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Clinique vs Elemis

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

Clinique and Elemis are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care, with the American label founded in 1968 and the British counterpart established in 1989. Clinique relies on key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine within its moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products to suit sensitive and dry skin best, whereas Elemis weaves together glycerin and shea across its nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners to serve dry and mature skin best. While both utilize glycerin to significantly increase hydration and restore barrier function, the former emphasizes gentle formulations for targeted concerns, and the latter is celebrated for deeply restorative qualities.

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

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Clinique vs Elemis products

People Say

CliniqueElemis
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Sensitivity and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “keeps the redness at bay — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Smoother Skin Texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby-soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Makeup Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Spa-Like or Pleasant Scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • 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”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “terrible spots — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “clogged my pores — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Strong Fragrance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

Clinique vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · A$549.28 · 91% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$365.39 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Elemis routine · A$653.08 · 80% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$490.43 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Elemis routine · A$720.04 · 82% fitBuy Clinique routine · A$469.78 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Elemis: which is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin due to its fragrance-free formulas, while Elemis offers a more luxurious texture and superior fit for mature skin. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in the products on this page, helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Clinique and Elemis?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin and makeup compatibility, whereas Elemis offers a spa-like scent and luxurious textures, though reviewers note that Elemis may sometimes cause breakouts. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration across the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis for dry skin?

For dry skin, Elemis is a Superior routine fit, whereas Clinique is High. Both brands feature hydrating moisturizers that help maintain moisture, and Hyaluronic acid helps improve overall skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin because its cleansers have a high Lovi fit level and are fragrance-free, whereas Elemis products on this page frequently include added fragrance. Clinique helps provide gentle and effective cleansing without triggering irritation.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Elemis?

Clinique has a lower price point than Elemis, though high price is a commonly mentioned drawback for both brands across the products on this page.

Clinique or Elemis: which brand has more fragrance-free products?

Clinique has more fragrance-free products, as every product on the page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In comparison, Elemis only features four fragrance-free products out of the twenty-two listed on the page.

Clinique or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Elemis fit oily skin well, with Lovi fit levels rated as High for the products on this page. Reviewers mention that Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while Elemis is noted for hydrating options.

Clinique or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Clinique is better for lightweight, fragrance-free hydration, while Elemis offers a more luxurious texture and superior results for mature skin. Both brands provide effective moisturizers, but Clinique features High fit levels for sensitive and oily skin, whereas Elemis routines are often rated Superior for dry and mature skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Clinique and Elemis both achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, but Clinique stands out for its gentleness and fragrance-free formulas across the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in Clinique products, helps improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Elemis is a better choice because Lovi rates its routine as High, whereas Clinique's routine is Average.

Clinique or Elemis for mature skin?

For mature skin, Elemis has a Superior routine fit while Clinique has an Average fit. Elemis features luxury textures and targeted anti-aging products that reviewers note help smooth skin texture.

Clinique or Elemis for skin with dark spots?

Elemis is a better fit for skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this concern compared to Clinique's average fit. Topical niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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