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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 prominent skincare brands founded in the mid-twentieth century that offer thoughtful ranges of cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens. The American line relies on nourishing ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol to suit combination skin and acne-prone skin best, while the French house harnesses soothing shea and replenishing squalane for sensitive skin and mature skin. Ultimately, both brands differ through their distinct formulations and foundational philosophies, yet each provides targeted solutions for concerns ranging from dark spots to aging signs.

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 · 98% fit

Cetaphil vs Clarins routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Cetaphil vs Clarins routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Cetaphil or Clarins: which is better?

Cetaphil is better for oily and combination skin, offering a Superior fit for combination skin compared to Clarins' High fit, while both brands provide an equal High fit for dry, sensitive, acne-prone, and mature skin. Cetaphil is more affordable and fragrance-free across almost all products on this page, whereas Clarins is often noted for its luxurious textures and radiance-boosting effects.

What is the difference between Cetaphil and Clarins?

Cetaphil is generally better for oily skin with a High routine fit compared to Clarins' Average fit, whereas both brands offer High routine fits for dry, sensitive, and mature skin. Cetaphil focuses on fragrance-free formulations with key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, while Clarins is known for its luxurious textures and botanical ingredients.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Cetaphil or Clarins for dry skin?

Both Cetaphil and Clarins offer a High routine fit for dry skin, making them equally good options for this skin type. Cetaphil helps provide gentle, fragrance-free hydration with key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid across the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Cetaphil or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

Cetaphil is better for cleansers on this page, as reviewers mostly mention gentle and non-stripping cleansers while the products on this page are mostly fragrance-free. Clarins reviewers note a lack of lather and texture issues, and almost all Clarins cleansers on this page contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Clarins?

Cetaphil is more affordable than Clarins, as Clarins is noted for its high price point.

Between Cetaphil and Clarins, which brand has more products formulated without added fragrance?

Cetaphil has more products formulated without added fragrance, with 26 of its 27 products listing no fragrance, compared to only 1 of 24 products for Clarins.

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

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

Which brand performs better for providing a luxurious texture according to reviewer feedback?

Clarins performs better for providing a luxurious texture, as reviewer feedback frequently highlights its luxurious textures compared to Cetaphil.

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 are well-suited for oil control, featuring mostly fragrance-free options like cleansers that help manage excess oil without stripping the skin.

Cetaphil or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

Cetaphil and Clarins both offer effective moisturizers, with Cetaphil fitting best for oily, acne-prone, and combination skin, while Clarins excels in mature skin, sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots. Reviewers report that Cetaphil moisturizers help provide non-greasy hydration, whereas Clarins products help deliver luxurious textures and radiance-boosting effects.

Cetaphil or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both brands are a High fit for sensitive skin, but Cetaphil is often preferred because it features gentle, non-stripping cleansers and avoids the strong fragrances found in most Clarins products.

Cetaphil or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Both Cetaphil and Clarins offer a High routine fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

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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