Brandwave

CeraVe vs Neutrogena:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, CeraVe had more branded searches than Neutrogena among moisturizer brands worldwide. CeraVe had about 1.5 million branded searches, while Neutrogena had 935,000. CeraVe made up 16.7% of all moisturizer brand searches we track, and Neutrogena accounted for 10.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about moisturizer brands, CeraVe appeared in all four answers and Neutrogena in two. CeraVe was mentioned before Neutrogena in every answer.

Among moisturizer brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

CeraVe, about 60% more searches than Neutrogena

CeraVe 1.5M searchesNeutrogena 935K searches

Who does AI mention more?

CeraVe, mentioned in every answer we collected

CeraVe in 4 of 4Neutrogena in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

CeraVe, named ahead of Neutrogena in every answer

CeraVe first in 3Neutrogena never first

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Top moisturizer brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, CeraVe appeared in all four answers. Neutrogena was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. CeraVe was listed before Neutrogena in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. CeraVe1st
  2. La Roche-Posay2nd
  3. Cetaphil3rd
  4. Neutrogena4th
  5. Vanicream5th
  6. Kiehl's6th
  7. Clinique7th
  8. Nivea–
  9. Estée Lauder–
  10. Dermalogica–
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • La Roche-Posay4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • CeraVe4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Cetaphil2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Neutrogena2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Vanicream2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Clinique1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Kiehl's1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Nivea0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Estée Lauder0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Dermalogica0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about moisturizer brands

4 answers

Not named in any answer:

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 Neutrogena more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for CeraVe and Neutrogena by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 moisturizer brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

CeraVe and Neutrogena among moisturizer brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for CeraVe, Neutrogena. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthLa Roche-PosayCeraVeNiveaCetaphilNeutrogenaEstée LauderCliniqueKiehl'sDermalogicaVanicreamDrunk Elephant
Oct 202518.2%18.2%10.2%10%10.3%12.1%8.2%6.7%2.4%1.6%2%
Nov 202517.4%14.2%11.1%9.5%7.9%14.2%9.5%9.5%2.9%1.6%2.3%
Dec 202519.7%16.1%10.5%8.8%9.5%13.2%8.8%7.2%2.2%1.8%2.2%
Jan 202620.8%17%11.2%11.3%10%9.3%7.6%6.2%2.8%1.9%1.9%
Feb 202622.5%18.4%10.2%10%10.4%10%6.8%5.5%2.5%2%1.7%
Mar 202624.1%16.1%8.9%10.7%10.3%10.7%7.2%5.9%2.6%1.8%1.5%
Apr 202625%16.7%9.3%11.1%10.6%9.1%7.5%5%2.2%1.8%1.5%
May 202625.8%17.2%9.3%9.4%10.9%9.4%7.7%5.2%2.3%1.6%1.3%
Jun 202623.2%19%10%10.4%10.3%8.5%7%5.7%2.5%2.1%1.4%
Jul 202623%18.8%12.7%10.3%9.9%8.5%6.9%4.6%2.1%2.1%1.1%
Aug 202622.4%18.3%11.4%10%11.7%8.2%6.7%5.5%2.5%2%1.3%
Sep 202620.4%16.7%12.4%11.1%10.4%9.2%7.5%6.1%2.7%2.2%1.2%

How has the CeraVe and Neutrogena comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • CeraVe was ahead of Neutrogena in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CeraVe’s share of searches among moisturizer brands worldwide moved from 18.2% to 16.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.8M to 1.5M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Neutrogena’s share of searches among moisturizer brands worldwide moved from 10.3% to 10.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1M to 935K.

How did search popularity change for moisturizer brands worldwide in September 2026?

4 changes

  1. In September 2026, Nivea overtook Neutrogena to rank 3rd among moisturizer brands worldwide, with 12.4% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Cetaphil overtook Neutrogena to rank 4th among moisturizer brands worldwide, with 11.1% of the searches.

  3. In September 2026, CeraVe lost share of searches among moisturizer brands worldwide, from 18.3% to 16.7%.

  4. In September 2026, Neutrogena lost share of searches among moisturizer brands worldwide, from 11.7% to 10.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

5 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using CeraVe’s and Neutrogena’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.

CeraVe

1 branded search term

  • cerave

Neutrogena

4 branded search terms

  • neutrogena
  • neutrogena facial cleanser
  • neutrogena hydro boost
  • neutrogena suntan lotion

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among moisturizer brands

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