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Clarins vs Simple

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

Clarins and Simple are distinct skincare brands offering dedicated routines for diverse complexions, with the French house established in 1954 and the British counterpart founded in 1960. The former brand is celebrated for nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, delicate eye products, and refreshing toners featuring soothing shea and replenishing squalane, which together suit sensitive skin and mature skin best. Conversely, the latter brand is deeply loved for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners incorporating niacinamide and glycerin, matching oily skin and acne-prone skin best through this thoughtful formulation. While both lines provide focused care—such as the French brand's Double Serum Light Texture, Extra-Firming Day Cream, and Super Restorative Night Cream alongside the British line's Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner, Micellar Cleansing Water, and Micellar Water—they differ fundamentally as their key ingredients distinctively target separate skin types and concerns.

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular Clarins vs Simple products

People Say

ClarinsSimple
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Rarely NotedMostly 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”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Lightweight and fast absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Luxurious texture and scent Often MentionedOften 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”
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Makeup compatibility and base Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “Perfect primer for any foundation, which all glide on smoothly. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Affordable value Not 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”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Smells like chemicals — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Subtle or insufficient results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't see a lift — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “no change in circles — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”

Clarins vs Simple routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clarins vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clarins vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clarins or Simple: which is better?

Simple is better for sensitive skin because the products on this page are fragrance-free and offer gentle care, whereas Clarins is better if you prefer luxurious textures and scents. For oily skin, Simple offers a High Lovi fit level while Clarins reaches an Average level.

What is the difference between Clarins and Simple?

Clarins is a French luxury brand with scented products that helps deliver a luxurious texture and glow-boosting moisturizers, whereas Simple is an affordable UK brand where every product on this page lists no fragrance. Niacinamide in Simple products helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Clarins or Simple for dry skin?

Both Clarins and Simple offer an equal High routine fit for dry skin among the products on this page. Clarins features hydrating moisturizers and luxurious textures, while Simple provides gentle, budget-friendly options.

Clarins or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple is better for sensitive skin because its Refreshing Facial Wash has a lower Lovi fit level for dry and dry sensitive skin than Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser.

Which is more affordable, Clarins or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than Clarins, as reviewers on the products on this page frequently mention its affordable value and high price point for Clarins.

Clarins or Simple: which brand offers a more luxurious texture and scent?

Clarins offers a more luxurious texture and scent, whereas Simple provides no fragrance across the products on this page.

Which brand is gentler on sensitive skin, Clarins or Simple?

Simple is gentler on sensitive skin, as reviewers note it is sensitive-skin-friendly and every product on this page lists no fragrance. In contrast, almost all of the products on the Clarins page contain fragrance, which may cause irritation.

Clarins or Simple: which has a higher price point?

Clarins has a higher price point than Simple, as reviewers on the page frequently note Clarins for its high price point while Simple is known for its affordable value.

Clarins or Simple for oily skin?

Simple is the better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High while Clarins achieves only Average.

Clarins or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Clarins offers luxurious, highly-rated moisturizers like Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream with a High fit for dry sensitive skin, while Simple provides budget-friendly, fragrance-free options such as Replenishing Rich Moisturiser that are generally gentle on sensitive skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Clarins and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin. Simple tends to be more gentle on sensitive skin, while Clarins offers luxurious textures for the products on this page.

Clarins or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Clarins and Simple achieve an equal High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Clarins is noted for its hydrating and smoothing formulas, whereas Simple is valued for being affordable and gentle.

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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