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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 · 98% fit

Clarins vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clarins vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clarins or Simple: which is better?

Simple is better for those seeking affordable, fragrance-free care that is gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Clarins offers luxurious textures with high fit levels for sensitive, mature skin and skin with dark spots across the products on this page.

What is the difference between Clarins and Simple?

Clarins is a French luxury brand known for its rich, fragrant formulas featuring ingredients like shea butter and squalane, whereas Simple is a British brand focusing on fragrance-free, budget-friendly options with niacinamide and glycerin. Both brands offer products on this page that achieve High fit levels for most skin types, though Simple does better for oily skin.

Clarins or Simple for dry skin?

Both Clarins and Simple achieve a High routine fit on Lovi for dry skin. Clarins brings luxurious textures featuring ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, while Simple offers fragrance-free, budget-friendly hydration.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Clarins or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers better cleansers for sensitive skin, whereas Clarins has a higher price point and strong fragrance in most of its cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Clarins or Simple?

Simple is more affordable than Clarins, with reviewers mostly mentioning the brand for its lightweight and value-friendly moisturizers. In contrast, reviewers note Clarins' high price point.

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

Clarins offers a more luxurious texture and scent, whereas Simple features fragrance-free products on this page.

Which brand has products that are fragrance-free, Clarins or Simple?

Simple has products that are fragrance-free, as every product on the Simple page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas almost all Clarins products on this page list fragrance.

Clarins or Simple: which brand is better suited for mature skin?

Both Clarins and Simple achieve a High routine fit level for mature skin, with Clarins focusing on luxurious textures and Simple offering 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 is Average. Simple products on this page are also entirely fragrance-free, whereas almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.

Clarins or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Clarins is better for luxurious textures and richer moisturizing options, whereas Simple is better for lightweight, affordable daily hydration. The products on this page from Clarins feature key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E that help support skin aging and hydration, while Simple offers fragrance-free formulas that are gentle on sensitive skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Clarins or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Clarins and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin on this page, making them equally suitable options. Simple is noted as being especially gentle on sensitive skin, whereas the products on this page for Clarins frequently feature strong fragrances.

Clarins or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Clarins and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Simple focuses on gentle, fragrance-free formulations, whereas Clarins offers luxury textures that may carry a strong fragrance.

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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