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Clinique vs Simple

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Clinique and Simple are heritage skincare lines known for their reliable moisturizers and makeup removers formulated with glycerin. The American brand pairs this ingredient with hyaluronic acid and caffeine to suit dry, sensitive, and oily skin types, whereas the British brand incorporates niacinamide to best care for acne-prone and oily complexions. Ultimately, the former offers targeted solutions for diverse aging and textural concerns, while the latter focuses on gentle, everyday maintenance.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

This page compares some of the most popular Clinique and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clinique vs Simple products

People Say

CliniqueSimple
  • Sensitive Skin Friendly Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • 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”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Good Makeup Base Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Value and Options Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “lasts forever — Clinique all about clean”
  • Luxurious Texture and Glow Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “absorbs quickly — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “removes last traces of makeup — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Price and Value Complaints Often MentionedNot noted
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Insufficient Hydration Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”

Clinique vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · $128.28 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · $370.23 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · $280.29 · 88% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Clinique vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · $259.77 · 87% fitBuy Clinique routine · $440.07 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Simple: which is better?

Simple is better for value and options, whereas Clinique is noted for luxurious texture and glow, while both brands offer equal levels of hydration, lightweight absorption, and makeup base performance. Reviewers note that Simple offers budget-friendly moisturizers and sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers, while Clinique features hydrating and fast-absorbing formulas.

What is the difference between Clinique and Simple?

Simple tends to be more sensitive-skin friendly and offers better value with more options, while Clinique provides a more luxurious texture and glow. Both brands perform similarly for hydration, lightweight absorption, and use as a makeup base.

Clinique or Simple for dry skin?

Simple is the better choice for dry skin because its routine fit is High, whereas Clinique is Average. Both brands offer products with no fragrance in their ingredients.

Clinique or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple features a better cleanser on the products on this page, as the Refreshing Facial Wash achieves an average fit for acne-prone, sensitive, and oily skin types, whereas the Clinique all about clean cleanser receives warning and low fit levels for dry and sensitive skin. The products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers on the products on this page often mention complaints regarding the high price point of Clinique. Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

Which brand has fragrance-free products, Clinique or Simple?

Both Clinique and Simple have fragrance-free products, as every product listed on this page for both brands contains no fragrance in its ingredients.

Clinique or Simple for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Simple are good options for oily skin, as the products on this page achieve a High fit level for this skin type in their brand-focused routines. Reviewers note that Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while Simple provides lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers.

Clinique or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers better-fitting daily moisturizers on this page for most users, while Clinique provides higher-level targeted options for specific concerns like mature or dry sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Simple products tend to be more value-friendly, whereas Clinique is often associated with a higher price point.

Clinique or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Simple achieve an equal Lovi fit level of High for sensitive skin. The products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients, making them gentle choices.

Clinique or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Clinique and Simple fit acne-prone skin well, as the products on this page achieve a High Lovi fit level for this skin type. Reviewers note that Simple offers value-friendly moisturizers, while Clinique provides hydrating and oil-controlling formulas.

Clinique or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

Clinique is rated High for dry sensitive skin on this page, while Simple is also rated High. Both brands feature fragrance-free products, but Clinique offers targeted options like the Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser, whereas Simple is noted for budget-friendly hydration.

Clinique or Simple for mature skin?

Clinique is a better fit for mature skin, offering high-level product options and targeted anti-aging formulations on this page. Reviewers frequently note Clinique for its luxurious texture and glow, and its key ingredients include hyaluronic acid and caffeine, which help address signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

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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