Estée Lauder vs Clarins
Estée Lauder and Clarins are respected heritage skincare houses known for thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, eye products, and cleansers. The American brand relies on hydrating hyaluronic acid and glycerin, suiting mature and sensitive skin best, while the French brand employs nourishing shea and squalane to comfort sensitive and dry sensitive skin. Both offer standout targeted treatments, yet they differ in their foundational approaches to supporting skin health.
Estée Lauder is an American skincare brand founded in 1946 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.com
Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).
groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com
This page compares some of the most popular Estée Lauder and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Estée Lauder vs Clarins products
People Say
Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up immediately — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
- “Absorbs quickly into the skin — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
- “The formula is incredibly hydrating and leaves my skin feeling smooth. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
Smoother texture and improved skin feel Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Creamy texture feels luxurious upon application — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
- “skin feels nourished — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “skin feels like a baby's bottom — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Radiant glow and enhanced radiance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
- “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”
- “gives me that glass skin look — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Lightweight and fast absorbing feel Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
- “absorbs quickly without grease — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
- “watery — Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion”
Makeup compatible and base Sometimes NotedSometimes 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”
- “doesn't pill — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme”
Pleasant scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “pleasant cucumber fragrance — Estée Lauder DayWear Moisturizer”
- “Smells luxurious and expensive — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
- “smells luxurious — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “smells luxurious — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
High price point and expensive Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “way too expensive for the size — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
- “too pricey — Estée Lauder Micro Essence Treatment Lotion”
- “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
- “too expensive for results — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
Scent and fragrance complaints Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Scent is too overpowering — Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+”
- “strong scent — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “overpowering scent, like a musty room — Estée Lauder DayWear Moisturizer”
- “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
Bulky or poor packaging design Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “lid is hard to open — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée”
- “Please make a jar or refill that is not as big and heavy. — Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv”
- “Impossible to get out — Estée Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser”
- “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
Lack of visible results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “didn't see a lift — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
- “didn't do much — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “didn't see a major lift — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
- “didn't notice any difference — Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair”
Estée Lauder vs Clarins 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
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
Buy Clarins routine · CA$332.00 · 77% fit
Buy Estée Lauder routine · CA$386.99 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Estée Lauder vs Clarins routines for oily skin
-
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
-
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 Estée Lauder routine · CA$510.40 · 75% fit
Buy Clarins routine · CA$468.45 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Estée Lauder vs Clarins routines for combination skin
-
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
-
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 Estée Lauder routine · CA$424.49 · 75% fit
Buy Clarins routine · CA$408.46 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Estée Lauder or Clarins: which is better?
Estée Lauder is better for oily skin, combination skin, and acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve High routine fit for these types compared to Clarins's Average fit. Both brands perform equally well for dry skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, and dark spots with High routine fit levels.
What is the difference between Estée Lauder and Clarins?
Estée Lauder and Clarins both provide products on this page that offer deep hydration and suit mature and sensitive skin well. However, Estée Lauder features fewer products with added fragrance, whereas nearly all Clarins products on this page contain fragrance.
Estée Lauder or Clarins for dry skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Clarins fit dry skin at a High level on the products on this page. Estée Lauder helps deliver deep hydration, while Clarins is often noted for its hydrating and smoothing moisturizers.
Estée Lauder or Clarins: which cleanser is better?
For cleansers on this page, Estée Lauder is a better choice because its cleansers generally fit a wider range of skin types better, whereas Clarins cleansers like Gentle Foaming Cleanser have lower fit levels for dry sensitive skin.
Which is more affordable, Estée Lauder or Clarins?
Both Estée Lauder and Clarins are noted by reviewers on the products on this page for having a high price point.
Estée Lauder or Clarins: which has more fragrance-free products?
Estée Lauder has more fragrance-free products on this page, with 12 out of 14 items listing no fragrance compared to only 1 out of 24 products for Clarins.
Estée Lauder or Clarins for oily skin?
For oily skin, Estée Lauder is the better choice because the products on this page have a High routine fit compared to an Average fit for Clarins. Both brands feature glycerin, while Clarins formulas also include key ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Estée Lauder or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?
When comparing moisturizers, Estée Lauder and Clarins both offer effective options, but the products on this page show that Estée Lauder achieves a High routine fit for more skin types including dry, oily, and combination skin, whereas Clarins achieves High fit mainly for dry, sensitive, and mature skin. Reviewers often mention that Estée Lauder excels in deep hydration, while Clarins is frequently praised for its lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas.
Estée Lauder or Clarins for sensitive skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Clarins are suitable choices, as the routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page is High for both brands.
Estée Lauder or Clarins for acne-prone skin?
Estée Lauder fits acne-prone skin better than Clarins, achieving a High routine fit level compared to Clarins's Average. Hyaluronic acid helps hydrate the skin.
Estée Lauder or Clarins for mature skin?
Both Estée Lauder and Clarins are well suited for mature skin, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit for this skin type with both brands. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.
Estée Lauder or Clarins for skin with dark spots?
Both Estée Lauder and Clarins provide products on this page that fit skin with dark spots well, with both brands achieving a High routine fit level. Clarins features more products with a Superior fit for this skin concern, such as the Extra-Firming Day Cream and Super Restorative Night Cream, whereas Estée Lauder's products on this page frequently list no fragrance compared to Clarins.
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
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Chrysin protects epidermal keratinocytes from UVA- and UVB-induced damage
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
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
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
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Skin recovery by Lavandula angustifolia leaf callus extract: Redox control of Nrf2 signaling
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Modulating effects of oatmeal extracts in the sodium lauryl sulfate skin irritancy model
Moisturizing effect of stable cream containing Crocus sativus extracts
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Microcirculation-Promoting Effect of Escin on Cutaneous Tissue via Gsk3β Down-Regulation
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
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
-

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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