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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 prominent skincare brands that offer thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and more, all formulated with supportive ingredients. The American brand is widely loved for utilizing hyaluronic acid and glycerin to suit acne-prone and combination skin best, while the Japanese brand is cherished for utilizing pitera to suit dry sensitive and combination skin best. They differ primarily in their core active components and targeted formulations, providing distinct approaches to hydration and skin restoration.

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

Buy CeraVe routine · SAR 659.02 · 89% fitBuy SK-II routine · SAR 2,157.75 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 1,935.93 · 89% fitBuy CeraVe routine · SAR 1,155.51 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · SAR 993.85 · 91% fitBuy SK-II routine · SAR 2,044.94 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or SK-II: which is better?

CeraVe and SK-II are both great, as each brand achieves a Superior fit level for combination skin and acne-prone skin on the products on this page. CeraVe helps with acne and oil control and offers fragrance-free formulas, while SK-II does better with brightening, radiance, and glow.

What is the difference between CeraVe and SK-II?

CeraVe and SK-II are both well-regarded skincare brands, but CeraVe focuses on affordable barrier-repair formulas with ceramides and niacinamide, while SK-II features fermented pitera ingredients aimed at brightening and radiance. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates SK-II as Superior and CeraVe as High. For oily acne-prone skin, Lovi rates CeraVe as Superior and SK-II as High.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or SK-II for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II are good options for dry skin, as Lovi gives each brand a High routine fit level for this skin type. CeraVe helps restore moisture with ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids, while SK-II uses its signature Pitera to improve skin quality.

CeraVe or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both CeraVe and SK-II offer exceptional moisturizers, with CeraVe excelling in value and gentle formulations, while SK-II stands out for brightening and radiance. For dry sensitive skin, Lovi rates SK-II as Superior and CeraVe as High.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or SK-II?

CeraVe is more affordable than SK-II, as CeraVe does better for value and pricing among the products on this page.

Which brand provides better brightening and radiance, CeraVe or SK-II?

SK-II does better than CeraVe for brightening, radiance, and glow. The products on this page from both brands do not contain fragrance.

CeraVe or SK-II for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level for oily skin. CeraVe offers products on this page with key ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide that help control oil and target acne.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High fit level for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. CeraVe offers fragrance-free moisturizers and gentle cleansers that help soothe the skin barrier.

CeraVe or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a Superior fit for acne-prone skin on this page, with CeraVe also noted for effective cleansers for acne and oil. Niacinamide in CeraVe products may help control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

CeraVe and SK-II both have a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin, but SK-II reaches a Superior fit level with specific products on this page like Genoptics Ultraura Essence.

CeraVe or SK-II for oily acne-prone skin?

For oily acne-prone skin, CeraVe is superior on Lovi compared to SK-II which is high, making CeraVe the stronger fit overall. CeraVe features key ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide that help regulate oil and manage blemishes effectively.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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