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Clarins vs Elemis

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

Clarins and Elemis are established European skincare houses that offer luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, and gentle toners enriched with nourishing shea. The French brand suits sensitive and dry sensitive skin best with formulations featuring squalane, whereas the British brand suits dry and mature skin best through preparations combining glycerin and shea. Both lines feature standout treatments for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature concerns, but they differ in their foundational heritage, specific key ingredients, and precise targeted benefits.

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

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular Clarins vs Elemis products

People Say

ClarinsElemis
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Glow and Radiance Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “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”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Anti-Aging and Firming Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
    • “plumped my fine lines — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “My neck doesn't sag... plumps my skin to look more youthful. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
  • Pleasant Scent Sometimes 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”
    • “smells luxurious — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
  • Cleansing and Exfoliation Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “removes every last trace — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
  • High Price Point Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “too expensive for results — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “very expensive — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
  • Strong Fragrance and Scent Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “smell is too strong — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Only small negative is the smell is quite strong. — Elemis Superfood Facial Oil”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Skin Irritation and Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “Developed milia and closed comedones. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”

Clarins vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clarins vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clarins vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clarins or Elemis: which is better?

Both Clarins and Elemis are great options, with Clarins doing better for glow and radiance and anti-aging and firming, while Elemis stands out for a pleasant scent as well as cleansing and exfoliation. For routine fit across the products on this page, both brands score High for dry, sensitive, mature, and dark spot-prone skin, whereas Elemis has a High fit for combination, acne-prone, and oily acne-prone skin compared to Clarins' Average fit.

What is the difference between Clarins and Elemis?

Clarins and Elemis both offer hydrating and smoothing products, but Clarins does better for glow and anti-aging while Elemis stands out for cleansing and exfoliation. For skin types, Lovi gives Elemis a High fit for acne-prone skin and combination skin, whereas Clarins has an Average fit for those same skin types.

Clarins or Elemis for dry skin?

Both Clarins and Elemis are a High fit for dry skin based on the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Both brands offer solid cleansing options, but Elemis stands out for cleansing and exfoliation based on reviewer feedback. The products on this page for Elemis include cleansers like Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash and Superfood Facial Wash, while Clarins features options like Gentle Foaming Cleanser and Total Cleansing Oil.

Which is more affordable, Clarins or Elemis?

Both Clarins and Elemis feature a high price point as a mostly mentioned downside by reviewers on this page.

Between Clarins and Elemis, which brand is better for anti-aging and firming?

Clarins does better for anti-aging and firming according to the review themes on this page.

Which brand performs better for glow and radiance, Clarins or Elemis?

Clarins performs better for glow and radiance compared to Elemis, according to reviewer feedback on this page. Reviewers note that Clarins offers radiance and glow-boosting moisturizers as well as hydrating and glowing serums.

How do the foundation and origin years of Clarins and Elemis compare?

Clarins was founded in 1954 in France, whereas Elemis was established later in 1989 in the United Kingdom. Both brands originated in Europe.

Clarins or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Clarins and Elemis offer an Average Lovi routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that moisturizers from both brands share a high price point.

Clarins or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both Clarins and Elemis offer great moisturizers, with Clarins excelling in glow and anti-aging effects while Elemis provides strong hydration and smoother skin texture. Reviewers note that both brands feature luxurious textures and deeply moisturizing formulas, though Elemis has a pleasanter scent. For dry skin specifically, Lovi rates both brands as having a High routine fit level.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both Clarins and Elemis are a High fit for sensitive skin on Lovi. Clarins features key ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Elemis is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Clarins's Average level on this page. Reviewers mention that Elemis helps provide smoother skin texture and a radiant glow, while both brands share similar concerns regarding skin irritation and breakouts.

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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