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Cetaphil vs Clinique

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

Cetaphil and Clinique are American skincare brands known for their thoughtful formulations tailored to different complexions. The former offers cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens enriched with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol that suit acne-prone and combination skin best, while the latter features moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products incorporating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine which suit dry sensitive and oily skin best. While both provide targeted solutions for mature skin, dark spots, and acne-prone skin, they differ in their primary ingredients and the specific skin types they nurture.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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 Cetaphil and Clinique products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Cetaphil vs Clinique products

People Say

CetaphilClinique
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “Leaves my face feeling soft, not tight. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Works well under makeup Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Layers really well under makeup — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
  • Smoother skin and texture improvement Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Skin looks smoother and even-toned — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
  • Gentle exfoliation Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “You will see the dirt with one wipe — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Micro-fine granules don't irritate — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
  • Lack of lather or unusual texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “feels a bit sticky — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “Miss the bubbles, feels like washing with lotion. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant scent or chemical smell Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Cetaphil vs Clinique routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Clinique: which is better?

Cetaphil is generally better for dry, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, where Lovi awards it higher routine fit levels than Clinique. Both brands achieve equal High fit levels for oily and mature skin on the products on this page.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Clinique?

Cetaphil is generally gentler on sensitive skin and provides superior hydration, whereas Clinique is better at texture improvement and works well under makeup. For routine fit, Cetaphil achieves High or Superior levels across most skin types like dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, while Clinique fits dry sensitive, oily, and mature skin best at High levels.

Cetaphil or Clinique for dry skin?

Cetaphil is the better choice for dry skin, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil offers a higher Lovi fit for cleansers on this page, with multiple options rated Superior for dry, oily, and sensitive skin types. Reviewers also note that Cetaphil provides gentle, non-stripping cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Clinique?

Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas Clinique is noted for having a high price point.

Between Cetaphil and Clinique, which brand is gentler on sensitive skin?

Cetaphil is gentler on sensitive skin compared to Clinique. Review themes rate Cetaphil as better for being gentle on sensitive skin.

Which skincare brand works better under makeup, Cetaphil or Clinique?

Clinique works better under makeup compared to Cetaphil, as supported by reviewer feedback on this page.

How do the routines for acne-prone skin compare between Cetaphil and Clinique?

Cetaphil achieves a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Clinique achieves an Average fit. Cetaphil features products on this page that help soothe blemishes without stripping moisture, while Clinique relies on a higher price point and lighter moisturizers.

Cetaphil or Clinique for oily skin?

Both brands achieve a High fit level for oily skin among the products on this page. Reviewers note that Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while Cetaphil provides oil-focused cleansers and lightweight hydration.

Cetaphil or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil and Clinique both offer products on this page that provide good hydration, but Cetaphil achieves a High routine fit for dry skin while Clinique achieves an Average fit. Cetaphil is generally gentler on sensitive skin, whereas Clinique is often noted for a higher price point and occasional breakouts.

Cetaphil or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Cetaphil is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit on this page. Reviewers report that Cetaphil is more gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Clinique products have a higher price point.

Cetaphil or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

Cetaphil is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

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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