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Clinique vs Clarins

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

Clinique and Clarins are respected skincare brands that offer thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, and eye products designed to address various concerns. The American brand incorporates hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, while the French brand harnesses soothing shea and replenishing squalane for sensitive skin and mature skin. These formulations differ as the former relies on laboratory-backed compounds for balanced care, whereas the latter draws its gentle yet effective care from natural elements.

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

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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 Clinique and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clinique vs Clarins products

People Say

CliniqueClarins
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Effective hydration Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Sensitive skin friendly Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “cools the heat in my cheeks — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Plumping and anti-aging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “Skin feels wonderfully moist and supple — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
    • “glass skin look — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Excellent makeup base Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “Perfect primer for any foundation, which all glide on smoothly. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
  • Morning glow and radiance Rarely 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”
    • “radiant youthful glow — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
  • 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”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Unpleasant or strong scent Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Has a weird plastic-like smell — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Pump and bottle design issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”

Clinique vs Clarins routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Clinique vs Clarins routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Clinique vs Clarins routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Clarins: which is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin because every product on the page lists no fragrance, whereas Clarins often features a strong fragrance. Clarins tends to offer more effective hydration and anti-aging benefits.

What is the difference between Clinique and Clarins?

Clinique and Clarins both offer great hydration, but Clinique stands out for being fragrance-free and sensitive skin friendly, while Clarins is known for its luxurious textures and anti-aging benefits.

Clinique or Clarins for dry skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins are a High fit for dry skin on this page, offering hydrating moisturizers. Topical hyaluronic acid, found across the products on this page, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin, as the products on this page list no fragrance, whereas nearly all Clarins cleansers contain fragrance and reviewers mention strong scents.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Clarins?

Both brands are noted for having a high price point, but reviewers mention high price more frequently as a negative for Clinique than for Clarins.

Clinique or Clarins: which has fragrance-free products?

Clinique is the better choice for fragrance-free options because every product on the products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, almost all of Clarins products contain added fragrance.

Clinique or Clarins for oily skin?

Clinique is a better fit for oily skin, with a High routine fit compared to Clarins' Average level. The products on this page for Clinique help provide oil-controlling and smoothing benefits, and every product on the page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Clinique or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

When comparing moisturizers from the products on this page, Clarins provides better hydration and anti-aging benefits, while Clinique is often preferred for sensitive skin. Both brands offer options with hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins are a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Clinique formulas on the page list no fragrance, whereas almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.

Clinique or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Clarins fits acne-prone skin better than Clinique, as Lovi rates Clarins as High for this skin type compared to Clinique's Average.

Clinique or Clarins for mature skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins achieve High routine fit levels for mature skin. Clarins products on this page frequently feature ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Clarins for skin with dark spots?

Clarins is a better fit for skin with dark spots, achieving a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average level. Clarins offers effective hydration and glow-boosting serums that help address dark spots, although reviewers mention it often has a strong fragrance.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

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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