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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 established skincare brands from America and Britain that offer thoughtful selections of moisturizers, makeup removers, serums, cleansers, eye products, and toners. The American brand incorporates hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, while the British brand relies on niacinamide and glycerin to suit oily skin and acne-prone skin best. Both companies utilize glycerin to significantly increase hydration and restore barrier function, yet they differ as the former relies on hyaluronic acid and caffeine for anti-aging and UV protection benefits, whereas the latter employs niacinamide to reduce hyperpigmentation and improve aging signs.

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

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Simple: which is better?

Simple tends to be better for value and options, whereas Clinique is better for luxurious texture and glow. Both brands perform equally well for sensitive skin and hydration.

What is the difference between Clinique and Simple?

Clinique and Simple are skincare brands owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and Unilever PLC respectively, with Clinique founded in the United States in 1968 and Simple in the United Kingdom in 1960. Clinique features key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, caffeine, and salicylic acid, while Simple features niacinamide and glycerin. Lovi rates Simple's routine fit for dry skin as High compared to Clinique's Average.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

Clinique or Simple for dry skin?

Simple has a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clinique has an Average routine fit. Reviewers note that Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers, while Clinique is often mentioned for having a high price point.

Clinique or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for dry and sensitive skin cleansers, featuring the Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser with a High Lovi fit level for dry sensitive skin, sensitive skin, and dry skin. Reviewers often mention Clinique for gentle and effective cleansers, whereas Simple faces low fit levels for dry and dry sensitive skin with its Refreshing Facial Wash.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Simple?

Simple tends to be more affordable than Clinique, as reviewers often mention high price points for Clinique while noting value-friendly moisturizers for Simple.

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

Both Clinique and Simple have a high level of fragrance-free options, as every product on this page for both brands lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What are the key differences in founding year and parent company between Clinique and Simple?

Clinique was founded in 1968 in the United States and is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., whereas Simple was founded in 1960 in the United Kingdom and is owned by Unilever PLC. Both brands offer products on this page with no fragrance in their ingredients.

How do the routines for dry skin compare between Clinique and Simple in terms of steps and product types?

For dry skin, Lovi rates Clinique's routine as Average and Simple's routine as High. Both brand-focused routines share identical morning and evening steps utilizing a cleanser, hydrating toner, moisturizer, and SPF, alongside pre-cleansers in the evening. However, Clinique incorporates a wrinkle-correcting serum and a nourishing mask, while Simple uses a glow serum and a Vita Essential mask.

Clinique or Simple for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Simple have a High Lovi fit for oily skin. Reviewers often mention that Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while Simple is noted for lightweight, value-friendly formulas.

Clinique or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers better-fitting moisturizers for dry skin with a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit, while both brands feature lightweight and hydrating formulas across the products on this page.

Clinique or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Simple offer high Lovi fit levels for sensitive skin. The products on this page for both brands list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Clinique or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Simple has a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page, while Clinique has an Average routine fit.

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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