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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 dependable daily formulas and luxurious routines, respectively. The American line, founded in 2005, features moisturisers, gentle cleansers, targeted serums, and protective sunscreens enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Meanwhile, the Japanese house, established in 1980, is known for potent serums, soothing masks, refreshing toners, and signature pitera formulations. While both suit dry skin, the former also benefits mature skin through barrier support, whereas the latter delivers deep nourishment and a balanced complexion.

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 SK-II routine · S$606.78 · 93% fitBuy CeraVe routine · S$195.54 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$820.58 · 88% fitBuy CeraVe routine · S$238.51 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

CeraVe vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$716.48 · 89% fitBuy CeraVe routine · S$262.69 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or SK-II: which is better?

CeraVe and SK-II are both great, but CeraVe has a Superior fit for mature skin while SK-II has a Superior fit for dry sensitive skin. The products on this page help provide deep hydration and gentle care.

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. Lovi rates CeraVe as having a Superior routine fit for mature skin, and SK-II as having a Superior routine fit for dry sensitive skin.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

CeraVe or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both CeraVe and SK-II have a routine fit level of High, while SK-II achieves a Superior fit level. CeraVe features fragrance-free moisturizers with key ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help maintain moisture and support barrier repair.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe offers lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers with superior healing and texture, while SK-II provides moisturizers with Pitera that focus on brightening, radiance, and glow.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or SK-II?

CeraVe is more affordable than SK-II, as reviewers note that CeraVe does better for value and pricing.

Which brand uses Pitera as a key ingredient?

SK-II uses Pitera as a key ingredient across the products on this page.

CeraVe or SK-II for oily skin?

Both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High routine fit on Lovi for oily skin. The products on this page feature key ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, both brands do well, as Lovi rates CeraVe High and SK-II High. Reviewers note that CeraVe does better for fragrance and gentle formulas, while every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

CeraVe or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, CeraVe and SK-II both achieve a High routine fit level on Lovi. CeraVe does better for acne and oil control, and its products on this page help repair the skin barrier with ceramides.

CeraVe or SK-II for mature skin?

For mature skin, CeraVe achieves a Superior routine fit, whereas SK-II reaches a High routine fit. CeraVe offers products like the Skin Renewing Night Cream that help address the signs of aging with key ingredients such as ceramides.

CeraVe or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, both CeraVe and SK-II achieve a High routine fit level on Lovi. CeraVe features products on the page with ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation, while SK-II utilizes its signature Pitera to support radiance.

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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