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CeraVe vs Clarins

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

CeraVe and Clarins are two distinct skincare lines known for addressing different complexions through specific formulations. CeraVe is an American brand celebrated for its hydrating cleansers and moisturizers featuring hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which suit acne-prone and dry skin best. Conversely, the French brand Clarins is favored for its luxurious serums and creams enriched with shea and squalane, making it ideal for sensitive skin. While both offer targeted treatments for various needs, they differ fundamentally in their ingredient profiles and sensory experiences.

CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.

en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

This page compares some of the most popular CeraVe and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular CeraVe vs Clarins products

People Say

CeraVeClarins
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks right into your skin — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Sinks in immediately — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Fragrance-free and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Deep 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 skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Improves skin texture, barrier, and acne Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “healed cracked hands — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
  • Luxurious skincare and glow Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “insane how cooling it is — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
  • High price point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive Vaseline — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “jar is tiny — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “dispenses too much — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance complaints Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like plastic — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts, irritation, or burning Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · £78.52 · 89% fitBuy Clarins routine · £170.89 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · £185.98 · 84% fitBuy Clarins routine · £249.57 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Clarins routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · £145.74 · 87% fitBuy Clarins routine · £201.99 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clarins: which is better?

CeraVe is generally better for a gentle, fragrance-free routine, while Clarins offers a more luxurious texture and glow. CeraVe achieves a superior fit level for acne-prone skin and an average or high fit across other skin types, whereas Clarins has a high fit for dry and sensitive skin.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clarins?

CeraVe stands out for its fragrance-free, ceramide-rich formulas that target barrier repair and acne, whereas Clarins offers a more luxurious sensory experience with botanical extracts and added fragrances. Both brands provide high routine fit for dry and sensitive skin, but CeraVe tends to be more affordable.

CeraVe or Clarins for dry skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins achieve a High routine fit for dry skin, offering deeply hydrating products tailored to moisture barrier care. CeraVe formulas on this page are fragrance-free and utilize ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which help restore skin hydration. Clarins formulations on this page frequently feature luxurious textures with ingredients like shea butter and squalane to nourish dry areas.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe is better for cleansers because its products on this page offer fragrance-free, gentle formulations that effectively cleanse while supporting skin health, whereas Clarins cleansers often contain added fragrance and receive more complaints about strong scents and irritation.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clarins?

CeraVe is more affordable than Clarins, as Clarins is frequently noted by reviewers for its high price point. CeraVe offers budget-friendly products, whereas Clarins is positioned as a luxury brand.

CeraVe or Clarins: which has fragrance-free products?

CeraVe has fragrance-free products, as every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Clarins for oily skin?

CeraVe fits oily skin better than Clarins, as Lovi rates CeraVe's routine fit as High compared to Clarins' Average. Reviewers also note that the products on this page by CeraVe provide lightweight, non-greasy textures and effective cleansers for oil.

CeraVe or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe is better for moisturizers because the products on this page are fragrance-free and offer superior healing and texture with deep hydration. CeraVe features a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clarins has a High routine fit for dry skin.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

CeraVe or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Clarins have a high routine fit for sensitive skin. CeraVe offers fragrance-free products on this page, while Clarins products on this page often contain fragrance.

CeraVe or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe fits acne-prone skin better, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Clarins' High fit. The products on this page help provide effective solutions for acne and oil control while maintaining a fragrance-free formulation.

CeraVe or Clarins for mature skin?

Both brands are a good choice for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for this skin type as High for both CeraVe and Clarins. CeraVe products on this page help restore the skin barrier using ceramides, while Clarins formulas often provide a more luxurious texture and radiance.

CeraVe or Clarins for combination skin?

For combination skin, CeraVe is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as High, compared to Average for Clarins. CeraVe also offers fragrance-free products on this page, which helps reduce the likelihood of irritation.

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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