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Clarins vs SK-II

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

Clarins and SK-II are established luxury skincare houses founded in France and Japan respectively, offering sophisticated moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, and balancing toners. The French brand relies on nourishing shea and hydrating squalane to suit sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin, while the Japanese brand elevates its formulations with signature pitera to care for acne-prone skin and dry sensitive skin. Through regular application, the first brand utilizes shea butter to reduce redness and squalane to increase collagen, whereas both help restore balance and refine the complexion. Choosing between them ultimately depends on whether one prefers the soothing botanicals of the 1954 European creator or the transformative fermented essence of the 1980 Asian pioneer.

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clarins vs SK-II products

People Say

ClarinsSK-II
  • Hydration and Radiance Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • High Price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “too expensive for results — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “very expensive — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Clarins vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,470.10 · 82% fitBuy Clarins routine · AED 1,301.95 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clarins vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,468.63 · 88% fitBuy Clarins routine · AED 1,305.87 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clarins vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · AED 2,424.45 · 88% fitBuy Clarins routine · AED 1,132.10 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clarins or SK-II: which is better?

SK-II may be better for dry, oily, and acne-prone skin because Lovi rates its routines higher for those skin types than Clarins.

What is the difference between Clarins and SK-II?

Clarins is known for luxurious textures and hydrating moisturizers with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, whereas SK-II relies entirely on Pitera and features fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page. For dry skin routines, Lovi rates SK-II as a High fit compared to Clarins at an Average level.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Clarins or SK-II for dry skin?

SK-II is the better choice for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Clarins at Average. Both brands provide hydrating options, though SK-II products on this page avoid fragrance entirely, whereas almost all Clarins products list fragrance.

Clarins or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II fits dry skin and oily skin better than Clarins, as Lovi rates SK-II moisturizers as High for these skin types compared to Clarins' Average. SK-II's moisturizers are fragrance-free, whereas almost all Clarins moisturizers on this page contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Clarins or SK-II?

SK-II is more affordable because reviewers mention high price points as a negative for the products on this page by Clarins.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, Clarins or SK-II?

SK-II offers fragrance-free products across its entire range on this page, whereas almost all Clarins products list fragrance.

Clarins or SK-II for oily skin?

SK-II is the better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High while Clarins is Average. SK-II also features a fragrance-free formulation across the products on this page.

Clarins or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Clarins and SK-II are a High fit for sensitive skin. The products on this page for both brands offer good options, though Clarins features ingredients like hyaluronic acid which helps hydrate the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

SK-II has a superior fit for acne-prone skin on Lovi, whereas Clarins has a high fit. Both brands offer good options, but SK-II tends to be a better match for this skin type.

Clarins or SK-II for mature skin?

Both Clarins and SK-II offer a High Lovi fit for mature skin, with specific products like the Extra-Firming Day Cream and Facial Treatment Essence achieving high effectiveness. While Clarins features luxurious textures and hydrating moisturizers, it carries a higher price point and frequent fragrance compared to SK-II's fragrance-free formulas.

Clarins or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

Lovi shows that Clarins and SK-II are both a High fit for dry sensitive skin. Clarins features hydrating moisturizers and nourishing oils, while SK-II offers fragrance-free formulas centered around Pitera.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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