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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. Clinique provides moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, suiting dry sensitive and oily skin best. Elemis curates nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners anchored by glycerin and shea, aligning more naturally with mature and dry skin. While both utilize hydrating glycerin, the American brand incorporates caffeine for UV protection and wrinkle reduction, whereas the British brand relies on softening shea to reduce inflammation and relieve skin pruritus.

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 · CA$278.47 · 88% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$469.99 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Clinique routine · CA$386.05 · 78% fitBuy Elemis routine · CA$411.49 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Elemis routine · CA$369.58 · 77% fitBuy Clinique routine · CA$322.06 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Elemis: which is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin due to its fragrance-free formulas, whereas Elemis offers a superior fit for mature skin with its luxurious textures. Both brands provide excellent hydration, but Clinique is often preferred for lightweight absorption and makeup compatibility.

What is the difference between Clinique and Elemis?

Clinique is fragrance-free across the products on this page and tends to suit sensitive and oily skin well, whereas Elemis offers luxurious scented formulas that fit mature and dry skin at a superior level.

Clinique or Elemis for dry skin?

Elemis is a better fit for dry skin, where Lovi rates its routine as High compared to an Average fit for Clinique. The products on this page for Clinique list no fragrance, whereas 18 of 22 Elemis products list fragrance ingredients, which helps shoppers with sensitivities.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser as a High fit, compared to an average fit for the Elemis Superfood Facial Wash. Clinique products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, while Elemis cleansers may contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Elemis?

Both Clinique and Elemis have a high price point as a common drawback, so neither brand is notably more affordable than the other on this page.

Clinique or Elemis for oily skin?

Clinique is better for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Elemis at Average. Clinique also offers lightweight, oil-controlling moisturizers that reviewers frequently highlight.

Clinique or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both Clinique and Elemis offer hydrating moisturizers on this page, with Elemis achieving a Superior fit for mature skin and a High fit for dry skin. Clinique moisturizers on this page are fragrance-free, whereas most Elemis options feature added fragrance.

Clinique or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Elemis have a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Clinique is often preferred for its fragrance-free formulas, while Elemis is noted for occasional strong fragrances.

Clinique or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Elemis is a better fit for acne-prone skin, achieving a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average level. The products on this page for both brands feature key ingredients like glycerin, while Clinique also includes hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing caffeine.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

Clinique or Elemis for mature skin?

For mature skin, Elemis is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for Clinique. The products on this page for Clinique list no fragrance, whereas 18 of 22 products for Elemis contain fragrance.

Clinique or Elemis for dry sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Elemis have a High routine fit for dry sensitive skin. Elemis features hydrating moisturizers and a luxurious texture, while Clinique offers fragrance-free formulas with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help maintain skin moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis for skin with dark spots?

Elemis is a better fit for skin with dark spots, as the products on this page reach a High fit level for this concern compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

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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