🇬🇧United Kingdom

CeraVe vs Simple

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

CeraVe and Simple are, respectively, an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and a British skincare brand founded in 1960. The former is known for moisturizers, cleansers, serums, and sunscreens utilizing hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while the latter offers gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin. Both brands suit acne-prone skin, though the American brand excels for dry skin and the British brand addresses dark spots. Ultimately, they differ through their active ingredients and targeted formulations, such as the former featuring the Foaming Facial Cleanser and Skin Renewing Night Cream, and the latter offering the Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner and Micellar Cleansing Water.

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

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

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

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

Popular CeraVe vs Simple products

People Say

CeraVeSimple
  • Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • 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”
    • “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel 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”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Value and Affordability Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Gave me cystic acne — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
    • “gave me closed comedones — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Makeup Removal Difficulties Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “doesn't take off mascara — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
    • “doesn't remove mascara — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
    • “Did not remove my mascara very well at all. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Worried about the snap top bottle leaking when travelling. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The cap broke off immediately. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “hard to get last bit out — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”

CeraVe vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy CeraVe routine · £78.52 · 89% fitBuy Simple routine · £136.73 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · £221.50 · 87% fitBuy CeraVe routine · £185.98 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

CeraVe vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy CeraVe routine · £145.74 · 87% fitBuy Simple routine · £185.60 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

CeraVe or Simple: which is better?

CeraVe is better than Simple for acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to Simple's High. Both brands achieve equal Lovi routine fit levels for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, dark spot, dry sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin.

What is the difference between CeraVe and Simple?

CeraVe has a Superior fit for acne-prone skin while Simple has a High fit, and CeraVe offers better texture and absorption. Both brands provide fragrance-free formulas with equal fits for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature, dark spot, and dry sensitive skin types.

CeraVe or Simple for dry skin?

CeraVe and Simple both achieve a High routine fit for dry skin. The products on this page for both brands are fragrance-free.

CeraVe or Simple: which cleanser is better?

CeraVe cleanser options provide a Superior fit for several skin types on this page, whereas Simple cleansers generally show an Average fit or lower. CeraVe offers targeted solutions like the Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Foaming Facial Cleanser that are well-regarded for being gentle and effective.

Which is more affordable, CeraVe or Simple?

Simple does better for value and affordability among the products on this page.

Which brand offers better texture and absorption, CeraVe or Simple?

CeraVe does better than Simple for texture and absorption. Reviewers mostly mention CeraVe for its lightweight, non-greasy moisturizers and superior healing and texture in moisturizers.

CeraVe or Simple for oily skin?

CeraVe and Simple offer an equal High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that CeraVe provides effective cleansers for acne and oil, while Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

CeraVe or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

CeraVe provides a superior fit for texture and absorption in moisturizers, while Simple offers better value and affordability. Both brands feature fragrance-free options and equal hydration levels across the products on this page.

CeraVe or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that both brands provide a fragrance-free and gentle formula.

CeraVe or Simple for acne-prone skin?

CeraVe has a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, while Simple has a High fit level. CeraVe includes key ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide, which help target acne and blemishes effectively.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

CeraVe or Simple for mature skin?

Both CeraVe and Simple offer a High routine fit for mature skin. Reviewers often mention that the products on this page from CeraVe provide deep hydration and superior healing, while Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

CeraVe or Simple for skin with dark spots?

CeraVe has a High Lovi fit for skin with dark spots, and Simple also has a High Lovi fit for skin with dark spots. Both brands offer fragrance-free products on this page and contain niacinamide, which may help reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

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?

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