CeraVe vs Vanicream:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, CeraVe had more branded searches than Vanicream among face wash brands worldwide. CeraVe had about 1.5 million branded searches, while Vanicream had 201,000. CeraVe made up 24.8% of all face wash brand searches we track, and Vanicream accounted for 3.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about face wash brands, CeraVe appeared in all five answers and Vanicream in three. CeraVe was mentioned before Vanicream in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
CeraVe, about 7 searches for every 1 for Vanicream
Who does AI mention more?
CeraVe, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
CeraVe, named ahead of Vanicream in every answer
Follow CeraVe vs Vanicream and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top face wash brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, CeraVe appeared in all five answers. Vanicream was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. CeraVe was listed before Vanicream in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
CeraVe1st
Cetaphil2nd
La Roche-Posay3rd
Vanicream4th
Neutrogena5th
Simple6th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
La Roche-Posay5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
CeraVe5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Cetaphil5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Vanicream3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Neutrogena2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Simple2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about face wash brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which face wash brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best face wash brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best face wash brand for daily skincare?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best face wash”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“gentle face wash”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is CeraVe or Vanicream more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for CeraVe and Vanicream by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six face wash brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for CeraVe, Vanicream. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | La Roche-Posay | CeraVe | Cetaphil | Neutrogena | Simple | Vanicream |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 29.9% | 29.9% | 16.3% | 16.9% | 4.3% | 2.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 32.8% | 26.8% | 17.9% | 14.9% | 4.8% | 2.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.6% | 27.4% | 15% | 16.2% | 4.8% | 3% |
| Jan 2026 | 32.5% | 26.5% | 17.7% | 15.7% | 4.7% | 2.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 33.8% | 27.6% | 15.1% | 15.6% | 4.9% | 3% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.6% | 24.4% | 16.3% | 15.7% | 4.3% | 2.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 36.3% | 24.3% | 16.2% | 15.3% | 5.2% | 2.7% |
| May 2026 | 37.6% | 25.1% | 13.7% | 15.9% | 5.4% | 2.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 33.7% | 27.5% | 15% | 14.9% | 5.8% | 3% |
| Jul 2026 | 33.4% | 27.3% | 14.9% | 14.3% | 7% | 3% |
| Aug 2026 | 32.4% | 26.4% | 14.5% | 17% | 6.9% | 2.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 30.3% | 24.8% | 16.6% | 15.5% | 9.5% | 3.3% |
How has the CeraVe and Vanicream comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- CeraVe was ahead of Vanicream in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CeraVe’s share of searches among face wash brands worldwide moved from 29.9% to 24.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.8M to 1.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vanicream’s share of searches among face wash brands worldwide moved from 2.7% to 3.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 201K.
How did search popularity change for face wash brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, CeraVe lost share of searches among face wash brands worldwide, from 26.4% to 24.8%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Vanicream worldwide rose 21.8% over 12 measured months, from 165K to 201K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using CeraVe’s and Vanicream’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among face wash brands

Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.