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Cetaphil vs Clarins

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

Cetaphil and Clarins are two distinct skincare lines known for gentle, nourishing essentials that support healthy barriers. The American brand features cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens with glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol to suit combination and oily acne-prone skin. Meanwhile, the French brand offers moisturizers, targeted serums, eye products, and toners harnessing soothing shea and squalane to care best for sensitive and mature skin. Ultimately, while both brands address concerns like dark spots and aging, they differ through their foundational ingredients and specific regional heritages.

Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.

en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk

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

Popular Cetaphil vs Clarins products

People Say

CetaphilClarins
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Gentle for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
    • “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Non-Greasy Absorption Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
    • “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Smoother Skin and Complexion Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
    • “Skin feels instantly softer — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
    • “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “makes skin silky smooth — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
  • Awakening and Radiance Effect Not 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”
  • Luxurious Texture Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “Creamy texture feels luxurious upon application — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
    • “feels like silk — Clarins Double Serum”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Scent Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
    • “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
    • “smells like masking fragrance — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Packaging Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “hate dipping fingers in — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
    • “wish it had a pump — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Lack of Lather and Texture Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “sat on top of skin — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “Described as having a sticky, gel-like texture. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
    • “Miss the bubbles, feels like washing with lotion. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”

Cetaphil vs Clarins routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Cetaphil vs Clarins routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Cetaphil vs Clarins routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Clarins: which is better?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit across all skin types, but Cetaphil is generally better for sensitive skin and value, while Clarins is preferred for luxurious textures and radiance. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Clarins?

Cetaphil is known for being gentle on sensitive skin with products largely free of fragrance, while Clarins offers luxurious textures with a strong emphasis on radiance and glow. Both brands provide high routine fit levels across most skin types on this page.

Cetaphil or Clarins for dry skin?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit level for dry skin on their respective pages. Cetaphil is owned by Galderma Group AG in the United States and offers fragrance-free options across almost all products on the page, while Clarins is a French brand where most products on the page contain fragrance.

Cetaphil or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer cleansers, but Cetaphil is particularly noted as a Lovi Superior fit for gentle, non-stripping cleansing on multiple skin types. Clarins cleansers also provide options like hydrating and foaming formulas, but reviewers frequently mention that Cetaphil excels at being gentle on sensitive skin.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Clarins?

Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas Clarins has a high price point as a common negative review theme for the products on this page.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between Cetaphil and Clarins?

Cetaphil was founded in 1947 in the United States, whereas Clarins was founded in 1954 in France.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Cetaphil or Clarins?

Cetaphil has more fragrance-free products than Clarins, as 26 of the products on this page for Cetaphil list no fragrance compared to only 1 of the products on this page for Clarins.

What key skincare ingredients are shared across both Cetaphil and Clarins product lines?

Both Cetaphil and Clarins share Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin E as key ingredients across their product lines on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or Clarins for oily skin?

Cetaphil is the better choice for oily skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Clarins's Average fit. The products on this page from Cetaphil include options specifically formulated for oil control, helping manage excess shine effectively.

Cetaphil or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

Both Cetaphil and Clarins offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry skin, though Cetaphil's products on this page are generally fragrance-free while Clarins' options often feature added scent. Niacinamide in Cetaphil formulas helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil is especially gentle for sensitive skin, while Clarins is often chosen for its luxurious textures.

Cetaphil or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Both brands achieve a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, but Cetaphil is generally preferred for being gentler and less likely to cause irritation or heavy residue issues.

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

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