Clarins vs Shiseido
Clarins and Shiseido are esteemed heritage skincare houses offering luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, and gentle daily essentials enriched with nourishing shea, hydrating squalane, and glycerin. The French brand is loved for its soothing eye products and gentle toners, while the Japanese house is beloved for its thoughtful array of cleansers and sunscreens. Both suit sensitive and mature skin best, though they differ through distinct formulations designed to address specific concerns like dark spots and acne-prone skin.
Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).
groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com
Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.
corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com
This page compares some of the most popular Clarins and Shiseido products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Clarins vs Shiseido products
People Say
Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
Luxurious and lightweight texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
- “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
Anti-aging and firming results Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
- “makes skin silky smooth — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
- “Smoothed out crow's feet — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
Visible awakening and radiance effect Often MentionedOften 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”
- “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “faded pimple marks — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
Pleasant scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “smells luxurious — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “smells luxurious — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
- “Pleasant floral fragrance, relaxing, luxurious smell. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “spa-like scent, high-quality packaging, little goes a long way — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
Excellent makeup base Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “concealer glides on smoothly — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
- “Perfect primer for any foundation, which all glide on smoothly. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
- “concealer sits better — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “Great base for makeup — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
High price point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
- “too expensive for results — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
- “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
- “Expensive, pricey, high cost for the amount. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
Strong fragrance and scent issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
- “Smell was very off putting — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
- “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
- “Strong scent, alcohol smell, potential irritation for sensitive skin. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
Pump and bottle design issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “heavy to travel — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
- “Heavy bottle but plastic pump, cannot see remaining product, straw too short to get last drops. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
- “heavy jar, waste of plastic, faulty pump (on dispenser versions) — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
- “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
Skin irritation and breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
- “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “Caused some irritation — Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream”
- “Caused burning and redness — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
Clarins vs Shiseido routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$48.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning
CA$49.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$56.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$49.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask
Once a week
CA$92.00
-
Cleanser
Clarifying Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
Morning
CA$113.00
-
Moisturizer
Essential Energy Hydrating Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$49.99
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
CA$17.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
CA$205.00
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
Buy Clarins routine · CA$332.00 · 77% fit
Buy Shiseido routine · CA$185.97 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Clarins vs Shiseido routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
Morning · Once a week
CA$113.00
-
Moisturizer
Essential Energy Hydrating Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$49.99
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
CA$205.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$48.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
CA$49.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$113.00
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$49.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
CA$49.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
Buy Shiseido routine · CA$313.33 · 84% fit
Buy Clarins routine · CA$468.45 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Clarins vs Shiseido routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Eudermine Revitalizing Essence
Morning · Once a week
CA$113.00
-
Moisturizer
Essential Energy Hydrating Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$49.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$23.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Evening · Once a week
CA$205.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$48.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
CA$49.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$113.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$49.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
CA$49.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
CA$50.00
Buy Shiseido routine · CA$256.43 · 83% fit
Buy Clarins routine · CA$408.46 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Clarins or Shiseido: which is better?
Clarins is better for anti-aging and dry skin, while Shiseido is better for oily and acne-prone skin. Both brands offer high routine fit for sensitive skin, mature skin, skin with dark spots, and dry sensitive skin.
What is the difference between Clarins and Shiseido?
Clarins fits dry skin at a High level and Shiseido at an Average level, while Shiseido fits oily and acne-prone skin at a High level and Clarins at an Average level. Topical sodium hyaluronate helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.
Clarins or Shiseido for dry skin?
Clarins fits dry skin better than Shiseido, as Lovi rates Clarins as High for dry skin routines while Shiseido is Average. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in the products on this page, helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.
Clarins or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?
Shiseido is better for deep-cleansing and efficient cleansers compared to Clarins. Lovi rates Shiseido cleansers like Deep Cleansing Foam as a High fit for oily skin, whereas Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser is an Average fit.
Which is more affordable, Clarins or Shiseido?
Both Clarins and Shiseido have a high price point among the products on this page, so neither brand is more affordable.
Clarins or Shiseido for oily skin?
Shiseido is better for oily skin, as Lovi rates Shiseido's routine fit for oily skin as High while Clarins is rated Average.
Clarins or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?
Clarins offers the products on this page with better anti-aging and firming results, while Shiseido provides better deep hydration and moisture in its moisturizers.
Clarins or Shiseido for sensitive skin?
Both Clarins and Shiseido offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin among the products on this page. Topical use of dexpanthenol helps support skin barrier health in sensitive skin conditions.
Clarins or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?
Shiseido is the better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type, compared to Clarins which achieves an Average fit level.
Clarins or Shiseido for mature skin?
Both Clarins and Shiseido offer a High routine fit for mature skin. Reviewers note that Clarins does better for anti-aging and firming results.
Clarins or Shiseido for skin with dark spots?
Both brands are a High fit for skin with dark spots on Lovi. Clarins excels in anti-aging results, while Shiseido provides deep hydration.
Clarins or Shiseido for dry sensitive skin?
Clarins fits dry sensitive skin with a High level, whereas Shiseido fits dry sensitive skin with a High level. Both brands offer soothing properties for this skin type, though Lovi rates Clarins with a High fit across its dry sensitive routine.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Psychophysical study of the effects of topical application of menthol in healthy volunteers
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
Panax ginseng induces human Type I collagen synthesis through activation of Smad signaling
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice
Colloidal Oatmeal <em>(Avena Sativa)</em> Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity
Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Anatomical site differences of sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation: randomized controlled trial
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
Modulating effects of oatmeal extracts in the sodium lauryl sulfate skin irritancy model
Moisturizing effect of stable cream containing Crocus sativus extracts
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Transdermal Delivery of Baicalin Based on Bio-Vesicles and Its Efficacy in Antiaging of the Skin
Liposomal formulation of a vitamin C derivative: a promising strategy to increase skin permeability
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
New Chalcone-Derived Molecule for the Topical Regulation of Hyperpigmentation and Skin Aging
Microcirculation-Promoting Effect of Escin on Cutaneous Tissue via Gsk3β Down-Regulation
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
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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