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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 esteemed skincare brands from France and Japan that offer luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, and soothing toners. The French brand relies on nourishing shea and hydrating squalane to suit sensitive and dry sensitive skin, whereas SK-II anchors its nourishing formulations in signature pitera to best suit dry and combination skin. While both houses provide standout treatments for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature concerns, they differ through their distinct heritage and active ingredients.

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 · CA$783.50 · 93% fitBuy Clarins routine · CA$332.00 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clarins vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,101.33 · 91% fitBuy Clarins routine · CA$468.45 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clarins vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · CA$1,065.33 · 93% fitBuy Clarins routine · CA$408.46 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clarins or SK-II: which is better?

SK-II is generally better than Clarins for dry, oily, combination, acne-prone, and dry sensitive skin because its routines achieve a Superior fit level for those skin types, whereas the products on this page for Clarins achieve an Average fit level.

What is the difference between Clarins and SK-II?

Clarins is a French brand founded in 1954 featuring mostly fragranced products with key ingredients like shea butter and squalane, whereas SK-II is a Japanese brand established in 1980 that offers fragrance-free products centered around Pitera. Reviewers note that Clarins has a higher price point, while Lovi shows that SK-II generally achieves superior routine fit levels for dry, oily, and combination skin types.

Clarins or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, both brands work well, but SK-II has a superior routine fit compared to Clarins' high fit. The products on this page from SK-II rely on Pitera, while Clarins offers options like Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream with hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

SK-II has superior moisturizer fit levels for dry, combination, and oily skin compared to Clarins. Lovi rates SK-II as Superior and Clarins as Average for dry, oily, and combination skin types.

Which is more affordable, Clarins or SK-II?

Reviewers note that high price point is a drawback for Clarins among the products on this page, whereas this is not highlighted for SK-II.

Clarins or SK-II: which brand offers products with fragrance?

Clarins offers products with fragrance on this page, as nearly all of its formulas list a fragrance, whereas every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance.

Clarins or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi finds that SK-II has a Superior fit, while Clarins has an Average fit.

Clarins or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both Clarins and SK-II are a High fit for sensitive skin according to Lovi. Clarins uses soothing ingredients like oat and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and calm the skin, though most of its products on this page contain added fragrance.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Lovi rates SK-II as Superior and Clarins as Average. SK-II features products like Facial Treatment Essence and Genoptics Ultraura Essence that help manage breakouts, whereas most Clarins products on this page list fragrance which may irritate sensitive skin.

Clarins or SK-II for mature skin?

Both brands are a High fit for mature skin on this page, with Total Eye Lift and Extra-Firming Day Cream being standout Clarins products for this skin type and Facial Treatment Essence being a top SK-II choice.

Clarins or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Both Clarins and SK-II offer products on this page that are a High fit for skin with dark spots. Lovi rates the routine fit for skin with dark spots as High for both brands.

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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