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Clinique vs Clarins

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

Clinique and Clarins are distinguished skincare brands that offer thoughtfully formulated products for various complexions. The American pioneer is loved for its moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products relying on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, while the French creator provides luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners enriched with shea and squalane. Both brands suit sensitive and dry skin best because of their gentle formulations, though they differ in their heritage, specific ingredient profiles, and targeted treatments for concerns like acne, dark spots, and aging.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular Clinique vs Clarins products

People Say

CliniqueClarins
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Effective hydration Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Sensitive skin friendly Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “cools the heat in my cheeks — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Plumping and anti-aging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “Skin feels wonderfully moist and supple — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
    • “glass skin look — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Excellent makeup base Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “Perfect primer for any foundation, which all glide on smoothly. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
  • Morning glow and radiance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “skin looks brighter immediately — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “Gives off the most stunning natural radiance I've ever come across. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
    • “radiant youthful glow — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • High price point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Unpleasant or strong scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Pump and bottle design issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”

Clinique vs Clarins routines for dry skin

Buy Clarins routine · A$394.74 · 78% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$365.39 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs Clarins routines for oily skin

Buy Clinique routine · A$490.43 · 75% fitBuy Clarins routine · A$585.59 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs Clarins routines for combination skin

Buy Clinique routine · A$469.78 · 72% fitBuy Clarins routine · A$557.60 · 70% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Clarins: which is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin because every product on the page lists no fragrance, whereas Clarins is better for mature skin and provides more effective hydration.

What is the difference between Clinique and Clarins?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin and oily skin types, while Clarins is better for mature skin and skin with dark spots. Clarins offers effective hydration and glowing serums, whereas Clinique is known for lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizers.

Clinique or Clarins for dry skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins achieve a High Lovi fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Clinique relies on fragrance-free formulations with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while Clarins offers rich, hydrating textures that may feature added fragrance.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

Both Clinique and Clarins offer gentle and effective cleansers on the products on this page, but Clinique stands out as better for sensitive skin while Clarins features luxurious textures. Topical hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin hydration across the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Clarins?

Clinique has a high price point as a negative review point, while Clarins has a high price point mostly mentioned, but the page facts do not provide exact prices to definitively state which brand is more affordable.

Clinique or Clarins: which has fewer fragrance concerns?

Clinique has fewer fragrance concerns because every product on the products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas almost all Clarins products contain added fragrance.

Clinique or Clarins for oily skin?

Clinique is a better fit for oily skin, offering a High routine fit level compared to Clarins's Average level. The products on this page for Clinique include oil-controlling options like the For Men Oil-Free Moisturizer.

Clinique or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

Both Clinique and Clarins offer great moisturizers, with Clinique focusing on lightweight, oil-controlling options and Clarins providing luxurious, deeply hydrating formulas. Lovi rates both brands as having a High fit for dry skin and sensitive skin. Clarins products on this page often contain fragrance, whereas every Clinique product on this page lists no fragrance.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins achieve a High fit level for sensitive skin on Lovi. Clinique stands out for being fragrance-free across the products on this page, whereas almost all Clarins formulas contain fragrance.

Clinique or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins achieve an Average Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin, so neither brand stands out as superior for this skin type. Clinique formulates every product on this page without fragrance, which is helpful for sensitive skin, whereas Clarins incorporates fragrance in almost all of its products.

Clinique or Clarins for mature skin?

Clarins is better suited for mature skin compared to Clinique. Clarins features products on this page that achieve Superior fit levels for mature skin, such as the Extra-Firming Day Cream and Super Restorative Night Cream, whereas Clinique's products on this page generally reach an Average fit level for mature skin.

Clinique or Clarins for skin with dark spots?

Clarins is better for skin with dark spots because the products on this page achieve a higher fit level for this skin concern than Clinique does. Topical application of ingredients like vitamin E helps brighten the skin and improve overall radiance.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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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