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Packaging and pump issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “heavy to travel — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
    • “Heavy bottle but plastic pump, cannot see remaining product, straw too short to get last drops. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “heavy jar, waste of plastic, faulty pump (on dispenser versions) — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”

CeraVe vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Shiseido: which is better?

CeraVe and Shiseido both fit dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, dark spot, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin at equal levels, but CeraVe has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin while Shiseido has a High fit. CeraVe offers fragrance-free and gentle formulations with ceramides and niacinamide that help repair the skin barrier, whereas Shiseido provides luxurious textures and deep hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between CeraVe and Shiseido?

CeraVe provides fragrance-free and gentle formulations with ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids, whereas Shiseido features luxurious textures and deep hydration while often containing fragrance.

CeraVe or Shiseido for dry skin?

Both brands are a High fit for dry skin, though CeraVe focuses on fragrance-free formulas with ceramides while Shiseido offers luxurious textures and deep hydration. Ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids help alleviate dry skin barrier issues.

CeraVe or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers for sensitive and acne-prone skin because the products on this page are fragrance-free and gentle.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Shiseido?

CeraVe is more affordable than Shiseido, as Shiseido's high price point is mostly noted by reviewers while CeraVe fares better on product price and cost.

CeraVe or Shiseido: which brand is better for reducing wrinkles and firming mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Shiseido offer products with a High Lovi fit level for mature skin, making them equally suitable for this skin type. CeraVe relies on ingredients like retinol to help improve skin texture, whereas Shiseido provides luxurious, firming moisturizers with deep hydration.

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

Do CeraVe and Shiseido products contain added fragrance?

Every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while Shiseido includes fragrance in 15 of its 20 products on this page.

CeraVe or Shiseido: which brand has better options for fading dark spots?

Both CeraVe and Shiseido offer products with a High fit for skin with dark spots. Niacinamide helps reduce skin pigmentation, and the products on this page for both brands feature ingredients that may improve skin radiance.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or Shiseido for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Shiseido offer products with a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page for CeraVe help provide lightweight and non-greasy moisturizers, while Shiseido provides deep hydration.

CeraVe or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe is better for fragrance-free and lightweight moisturizers, while Shiseido offers more luxurious textures and deep hydration on this page. Shiseido's moisturizers help improve radiance, and CeraVe's products often feature ceramides and hyaluronic acid to help maintain the skin barrier.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

CeraVe or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Shiseido offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin, but CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free and gentle formulation across the products on this page. CeraVe formulas include ceramides, which help repair the skin barrier.

CeraVe or Shiseido: which sunscreen is better?

CeraVe has a High fit level for sunscreens on this page, and every product lists no fragrance, while Shiseido sunscreens may have a strong fragrance and higher price point.

CeraVe or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better with a Superior routine level compared to Shiseido's High level. The products on this page are fragrance-free and feature key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help support the skin barrier.

Journal 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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