Clinique vs Estée Lauder
Clinique and Estée Lauder are American skincare brands owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. Clinique is widely loved for its thoughtful range of moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, eye products, and more, which incorporate hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine, suiting dry sensitive skin and oily skin best. Meanwhile, the brand is beloved for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, serums, eye products, cleansers, and more formulated with hydrating elements like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting mature skin and sensitive skin best. They differ as the former brand features caffeine for UV protection and fat prevention, whereas the latter focuses on peptide-power primers and advanced treatment lotions.
Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co
Estée Lauder is an American skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.com
This page compares some of the most popular Clinique and Estée Lauder products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Clinique vs Estée Lauder products
- moisture surge
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Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
CA$55.00
-
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
CA$61.00
-
All About Eyes
CA$82.00
-
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
CA$61.00
-
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
CA$145.00
-
Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
CA$59.00
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Clarifying Lotion 2
CA$30.00
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
- “The formula is incredibly hydrating and leaves my skin feeling smooth. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “texture is dreamy — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
- “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Texture Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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 quickly into the skin — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
Gentle and Suitable for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
- “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “doesn't dry out — Clinique all about clean”
- “doesn't strip the skin — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
Skin Texture Improvement 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”
- “skin feels like a baby's bottom — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
- “silky smooth — Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion”
Exfoliation and Cleansing Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “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 feels squeaky clean — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
- “Lathers well — Estée Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser”
Good Base for Makeup Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
- “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
- “doesn't pill — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
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”
- “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Unpleasant Scent or Strong Fragrance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
- “smells like plastic — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
- “Scent is too overpowering — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
Packaging Issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “Unhygienic tub — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “prefer a pump dispenser — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
- “lid is hard to open — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
Clinique vs Estée Lauder routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$46.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning
CA$107.00
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$156.00
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
CA$48.00
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
CA$29.99
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$38.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
CA$27.99
-
Moisturizer
Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$107.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
CA$38.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
CA$55.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
CA$145.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
Once a week
CA$59.00
Buy Estée Lauder routine · CA$386.99 · 76% fit
Buy Clinique routine · CA$469.99 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Clinique vs Estée Lauder routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$42.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$61.00
-
SPF
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60
Morning
CA$35.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
CA$55.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
CA$30.00
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector 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
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$46.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
CA$107.00
-
Moisturizer
Revitalizing Supreme+
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$156.00
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
CA$48.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
- Serum or Treatment Perfectionist Pro 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 Clinique routine · CA$386.05 · 78% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · CA$510.40 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Clinique vs Estée Lauder routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$38.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$61.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
CA$20.96
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
CA$55.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
CA$30.00
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector 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
-
Cleanser
Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$46.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Micro Essence Treatment Lotion
Morning · Once a week
CA$107.00
- Moisturizer Re-Nutriv Morning · Evening · Once a week
- SPF DayWear Moisturizer Morning
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion
Evening · Once a week
CA$48.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Advanced Night Repair
Evening · Once a week
CA$112.00
-
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
Buy Clinique routine · CA$322.06 · 75% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · CA$424.49 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Clinique or Estée Lauder: which is better?
Both brands offer strong options, but Estée Lauder generally provides deeper hydration and better results for acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots. Meanwhile, the products on this page from Clinique tend to be more affordable and are fragrance-free.
What is the difference between Clinique and Estée Lauder?
Clinique is better for lightweight textures and gentler formulas, whereas Estée Lauder delivers stronger hydration. Both brands offer products with hyaluronic acid, which helps with skin moisture and barrier support.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Clinique or Estée Lauder for dry skin?
For dry skin, Estée Lauder provides a High routine fit while Clinique offers an Average routine fit. Reviewers mention that Estée Lauder excels in deep hydration, and every product on the Clinique page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.
Clinique or Estée Lauder: which cleanser is better?
Clinique is better for cleansers on the products on this page, as it is noted for gentle and effective cleansers and winning in exfoliation and cleansing.
Which is more affordable, Clinique or Estée Lauder?
Reviewers note a high price point for both Clinique and Estée Lauder, meaning neither brand is clearly more affordable than the other.
Which brand has fragrance-free products, Clinique or Estée Lauder?
Both brands offer fragrance-free products on the products on this page, as every Clinique product lists no fragrance in its ingredients, while 12 of 14 Estée Lauder products are also fragrance-free.
Clinique or Estée Lauder for oily skin?
Both Clinique and Estée Lauder offer products on this page that provide a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Clinique excels at lightweight and fast-absorbing textures, while Estée Lauder delivers deep hydration.
Clinique or Estée Lauder: which moisturizer is better?
When it comes to moisturizers, both brands offer quality options, but Estée Lauder is better for dry, mature, and sensitive skin with a High routine fit, while Clinique's products on this page are entirely fragrance-free. Clinique is also noted for its lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers, whereas Estée Lauder excels in providing deep hydration.
Clinique or Estée Lauder for sensitive skin?
Both Clinique and Estée Lauder offer products that are well suited for sensitive skin, with Estée Lauder achieving a High routine fit and Clinique featuring fragrance-free options across the products on this page.
Clinique or Estée Lauder for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, Estée Lauder is the better choice because Estée Lauder has a High routine fit level, while Clinique has an Average routine fit level.
Clinique or Estée Lauder for mature skin?
Both Clinique and Estée Lauder are well-suited for mature skin, as Lovi rates the routine fit for this skin type as High for each brand. Clinique features lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers, while Estée Lauder offers deep hydration and anti-aging benefits.
Clinique or Estée Lauder for dry sensitive skin?
Both brands offer a High Lovi fit for dry sensitive skin. Estée Lauder may provide deeper hydration, while Clinique is fragrance-free across all the products on this page.
Research behind their key ingredients
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Chrysin protects epidermal keratinocytes from UVA- and UVB-induced damage
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
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Algae extract protection effect on oxidized protein level in human stratum corneum
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
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.
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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
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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