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The Ordinary vs Clarins

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

The Ordinary and Clarins are two distinct skincare brands offering targeted solutions for various complexions through serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners. While the Canadian brand focuses on science-backed staples like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalane to suit dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, the French brand relies on nourishing shea and squalane to comfort sensitive and mature types. Ultimately, the two differ in their heritage and formulation approach, providing either clinical ingredient-led regimens or luxurious botanical treatments.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

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 The Ordinary and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The Ordinary vs Clarins products

People Say

The OrdinaryClarins
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “eliminated armpit odor — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value and Price Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
  • Soothing and Calming Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “deflates morning bags — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “No irritation at all — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “doesn't make me greasy — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Glow and Radiance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “eyes look more open — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “tight, bright and shiny — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Strong Scent and Fragrance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Sticky and Greasy Residue Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “sat on top of skin — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “Described as having a sticky, gel-like texture. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
    • “Texture too thick and heavy — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Ineffective Results and Performance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in pigment — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “Didn't do anything special — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “didn't see a lift — Clarins Total Eye Lift”

The Ordinary vs Clarins routines for dry skin

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The Ordinary vs Clarins routines for oily skin

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The Ordinary vs Clarins routines for combination skin

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Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Clarins: which is better?

The Ordinary is generally better for budget-friendly value and blemish care, whereas Clarins excels in luxurious textures, hydration, and radiance. Both brands offer products on this page with strong fits for sensitive and mature skin.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Clarins?

The Ordinary offers better value and superior acne-clearing options, whereas Clarins excels in hydration, radiance, and luxurious textures. The Ordinary lists no fragrance across the products on this page, while most Clarins items contain added fragrance.

The Ordinary or Clarins for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin, offering Superior routine fit compared to Clarins' High fit. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

The products on this page show that both The Ordinary and Clarins offer solid cleansers like the Glucoside Foaming Cleanser and the Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser, but The Ordinary tends to be a more affordable choice for shoppers looking for value.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Clarins?

The Ordinary is more affordable, offering budget-friendly and great value serums on the products on this page, whereas Clarins has a high price point.

Do The Ordinary products contain fragrance?

The Ordinary products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients. This helps make the brand a gentle choice for sensitive skin.

Which brand performs better for hydration and moisture?

Clarins performs better for hydration and moisture, offering luxurious, hydrating moisturizers and glowing serums. Hyaluronic acid helps provide moisture across the products on this page.

Drug Delivery, 2017Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What are the key ingredients found across Clarins products?

The products on this page for Clarins feature key ingredients like shea butter, squalane, oat, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and glycerin. Hyaluronic acid helps provide hydration and anti-aging effects for the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Clarins for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for oily skin, offering superior routine performance compared to Clarins' average fit on the products on this page. Niacinamide helps control oil production effectively, supported by clinical findings.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

The Ordinary or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

The products on this page show that The Ordinary offers better value, while Clarins is preferred for hydration and moisture. The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to a High fit for Clarins.

The Ordinary or Clarins for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary offers a Superior fit for sensitive skin on this page, while Clarins has a High fit. The Ordinary products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, whereas almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.

The Ordinary or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better choice for acne-prone skin because the products on this page achieve a superior routine fit compared to Clarins. Niacinamide helps control blemishes, and salicylic acid is frequently used for clearing acne.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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