CeraVe vs Clinique
CeraVe and Clinique are American skincare brands that offer reliable daily formulas like moisturizers and serums. The former suits mature skin and dry skin best, while the latter serves dry skin and oily skin effectively. Both brands utilize key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, yet they differ because the latter also incorporates caffeine. Through careful design, each brand addresses specific concerns like acne-prone skin and dark spots.
CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.
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Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
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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
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
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.06
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Hydrating Toner
COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
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Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$37.33
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SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
S$21.09
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
-
Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.06
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning
S$18.47
-
Moisturizer
Skin Renewing Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.05
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
S$28.56
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
S$30.72
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
S$35.46
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
Buy Clinique routine · S$253.28 · 95% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · S$195.54 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
CeraVe vs Clinique routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
TROIAREUKE H+Cocktail Purifying Ampoule Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$168.51
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$13.55
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
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Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$18.47
-
Moisturizer
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$28.30
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
S$28.56
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
S$30.72
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
S$35.46
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Clinique routine · S$486.90 · 94% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · S$238.51 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
CeraVe vs Clinique routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich
Morning · Once a week
S$64.81
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$13.55
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$63.44
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$18.47
-
Moisturizer
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$31.02
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
S$28.56
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
S$30.72
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$28.62
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Clinique routine · S$382.80 · 94% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · S$262.69 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
CeraVe or Clinique: which is better?
CeraVe provides better value and hydration among the products on this page, while Clinique excels in makeup removal and application. Both brands offer fragrance-free and gentle formulas, but CeraVe is often praised for superior pricing.
What is the difference between CeraVe and Clinique?
CeraVe provides better hydration and value with ceramide-focused formulas, whereas Clinique excels in makeup removal and skin routines. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page.
CeraVe or Clinique for dry skin?
Both brands offer solid options for dry skin, with CeraVe providing products on this page that achieve High to Superior fit levels while Clinique routines reach a Superior routine fit. Reviewers note that CeraVe delivers better deep hydration, whereas Clinique is recognized for its hydrating moisturizers.
CeraVe or Clinique: which cleanser is better?
Both CeraVe and Clinique offer gentle and effective cleansers, but the products on this page show that CeraVe does better for value and pricing, whereas Clinique is noted for makeup removal and application.
Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clinique?
CeraVe is more affordable than Clinique, as the products on this page show CeraVe doing better for value and pricing.
Which brand has a wider selection of fragrance-free products, CeraVe or Clinique?
Both brands offer a fully fragrance-free selection across the products on this page. Every single product listed for both CeraVe and Clinique contains no fragrance in its ingredients.
How do CeraVe and Clinique compare in terms of packaging quality according to reviewers?
Reviewers note packaging complaints for Clinique, whereas packaging issues are sometimes noted for CeraVe.
Which brand performs better for makeup removal and application?
Clinique performs better for makeup removal and application compared to CeraVe among the products on this page.
CeraVe or Clinique for oily skin?
Both brands offer products for oily skin, with CeraVe providing options like its Foaming Facial Cleanser, which has a Superior Lovi fit level for oily skin. Reviewers note that CeraVe is better for value and pricing, whereas Clinique is noted for makeup removal and application.
CeraVe or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?
CeraVe offers better value and deeper hydration for moisturizers among the products on this page, while Clinique provides lighter, faster-absorbing textures. Reviewers find CeraVe superior for barrier-focused moisture and pricing, whereas Clinique excels in makeup removal and application.
CeraVe or Clinique for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both CeraVe and Clinique offer products on this page with a Lovi fit level of High. CeraVe formulas include ceramides and hyaluronic acid, while Clinique relies on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Both brands are fragrance-free across their entire range.
CeraVe or Clinique for acne-prone skin?
Both CeraVe and Clinique provide products on this page that fit acne-prone skin well, but reviewers note that CeraVe offers better value and pricing while Clinique may excel in specific makeup-removing and smoothing options.
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Algae extract protection effect on oxidized protein level in human stratum corneum
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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