Neutrogena vs Clinique
Neutrogena and Clinique are American skincare brands offering trusted moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, toners, serums, makeup removers, and eye products formulated with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, dimethicone, and caffeine. Neutrogena suits sensitive skin and mature skin best through gentle components like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone, while Clinique suits sensitive skin and dry skin best using hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine. Both brands differ in their founding years, corporate parentage, and specific standalone product lineups for targeted care.
Neutrogena is an American skincare brand founded in 1930 and owned by Kimberly-Clark Corporation since 2026.
investor.kimberly-clark.comen.wikipedia.orginvestors.kenvue.com
Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co
This page compares some of the most popular Neutrogena and Clinique products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Neutrogena vs Clinique products
People Say
Fragrance-Free and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “leaves skin soft and balanced — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
- “love that it has no scent — Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser”
- “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
Lightweight and Non-Greasy Texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Absorbs instantly without sticky residue — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
- “absorbs instantly — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
- “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
- “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
Intense Hydration and Moisturizing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Skin looked plumper and radiant — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
- “It also hydrates my skin. This cream has been so easy to add to my routine. — Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream”
- “Quenches dry skin instantly — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
- “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
Makeup Compatibility and Base Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “dissolves stubborn waterproof mascara — Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover”
- “Foundation glides right over it — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
- “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
Texture Improvement and Anti-Aging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
- “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
- “You will see the dirt with one wipe — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
- “Skin is looking smoother — Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream”
Cooling Sensation and Soothing Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “keeps the redness at bay — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
- “cools the heat in my cheeks — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
- “no stinging — Clinique moisture surge”
- “Feels amazing and cold on the skin — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask”
Price vs. Quantity and Value Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Jar is too small for the price — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
- “Runs out quickly — Neutrogena HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM”
- “Tube is tiny for the cost — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
- “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
Strong Scent and Fragrance Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “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+”
- “Smell is too overpowering and lingering — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
Insufficient Hydration and Moisture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Not moisturizing enough for winter months — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel”
- “Not rich enough for very dry mature skin — Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream”
- “not rich enough — Neutrogena COLLAGEN BANK Moisturizer”
- “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
Skin Irritation and Burning Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “Face stung and became red — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
- “burned my face — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
- “burns my eyes terribly — Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen”
Neutrogena vs Clinique routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Hydro Boost Water Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$18.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Alcohol-Free Toner
Morning
A$8.49
-
Moisturizer
Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$18.99
-
SPF
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen
Morning
A$12.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
HYDRO BOOST WATER CREAM
Evening · Once a week
A$18.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$16.95
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask
Once a week
A$4.49
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$46.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
A$23.99
- Moisturizer moisture surge Morning · Evening · Once a week
-
SPF
Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Fluide SPF50+
Morning
A$24.49
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$56.98
-
Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$149.95
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
A$28.48
Buy Neutrogena routine · A$116.40 · 81% fit
Buy Clinique routine · A$365.39 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Neutrogena vs Clinique routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Hydro Boost Water Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$18.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Alcohol-Free Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$8.49
-
Moisturizer
Hydro Boost+ Niacinamide Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$22.49
-
SPF
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen
Morning
A$12.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
A$10.49
-
Cleansing Toner
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
Evening
A$75.95
-
Serum or Treatment
Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$16.95
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask
Once a week
A$42.95
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$46.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$34.66
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$83.95
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
A$27.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$56.98
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
A$87.00
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy Neutrogena routine · A$244.80 · 75% fit
Buy Clinique routine · A$490.43 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Neutrogena vs Clinique routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Hydro Boost Water Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$18.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Alcohol-Free Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$8.49
-
Moisturizer
Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$18.99
-
SPF
Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen
Morning
A$12.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
A$10.49
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
A$29.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Beauty of Joseon Propolis + Niacinamide Glow Serum
Evening · Once a week
A$16.95
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask
Once a week
A$42.95
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$46.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
A$42.00
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
A$83.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
A$56.98
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
A$87.00
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
A$35.50
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
A$118.35
Buy Neutrogena routine · A$195.25 · 80% fit
Buy Clinique routine · A$469.78 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 95% fit
Questions and answers
Neutrogena or Clinique: which is better?
Neutrogena is the better-performing choice overall on the products on this page, achieving a High fit level across almost all skin types compared to Clinique. Both brands feature helpful ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to support skin hydration.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
What is the difference between Neutrogena and Clinique?
Neutrogena and Clinique are both American skincare brands founded in the 1960s or earlier, but Neutrogena achieves better Lovi fit levels across most skin types on these pages, including combination, acne-prone, and mature skin. Clinique products on this page are entirely fragrance-free, whereas a few Neutrogena items include fragrance.
Neutrogena or Clinique for dry skin?
Both Neutrogena and Clinique provide a High fit for dry skin through the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps bind moisture to dry skin, while glycerin draws hydration in.
Neutrogena or Clinique: which cleanser is better?
Neutrogena has a better fit for cleansers on the products on this page, offering Superior and High fit levels across multiple skin types compared to Clinique. Clinique cleansers may present more irritation risks for certain skin types, such as warnings for dry and sensitive skin.
Which is more affordable, Neutrogena or Clinique?
Neutrogena is more affordable than Clinique, as the products on this page show better value and fewer price-related concerns.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Neutrogena or Clinique?
Clinique has more fragrance-free products on the products on this page, as every single Clinique product lists no fragrance. In contrast, Neutrogena has 35 out of 39 products on this page that are fragrance-free.
Neutrogena or Clinique for oily skin?
Neutrogena has a High routine fit for oily skin, whereas Clinique also has a High routine fit for oily skin, making both brands equal for this skin type.
Neutrogena or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?
Neutrogena provides intense hydration, whereas the moisturizers on this page from Clinique offer more texture improvement and anti-aging benefits.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Neutrogena or Clinique for sensitive skin?
Both Neutrogena and Clinique fit sensitive skin at a High level on this page. Reviewers report that both brands offer fragrance-free and gentle formulas.
Neutrogena or Clinique for acne-prone skin?
Neutrogena is a better fit for acne-prone skin on this page, achieving a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit level.
Neutrogena or Clinique for mature skin?
Neutrogena is a better fit for mature skin, achieving a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit level on this page. Ingredients like retinol help improve the appearance of aging skin.
Neutrogena or Clinique for skin with dark spots?
Neutrogena is a better fit for skin with dark spots, achieving a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit level on this page. Ingredients like niacinamide help reduce cutaneous pigmentation.
Research behind their key ingredients
Final report on the safety assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Anti-inflammatory activity of parthenolide-depleted Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Evaluation of moisturizing and irritation potential of sacha inchi oil
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Solid lipid nanoparticles bearing oxybenzone: in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Algae extract protection effect on oxidized protein level in human stratum corneum
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Natural Moisturizing Factor-Enriched Formulations Compared to a Ceramide-Based Cream
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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