🇫🇷France

Clarins vs SK-II

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

Clarins and SK-II are esteemed skincare brands rooted in French botanical tradition and Japanese biotechnology, respectively. Clarins delivers nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, delicate eye products, and refreshing toners driven by soothing shea and replenishing squalane, suiting sensitive and mature skin best. Conversely, SK-II offers luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks anchored by its signature pitera, catering primarily to dry and acne-prone skin. While both elevate daily routines through specialized care, the former emphasizes gentle natural elements for comfort, and the latter utilizes targeted formulations to refine skin imbalances.

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

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular Clarins and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clarins vs SK-II products

People Say

ClarinsSK-II
  • Hydration and Radiance Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • High Price Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “too expensive for results — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “very expensive — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”

Clarins vs SK-II routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Clarins vs SK-II routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clarins vs SK-II routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clarins or SK-II: which is better?

Clarins and SK-II are both great choices, with Clarins focusing on sensitive, mature, and dry sensitive skin using key ingredients like shea butter and hyaluronic acid, while SK-II features fragrance-free formulas centered around Pitera for dry and acne-prone skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Clarins and SK-II?

Clarins is a French brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C, while SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company. Clarins features products on this page that often contain fragrance, whereas every product on this page from SK-II lists no fragrance.

Clarins or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II offers a Superior routine fit based on the products on this page, while Clarins offers a High fit. SK-II's products feature fragrance-free formulations, whereas almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.

Clarins or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers, Clarins and SK-II are both great options depending on your specific skin needs. Lovi shows that SK-II offers a Superior routine fit for dry skin with products like Facial Treatment Essence, whereas the products on this page for Clarins feature nourishing key ingredients like shea butter and squalane to help with hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which is more affordable, Clarins or SK-II?

SK-II is more affordable than Clarins, as reviewers frequently mention high price points as a drawback for Clarins while not noting it for SK-II.

How do Clarins and SK-II differ in their use of fragrance across products?

Clarins includes fragrance in almost all the products on this page, whereas every SK-II product on this page lists no fragrance.

Which brand offers better routine fit for mature skin, Clarins or SK-II?

Both Clarins and SK-II offer a High routine fit for mature skin with the products on this page, though Clarins also features specific moisturizers with a Superior fit.

What are the main key ingredients found across Clarins products compared to SK-II?

Clarins products feature key ingredients like shea butter, squalane, oat, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and glycerin, whereas SK-II products rely entirely on Pitera. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi finds that both Clarins and SK-II offer a high fit across the products on this page. SK-II features formulas that are entirely free of added fragrance, whereas most Clarins products on this page contain fragrance.

Clarins or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Clarins fits sensitive skin best with its targeted routines, while SK-II also offers good options on this page. Clarins features nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E that help support skin hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Clarins or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, SK-II may fit better as its routine is rated Superior compared to Clarins' High fit. The products on this page from SK-II also list no fragrance, which helps reduce the risk of irritation.

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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