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CeraVe vs SK-II

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

CeraVe and SK-II are beloved skincare brands offering thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, cleansers, serums, sunscreens, masks, and toners. The American brand harnesses hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin, whereas the Japanese brand anchors its solutions in signature pitera. Both suit acne-prone skin and dry skin best, gently nurturing delicate complexions with time-tested efficacy. They differ primarily in their standout offerings and active ingredients, as the former focuses on barrier restoration and wrinkle reduction while the latter improves pore area, skin roughness, and redness.

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

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

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular CeraVe vs SK-II products

People Say

CeraVeSK-II
  • 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”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “skin feels deeply hydrated, plump, and smoother — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
  • Fragrance and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Watery consistency — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Brightening, Radiance, and Glow Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “skin is literally glowing — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
  • Acne and Oil Control Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Never breaks me out — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “helped to stop my breakout in its tracks — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Value and Pricing Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Price Point Complaints Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Slow or Underwhelming Results Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “takes a few months — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “meh — CeraVe Hydrating Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Texture and Application Issues Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “cotton is too thick and heavy — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “dried to a tacky finish — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
  • Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused tiny red bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Small bumps — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
    • “did break out some while adjusting — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or SK-II: which is better?

CeraVe is better for value and pricing, fragrance-free formulas, and acne or oil control among the products on this page, while SK-II does better for brightening, radiance, and glow. Both brands perform equally well for hydration, texture, and absorption.

What is the difference between CeraVe and SK-II?

CeraVe is an American brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by Procter & Gamble. The products on this page for CeraVe feature key ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, whereas SK-II focuses on Pitera. Reviewers note that CeraVe does better with fragrance and gentle formulas, acne and oil control, and value, while SK-II does better with brightening, radiance, and glow.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, CeraVe and SK-II are both great choices with high routine fit levels on this page. CeraVe relies on ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help restore the skin barrier and provide deep hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

CeraVe or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both CeraVe and SK-II offer highly rated moisturizers on this page, with CeraVe providing lightweight formulas with ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help maintain moisture and support barrier repair, while SK-II features treatments like the Facial Treatment Essence powered by Pitera to help enhance skin radiance.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or SK-II?

CeraVe is more affordable, as the review themes for the products on this page show that it does better in value and pricing, whereas its competitor receives price point complaints.

Which brand has better texture and absorption?

CeraVe and SK-II have equal performance for texture and absorption based on reviewer feedback on this page.

CeraVe or SK-II for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for oily skin. CeraVe features products on the page like the Foaming Facial Cleanser which has a Superior fit for oily skin and helps control oil and acne.

CeraVe or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. CeraVe formulas feature key ingredients like ceramides that help repair the skin barrier, while SK-II products rely on Pitera.

CeraVe or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin with the products on this page. CeraVe features cleansers and treatments formulated with salicylic acid and niacinamide, which helps manage oil and blemishes.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or SK-II for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II offer a High routine fit for mature skin, with the products on this page utilizing key ingredients like ceramides and Pitera to help address aging concerns. Reviewers indicate that CeraVe does better for fragrance and gentle formulas, while SK-II does better for brightening, radiance, and glow.

CeraVe or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High Lovi fit level for skin with dark spots. The products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C derivatives that help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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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