🇬🇧United Kingdom

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 known for thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, and cleansers that harness hydrating hyaluronic acid and nourishing glycerin. CeraVe suits acne-prone and dry skin best, while Clinique suits dry sensitive and oily skin best by also incorporating caffeine. Ultimately, the brands differ through their distinct formulations and ownership, with the former offering standalone cleansers and the latter providing specialized eye products.

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 · £78.52 · 89% fitBuy Clinique routine · £210.11 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for oily skin

Buy CeraVe routine · £185.98 · 84% fitBuy Clinique routine · £194.06 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Clinique routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · £145.74 · 87% fitBuy Clinique routine · £151.87 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Clinique: which is better?

CeraVe and Clinique both provide gentle formulas, but CeraVe achieves a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page compared to Clinique. CeraVe also offers better value and deeper hydration according to reviewers.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Clinique?

CeraVe generally achieves higher routine fit levels across more skin types on this page, including a superior fit for acne-prone skin, compared to Clinique. Reviewers also note that the products on this page provide better value and hydration from CeraVe, while Clinique excels particularly in makeup removal.

CeraVe or Clinique for dry skin?

CeraVe achieves a High Lovi fit level for dry skin, whereas Clinique reaches an Average level. The products on this page for CeraVe include key ingredients like ceramides, which help repair the skin barrier and alleviate dryness.

CeraVe or Clinique: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe offers better cleansers on this page, with multiple options achieving a Superior fit for acne-prone, oily, and dry sensitive skin types.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Clinique?

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

Which brand has better value and pricing?

CeraVe has better value and pricing compared to Clinique for the products on this page.

CeraVe or Clinique for oily skin?

Both brands offer a High Lovi fit for oily skin. CeraVe and Clinique provide oil-controlling and lightweight moisturizers that help balance oily complexions without feeling heavy.

CeraVe or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe has higher fit levels than Clinique for moisturizers across more skin types on this page, including a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, compared to Clinique's Average fit. Reviewers also note that CeraVe's moisturizers provide deep hydration and superior healing, helping deliver ceramides that support barrier repair.

CeraVe or Clinique for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique are well suited for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands with a High routine fit level for this skin type. The products on this page for both brands are fragrance-free and feature gentle formulas.

CeraVe or Clinique for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to an Average fit for Clinique. The products on this page help provide effective cleansers for acne and oil.

CeraVe or Clinique for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Clinique are good options for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for both brands as High. The products on this page provide reliable hydration and anti-aging benefits.

CeraVe or Clinique for skin with dark spots?

CeraVe provides a High Lovi fit for skin with dark spots, whereas Clinique offers an Average fit. The products on this page help improve skin clarity and target uneven pigmentation.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play