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Clinique vs Elemis

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

Clinique and Elemis are established skincare brands offering distinct approaches to daily care. Clinique provides moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine, suiting dry sensitive and oily skin best. Elemis curates nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refreshing toners anchored by glycerin and shea, aligning more naturally with mature and dry skin. While both utilize hydrating glycerin, the American brand incorporates caffeine for UV protection and wrinkle reduction, whereas the British brand relies on softening shea to reduce inflammation and relieve skin pruritus.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular Clinique vs Elemis products

People Say

CliniqueElemis
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Sensitivity and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “keeps the redness at bay — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often 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+”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Smoother Skin Texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby-soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Makeup Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Spa-Like or Pleasant Scent Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • High Price Point Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “terrible spots — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “clogged my pores — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Strong Fragrance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

Clinique vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Clinique vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Elemis: which is better?

Clinique is better for sensitivity and fragrance-free formulas, while Elemis is better for luxury textures and dry skin routines. Both brands offer hydrating moisturizers, but Clinique is less likely to cause irritation.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Clinique and Elemis?

Clinique is better for sensitivity and gentle care with fragrance-free formulas, whereas Elemis focuses on luxurious textures with a spa-like scent. For dry skin, Lovi rates Elemis at a High fit level and Clinique at Average.

Clinique or Elemis for dry skin?

Elemis is a better fit for dry skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High while Clinique's routine is Average. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin because its cleansers are fragrance-free and formulated for gentleness, whereas Elemis features luxury scents that may cause irritation for some users.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Elemis?

Both Clinique and Elemis have high price points mentioned by reviewers, so neither brand stands out as more affordable.

Which brand offers more fragrance-free products, Clinique or Elemis?

Clinique offers more fragrance-free products, as every product on its page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, only 4 of the 22 products on the Elemis page list no fragrance.

Clinique or Elemis for oily skin?

Clinique and Elemis both fit oily skin at a High Lovi level. Reviewers often mention Clinique for oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while Elemis features hydrating formulas.

Clinique or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

When choosing a moisturizer, Elemis is a better fit for dry skin with a High Lovi fit level, whereas Clinique offers an Average fit for dry skin. Clinique's moisturizers are noted for being hydrating, lightweight, and fast-absorbing, while Elemis is known for providing a radiant glow and luxurious textures with key ingredients like glycerin and shea butter.

Clinique or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Elemis have an equal High routine fit for sensitive skin, but Clinique may be preferred by shoppers seeking fragrance-free formulas. Clinique lists no fragrance in any products on this page, whereas Elemis includes fragrance in 18 of its 22 products.

Clinique or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Elemis is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average level. Elemis features key ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, while the products on this page for Clinique use hyaluronic acid, glycerin, caffeine, and salicylic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

Clinique or Elemis for mature skin?

Both Clinique and Elemis are great options for mature skin, with Lovi fit levels of High for Clinique and High for Elemis. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis for skin with dark spots?

For skin with dark spots, Elemis is a better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as High, whereas Clinique's fit is Average. Elemis features key ingredients like glycerin and shea butter, while Clinique relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, caffeine, and salicylic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

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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