CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay
CeraVe and La Roche-Posay are respected skincare brands owned by L'Oréal. The American brand is known for moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens featuring hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting acne-prone skin and dry skin best. Meanwhile, the French brand is loved for serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and eye products featuring nourishing glycerin, soothing thermal water, and brightening niacinamide, suiting skin with dark spots and mature skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their distinct ingredient profiles and targeted formulations for specific skin concerns.
CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.
en.wikipedia.orghappi.comloreal-finance.comcerave.com
La Roche-Posay is a French skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1989.
laroche-posay.com.aufr.wikipedia.org
This page compares some of the most popular CeraVe and La Roche-Posay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay products
People Say
Skin Sensitivities and Gentleness Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
- “Great retinol for beginners — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
- “Only cream that doesn't sting — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “absorbs instantly — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “skin feels plump — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
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”
- “lightweight and absorbs quickly — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “absorbs in seconds — La Roche-Posay Anthelios”
Texture Improvement and Brightening Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
- “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
- “skin looks brighter — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “visibly fades appearance of stubborn marks — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
Skin Barrier and Healing Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “healed cracked hands — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
- “Helped repair my moisture barrier — CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion”
- “Saved my damaged barrier — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+”
- “Healed my surgery scar beautifully — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5”
Acne and Oil Control Sometimes NotedSometimes 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”
- “clears acne blemishes — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser”
Packaging Issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “tube splitting at seams — CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum”
- “pump stops working — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “Pump stopped working halfway — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
Texture Issues and Greasiness Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
- “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “Very sticky — La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum”
Burning, Stinging, and Irritation Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Stung my raw skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “burns my damaged skin — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “burns my eyes — La Roche-Posay Anthelios”
- “burned my face — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
Breakouts and Purging Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “Triggered cystic acne — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+”
- “caused bad purging — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser”
- “clogged my pores — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
- “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£8.29
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
£11.49
-
Moisturizer
Skin Renewing Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£23.90
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
£11.65
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
£10.80
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
£19.29
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
£17.00
- Cleanser Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
£11.49
-
Moisturizer
Pure Vitamin C Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£34.50
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
£16.79
-
Pre-Cleanser
Respectissime Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
£12.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
£15.91
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
£17.00
Buy CeraVe routine · £78.52 · 89% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · £73.19 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£8.29
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
£13.98
-
Moisturizer
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£11.29
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
£11.65
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
£10.80
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
£29.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum
Evening · Once a week
£19.98
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
£61.99
-
Cleanser
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£17.60
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
£13.98
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£20.79
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
£16.79
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
£13.19
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
£29.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
£15.91
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
£18.50
Buy CeraVe routine · £185.98 · 84% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · £164.76 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
CeraVe vs La Roche-Posay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£8.29
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
£30.37
-
Moisturizer
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£15.70
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
£11.65
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
£10.80
-
Cleansing Toner
REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
Evening
£30.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
£15.64
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleanser
MELA B3 Facial Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£17.60
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
£30.37
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£20.79
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
£16.79
-
Pre-Cleanser
Respectissime Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
£12.00
-
Cleansing Toner
REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
Evening
£30.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
£15.91
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
£18.50
Buy CeraVe routine · £145.74 · 87% fit
Buy La Roche-Posay routine · £181.95 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay: which is better?
CeraVe has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin, while La Roche-Posay has a Superior routine fit for skin with dark spots. Both brands are equal in their routine fit for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin.
What is the difference between CeraVe and La Roche-Posay?
CeraVe has a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin, while La Roche-Posay has a Superior fit level for skin with dark spots. Additionally, every product on the CeraVe page is fragrance-free, whereas 14 of the 35 products on the La Roche-Posay page list added fragrance.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for dry skin?
For dry skin, both CeraVe and La Roche-Posay offer a High routine fit on the products on this page. CeraVe features fragrance-free formulas with ceramide-dominant barrier repair lipids that help alleviate dryness, while La Roche-Posay provides equally hydrating options with ingredients like glycerin and thermal water.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay: which cleanser is better?
CeraVe has a Superior fit for acne-prone and oily skin cleansers, while La Roche-Posay cleansers are also rated High for these skin types. Reviewers note that CeraVe offers effective cleansers for acne and oil alongside gentle, non-stripping formulas, whereas La Roche-Posay cleansers match equal levels in gentleness and hydration.
Which is more affordable, CeraVe or La Roche-Posay?
The provided page facts do not mention the prices of CeraVe and La Roche-Posay products, though reviewers note that La Roche-Posay has price, value, and size concerns.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for acne and oil control?
For acne and oil control, CeraVe is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to La Roche-Posay's High level. Reviewers also note that CeraVe does better with acne and oil control.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for dark spots?
For dark spots, La Roche-Posay has a Superior routine fit, while CeraVe offers a High fit. Niacinamide may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.
Which brand contains fragrance in some of its products?
La Roche-Posay contains fragrance in some of its products, as 21 of the 35 products on this page list no fragrance while 14 include it. In contrast, every product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for oily skin?
Both CeraVe and La Roche-Posay offer a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page from CeraVe are particularly effective for acne and oil control, while La Roche-Posay provides lightweight and hydrating moisturizers.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay: which moisturizer is better?
CeraVe has a Superior fit level for moisturizers like its PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion and Skin Renewing Night Cream, while La Roche-Posay features Superior options like Pure Vitamin C Cream. Both brands offer high-performing moisturizers, though CeraVe is fragrance-free across all products on this page compared to La Roche-Posay's fragranced formulas.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for sensitive skin?
Both brands achieve a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin, and every product on the CeraVe page is fragrance-free. La Roche-Posay also offers many fragrance-free options, though 14 of its 35 products on this page list fragrance.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay: which sunscreen is better?
La Roche-Posay provides a sunscreen with a Superior Lovi fit level for skin with dark spots, sensitive skin, combination skin, acne-prone skin, and mature skin. CeraVe also offers sunscreens with high fit levels, but La Roche-Posay reaches a Superior fit across a broader range of skin types on this page.
CeraVe or La Roche-Posay for acne-prone skin?
CeraVe is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for La Roche-Posay.
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
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Ethosomes of Phenylethyl Resorcinol as Vesicular Delivery System for Skin Lightening Applications
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
A Bayesian network meta-analysis of 14 molecules inhibiting UV daylight-induced pigmentation
Amino acid complex (AAComplex) benefits in cosmetic products: In vitro and in vivo clinical studies
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Effects of an ultraviolet B radiation absorber on photocarcinogenesis in hairless albino mice
In vitro analysis of immunoprotective effects of topical 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
-

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
-

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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