Clinique vs Medik8
Clinique and Medik8 are established skincare houses representing distinct transatlantic heritages, with the American pioneer launched in 1968 and the British counterpart founded in 2009. The former is celebrated for moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products featuring hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine that suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, while the latter offers serums, moisturizers, eye products, and toners built around hyaluronic acid to primarily fit dry skin and dry sensitive skin. Both labels differ in their targeted formulations and ownership, as the heritage brand is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and addresses diverse concerns through solutions like the Clarifying Do-Over Peel, whereas the newer brand became owned by L'Oréal Groupe in 2025 and utilizes focused offerings such as the Surface Radiance Cleanse and Oxy-R Peptides.
Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co
Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.
loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com
This page compares some of the most popular Clinique and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Clinique vs Medik8 products
People Say
Sensitive skin soothing and gentle formulas Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
- “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
Plumping and smoothing effect Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
- “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
- “Reduces fine lines — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
- “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
Lightweight and non-greasy texture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
- “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
- “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
- “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
Hydration and moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
- “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
- “Plumps skin with moisture — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
- “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
Radiance and brightening Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
- “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
- “pigmentation lightened slightly — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
- “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
Makeup compatibility and base Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
- “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “layers well under sunscreen — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
High price and cost concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
- “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
- “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
- “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
Causes breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
- “made me break out constantly — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
- “caused breakouts — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
- “caused me to breakout — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
- “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
Packaging issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
- “Unhygienic tub — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “prefer a pump dispenser — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
- “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
Clinique vs Medik8 routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€8.85
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Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€78.95
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SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
-
Serum or Treatment
Bakuchiol Peptides
Evening · Once a week
€50.76
-
Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€34.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
-
Moisturizer
Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€48.89
-
SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€22.53
-
Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€71.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
Once a week
€24.50
Clinique vs Medik8 routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€20.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€78.95
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
€16.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
€33.50
-
Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
€76.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
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Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
-
Cleanser
Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€25.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€24.46
-
SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
€16.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€22.53
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
€34.39
-
Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€71.30
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
Clinique vs Medik8 routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€39.80
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€78.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
€33.50
-
Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
€76.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€34.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€24.46
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€22.53
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
€34.39
-
Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€71.30
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
Questions and answers
Clinique or Medik8: which is better?
Medik8 is better for hydration and brightening, while Clinique is better for lightweight textures and makeup compatibility. For dry sensitive skin, the products on this page have a superior routine fit with Medik8 and a high fit with Clinique.
What is the difference between Clinique and Medik8?
Medik8 is generally better for dry, sensitive, and combination skin types, while Clinique is widely praised for its lightweight, non-greasy textures and makeup compatibility. Reviewers note that Medik8 helps provide deep hydration and brightening effects, whereas Clinique offers reliable cleansing and soothing formulas.
Clinique or Medik8 for dry skin?
Medik8 is the better choice for dry skin, offering a superior routine fit compared to Clinique. Hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient featured in the products on this page, helps provide deep hydration and a plumping effect.
Clinique or Medik8: which cleanser is better?
Medik8 is better for cleansers, as the products on this page achieve a Superior fit level for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin compared to Clinique. Reviewers also mention that Medik8 provides gentle and non-irritating serums, while Clinique cleansers may carry risks of warning-level irritation for dry and dry sensitive skin types.
Which is more affordable, Clinique or Medik8?
Both Clinique and Medik8 share a high price point as a common drawback noted by reviewers on the products on this page, meaning neither brand is more affordable than the other.
Clinique or Medik8 for oily skin?
Clinique and Medik8 both provide a High Lovi fit level for oily skin. Reviewers note that Clinique offers lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers, while Medik8 provides deep hydration and plumping.
Clinique or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?
Medik8 is better for dry skin, where it achieves a superior routine fit compared to Clinique's average fit. Topical hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration and plumping effects.
Clinique or Medik8 for sensitive skin?
Medik8 is a superior fit for sensitive skin, whereas Clinique holds a High fit level. Both brands offer gentle formulas, but Medik8 delivers better plumping and hydration.
Clinique or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?
Medik8 is a better fit for acne-prone skin, with products on this page achieving a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit. Medik8 helps deliver effective yet gentle results for blemish-prone users.
Clinique or Medik8 for mature skin?
Both Clinique and Medik8 fit mature skin at a High level on this page. Reviewers note that Clinique offers lightweight moisturizers while Medik8 provides deep hydration and plumping.
Clinique or Medik8 for skin with dark spots?
For skin with dark spots, Medik8 fits better than Clinique overall, as Medik8 achieves a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average level. Medik8's serums, such as Oxy-R Peptides and Super C Ferulic, help provide brightening and glow.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008
Clinique or Medik8 for dry sensitive skin?
For dry sensitive skin, Medik8 is the better choice because the products on this page have a superior routine fit compared to Clinique. Medik8 provides deep hydration and plumping, whereas Clinique fits this skin type at a high level.
Research behind their key ingredients
Topical anti-inflammatory effects of isorhamnetin glycosides isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Evaluation of moisturizing and irritation potential of sacha inchi oil
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Algae extract protection effect on oxidized protein level in human stratum corneum
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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