Dermalogica vs Clinique
Dermalogica and Clinique are American skincare brands known for their targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, gentle cleansers, purifying masks, and more, all formulated with powerful ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and salicylic acid. Dermalogica suits oily skin and combination skin best because its active formulations balance excess oil and moisture, while Clinique suits dry sensitive skin and oily skin best because of its comforting, balancing ingredients. Both brands differ in their founding eras and parent companies, yet each offers standout solutions for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin. Working beneath the surface, their shared ingredients lengthen the effect of anti-wrinkle toxin, improve hydration, restore barrier function, and reduce acne lesion counts.
Dermalogica is an American skincare brand founded in 1986 and owned by Unilever since 2015.
en.wikipedia.orgcosmeticsbusiness.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 Dermalogica and Clinique products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Dermalogica vs Clinique 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
-
Clarifying Lotion 2
CA$30.00
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “Saved my dry skin — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
- “blends seamlessly — Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50”
- “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
- “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
Makeup Compatibility and Removal Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Removes stubborn mascara — Dermalogica Precleanse”
- “eyelids look firmer and lifted — Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream”
- “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
Soothing and Calming Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “doesn't strip skin — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
- “helps calm and nourish my skin — Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream”
- “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “keeps the redness at bay — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
Skin Smoothing and Exfoliation Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “gentle enough for daily use — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
- “skin feels smooth as silk — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
- “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
- “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
High Price Point Mostly MentionedOften 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”
- “hefty price tag — Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant”
Skin Breakouts and Reactions Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Stings eyes — Dermalogica Precleanse”
- “burns immediately — Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque”
- “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
- “Face stung and became red — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
Greasiness and Heavy Texture Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Too thick for day — Dermalogica Super Rich Repair”
- “skin felt tight — Dermalogica Active Moist”
- “felt a bit dry — Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel”
- “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
Dermalogica vs Clinique routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Special Cleansing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$69.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
CA$27.99
-
Moisturizer
Stabilizing Repair Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$104.00
-
SPF
Invisible Physical Defense SPF30
Morning
CA$79.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Precleanse
Evening · Once a week
CA$77.00
-
Serum or Treatment
BioLumin-C Serum
Evening · Once a week
CA$59.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque
Once a week
CA$109.00
-
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 Dermalogica routine · CA$524.99 · 87% fit
Buy Clinique routine · CA$469.99 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Dermalogica vs Clinique routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Daily Glycolic Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$59.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Active Moist
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$119.00
-
SPF
Invisible Physical Defense SPF30
Morning
CA$79.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Precleanse
Evening · Once a week
CA$77.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
CA$28.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Retinol Clearing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$142.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
CA$29.50
-
Cleansing Mask
Tatcha The Clarifying Clay Mask
Once a week
CA$95.00
-
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
Buy Dermalogica routine · CA$525.00 · 91% fit
Buy Clinique routine · CA$386.05 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Dermalogica vs Clinique routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Daily Glycolic Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$59.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
CA$37.60
-
Moisturizer
Active Moist
Morning · Evening · Once a week
CA$119.00
-
SPF
Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50
Morning
CA$126.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Precleanse
Evening · Once a week
CA$77.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
CA$31.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Retinol Clearing Oil
Evening · Once a week
CA$142.00
-
Enzyme Powder
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
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
Buy Dermalogica routine · CA$530.09 · 90% fit
Buy Clinique routine · CA$322.06 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Dermalogica or Clinique: which is better?
Dermalogica is better for dry, acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots, where the products on this page achieve a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit. Both brands perform equally well for sensitive skin, mature skin, and dry sensitive skin, all earning a High routine fit.
What is the difference between Dermalogica and Clinique?
Dermalogica generally offers a Superior routine fit for oily and combination skin and a High fit for dry, acne-prone, and dark spot skin, whereas Clinique is rated High for dry sensitive, sensitive, mature, and oily acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Clinique has a lower price point, while Dermalogica is less prone to heaviness.
Dermalogica or Clinique for dry skin?
Dermalogica is the better fit for dry skin, achieving a High routine fit level compared to Clinique which reaches an Average level. Both brands include key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin across the products on this page to help maintain moisture. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.
Dermalogica or Clinique: which cleanser is better?
Both Dermalogica and Clinique offer effective cleansers, but the products on this page show that Dermalogica generally achieves higher fit levels across more skin types, such as dry and acne-prone skin.
Which is more affordable, Dermalogica or Clinique?
Clinique is more affordable, as the high price point is noted less often for the products on this page than for Dermalogica.
Dermalogica or Clinique for oily skin?
Dermalogica is better for oily skin, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit compared to Clinique's High fit level. Furthermore, reviewers note that Dermalogica has an advantage regarding greasiness and heavy texture.
Dermalogica or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?
Both Dermalogica and Clinique offer effective moisturizers, with Dermalogica standing out for its intensely hydrating formulas while Clinique is frequently praised for its lightweight, fast-absorbing options. For specific routines on the products on this page, Dermalogica shows a High fit for dry skin whereas Clinique has an Average routine fit.
Dermalogica or Clinique for sensitive skin?
Both Dermalogica and Clinique are well-suited for sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels of High for both brands on this page. Reviewers frequently note both brands for providing soothing moisturizers and gentle cleansers.
Dermalogica or Clinique: which sunscreen is better?
Dermalogica features multiple sunscreens on the products on this page, such as Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 and Invisible Physical Defense SPF 30, which both have a High fit for dry skin, mature skin, and sensitive skin. In contrast, Clinique does not list any sunscreen products on this page.
Dermalogica or Clinique for acne-prone skin?
Dermalogica is the better choice for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, offering a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit. The brand features specialized options like the Breakout Clearing Booster and Retinol Clearing Oil, while both brands maintain fragrance-free formulas across their selections.
Dermalogica or Clinique for mature skin?
Both Dermalogica and Clinique fit mature skin at a High level on the products on this page. Dermalogica focuses on oily, combination, and mature skin types with items like Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50, while Clinique fits dry sensitive, oily, and sensitive skin types best.
Dermalogica or Clinique for dry sensitive skin?
For dry sensitive skin, Dermalogica has a High routine fit while Clinique has an Equal level fit of High. Both brands offer products like Stabilizing Repair Cream and Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser that are well-suited for sensitive skin.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Bacterial cellulose membranes as drug delivery systems: an in vivo skin compatibility study
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical anti-inflammatory effects of isorhamnetin glycosides isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica
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
Antioxidant properties evaluation of topical astaxanthin formulations as anti-aging products
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Topical beta-carotene protects against infra-red-light-induced free radicals
Efficacy of Oxybrasion in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Preliminary Report
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Colloidal Oatmeal <em>(Avena Sativa)</em> Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity
Well-aging: A new strategy for skin homeostasis under multi-stressed conditions
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
Algae extract protection effect on oxidized protein level in human stratum corneum
Starch- and carboxymethyl cellulose-based films as active beauty masks with papain incorporation
Semi-solid functionalized nanostructured lipid carriers loading thymol for skin disorders
Modulating effects of oatmeal extracts in the sodium lauryl sulfate skin irritancy model
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
The effect of Zanthoxylum bungeanum maxim extract on crow's feet: A double-blind, split-face trial
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
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Skin barrier repair efficacy and safety evaluation of an extract from Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis
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
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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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