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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 widely loved for their thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, and more, formulated with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. The former brand suits acne-prone and combination skin best, utilizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction duration and glycerin to improve hydration and restore barrier function. Meanwhile, the latter brand suits dry sensitive and oily skin best, incorporating comforting components like caffeine to prevent excessive fat accumulation and protect against UV radiation. Ultimately, they differ in their foundational portfolios and targeted formulations, offering distinct paths to balanced skin.

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

Buy CeraVe routine · SAR 659.02 · 89% fitBuy Clinique routine · SAR 1,700.45 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · SAR 1,155.51 · 87% fitBuy Clinique routine · SAR 1,198.78 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · SAR 993.85 · 91% fitBuy Clinique routine · SAR 1,205.12 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better?

CeraVe outperforms Clinique on this page with superior value and hydration, while both brands offer equally gentle fragrance-free formulas and strong performance for oily, sensitive, and mature skin. CeraVe achieves a higher routine fit for dry skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin, and dark spots.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clinique?

CeraVe and Clinique differ mainly in their formulation focus, with CeraVe offering superior hydration and value while Clinique excels in makeup removal and pricing, as CeraVe is generally more affordable and features ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids.

CeraVe or Clinique for dry skin?

CeraVe is a better option for dry skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as High compared to Clinique's Average. CeraVe offers ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help alleviate dry skin conditions.

CeraVe or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe has a higher average Lovi fit level for cleansers across skin types compared to Clinique, which has several cleansers rated as low or warning. CeraVe offers cleansers that are especially suited for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clinique?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clinique, as the products on this page show CeraVe performing better for value and pricing.

CeraVe or Clinique for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique fit oily skin well, with Lovi rating each brand's routine as High. CeraVe offers products on this page like the Foaming Facial Cleanser and PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion that help manage oil and acne-prone skin.

CeraVe or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers superior hydration and value for its moisturizers on this page compared to Clinique. CeraVe features ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help restore skin, while hyaluronic acid and glycerin help maintain deep moisture.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique fit sensitive skin well, as Lovi rates both brands as High for this skin type. The products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

CeraVe or Clinique: which makeup remover is better?

Clinique is better for makeup removal among the products on this page, as its makeup removers are well-liked for deeply dissolving makeup. Lovi finds that Clinique fit levels vary across skin types for these items.

CeraVe or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better than Clinique, as Lovi rates CeraVe's routine as Superior for this skin type compared to Clinique's Average fit. The products on this page help provide effective cleansers for acne and oil.

CeraVe or Clinique for combination skin?

For combination skin, CeraVe achieves a Superior Lovi fit level on the products on this page, while Clinique reaches a High level. CeraVe offers better overall value and hydration compared to Clinique on these products.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clinique for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, CeraVe is the better choice because Lovi rates its overall routine fit as High compared to Clinique's Average fit. Niacinamide, an ingredient featured across the products on this page, helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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