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CeraVe vs Galderma

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

CeraVe and Galderma are skincare brands that offer reliable daily routines for various complexions. The American brand is known for moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens featuring hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while the Swiss brand focuses entirely on serums. Both brands suit acne-prone skin and dry skin best, though they differ through CeraVe using barrier-restoring ingredients and Galderma featuring targeted acne gels like Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC.

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

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

Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.org

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

Popular CeraVe vs Galderma products

People Say

CeraVeGalderma
  • Oil control and acne clearance Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
    • “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “dialed back oiliness — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Fragrance-free and gentle Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “No scent, no irritation — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
  • Fading marks and improving texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “scars are fading — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
    • “skin feels smooth — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Deep hydration Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • Value and affordability Often MentionedNot noted
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
  • Dryness and peeling Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Not moisturizing enough for winter — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Not enough for winter dryness — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “skin flaking off — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Burning, stinging, and skin irritation Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Face feels like it's on fire — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Breakouts, purging, and acne Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “caused horrible breakouts — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
  • Bleaching fabrics Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “bleached my towel — Galderma Benzac AC 5”
  • Packaging and design issues Often MentionedNot noted
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Galderma serums and treatments

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Galderma: which is better?

CeraVe is better for fragrance-free and gentle care, deep hydration, and lightweight textures, whereas Galderma is better for oil control and acne clearance.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Galderma?

CeraVe focuses on fragrance-free, gentle hydration and barrier repair with ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, whereas Galderma specializes in effective acne-clearing serums that may cause dryness and peeling.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Galderma?

CeraVe does better for value and affordability compared to Galderma.

Which causes fewer breakouts, CeraVe or Galderma?

CeraVe is better for avoiding breakouts, as Galderma reviewers frequently note severe dryness and peeling while CeraVe products on this page are rated Superior or High for acne-prone skin.

How do CeraVe and Galderma compare regarding oil control and acne clearance?

Galderma does better than CeraVe for oil control and acne clearance, though reviewers often note that Galderma products cause severe dryness and peeling.

Which brand offers better deep hydration and lightweight textures, CeraVe or Galderma?

CeraVe offers better deep hydration and lightweight textures among the products on this page, as reviewers mostly note its lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and often mention its deep hydration. Meanwhile, Galderma is primarily focused on acne-clearing serums and is associated with severe dryness and peeling.

What are the main drawbacks reported by reviewers for CeraVe versus Galderma?

Reviewers for CeraVe sometimes note issues like packaging problems and breakouts. In contrast, reviewers for Galderma report severe dryness and peeling as well as severe irritation and discomfort.

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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