Clarins vs Galderma
Clarins and Galderma are established European skincare houses that offer distinct approaches to complexion care, with the French company specializing in botanical nourishment and the Swiss enterprise focusing on targeted dermatological treatments. Clarins provides luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners enriched with shea and squalane, whereas Galderma features specialized serums for targeted concerns. The former suits sensitive and dry sensitive skin best, while the latter fits oily and acne-prone skin best. These two differ fundamentally because the French brand relies on botanical ingredients like shea to reduce redness and squalane to increase collagen, while the Swiss brand utilizes clinical formulations such as Epiduo Gel and Benzac AC to address acne and dark spots.
Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).
groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com
Galderma is a Swiss skincare brand founded in 1981 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
This page compares some of the most popular Clarins and Galderma products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Clarins vs Galderma products
People Say
Hydration and glow Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
- “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “insane how cooling it is — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
Acne clearance and prevention Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up my skin — Galderma Benzac AC Mild Strength 2.5% Acne Gel”
- “cystic acne gone — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
- “stops new pimples — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Pleasant scent Rarely NotedNot noted
- “smells luxurious — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “smells luxurious — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
Skin irritation and breakouts Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
- “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
- “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
- “face on fire — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
Purging and side effects Not notedMostly Mentioned
- “got worse first — Galderma Epiduo Gel”
High price point Mostly MentionedNot noted
- “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
Clarins vs Galderma routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
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Moisturizer
SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Enrich Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$22.00
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SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
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Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
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Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$33.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning
$28.05
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Moisturizer
Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$53.00
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$40.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Nourishing Mask
Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask
Once a week
$80.00
Buy Galderma routine · $153.64 · 90% fit
Buy Clarins routine · $250.04 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Clarins vs Galderma routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
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Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
$28.42
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
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Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$33.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
$28.05
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$142.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
$28.05
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy Galderma routine · $326.92 · 96% fit
Buy Clarins routine · $434.07 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Clarins vs Galderma routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$18.99
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening
$18.90
-
Serum or Treatment
Epiduo Gel
Evening · Once a week
$34.97
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$33.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
$28.05
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$142.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$40.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
$28.05
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
Buy Galderma routine · $318.51 · 94% fit
Buy Clarins routine · $413.07 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Clarins or Galderma: which is better?
Clarins is better for hydration and glow, while Galderma is superior for acne-prone, oily, and oily acne-prone skin types. Both brands achieve equal Lovi fit levels for sensitive, mature, dark spot, and dry sensitive skin.
What is the difference between Clarins and Galderma?
Clarins focuses on hydrating and glowing products that suit sensitive, dry sensitive, and mature skin, while Galderma specializes in acne-clearing serums that fit oily, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin.
Clarins or Galderma for dry skin?
For dry skin, both brands work well, but Clarins has a High Lovi fit while Galderma has a Superior fit. Clarins focuses on hydrating and smoothing moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
Which is more affordable, Clarins or Galderma?
Galderma is more affordable, whereas Clarins is noted for a high price point among the products on this page.
Which brand has products with fragrance, Clarins or Galderma?
Clarins has products with fragrance on this page, whereas every Galderma product on this page lists no fragrance.
Clarins or Galderma for oily skin?
For oily skin, Galderma is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior while Clarins is Average. Galderma features effective acne-clearing serums, whereas the products on this page for Clarins are mostly hydrating and smoothing moisturizers.
Clarins or Galderma for sensitive skin?
Both Clarins and Galderma have a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin. Clarins provides hydrating and smoothing moisturizers, while Galderma focuses on acne clearance and prevention.
Clarins or Galderma for acne-prone skin?
Galderma is the better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page provide superior routine fit and excel at acne clearance and prevention. Clarins offers high routine fit for acne-prone skin but may cause skin irritation and breakouts.
Clarins or Galderma for mature skin?
Both Clarins and Galderma fit mature skin well, with Lovi giving Clarins a High fit and Galderma a High fit as well. Clarins features anti-aging moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality.
Clarins or Galderma for skin with dark spots?
Clarins and Galderma are both a High fit for skin with dark spots according to Lovi. Clarins features brightening moisturizers and serums with ingredients like vitamin E, while Galderma provides targeted acne-clearing serums that help manage blemishes.
Research behind their key ingredients
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
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
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
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Modulating effects of oatmeal extracts in the sodium lauryl sulfate skin irritancy model
Moisturizing effect of stable cream containing Crocus sativus extracts
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
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
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