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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 specialized formulations for varied complexions. The French creator is known for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners enriched with shea and squalane, which suit sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin best. Conversely, the British company is beloved for gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners incorporating niacinamide and glycerin, making it ideal for acne-prone skin and mature skin. These approaches differ primarily in their formulation philosophies, where one emphasizes botanical luxury for deep nourishment and the other focuses on straightforward, essential care.

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 · 99% fit

Clarins vs Simple routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clarins vs Simple routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clarins or Simple: which is better?

Simple tends to be better for value and sensitivity, whereas Clarins offers more luxurious textures and fragrances across the products on this page. For skin with dark spots, niacinamide in Simple helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

What is the difference between Clarins and Simple?

Clarins is a French luxury brand offering products with rich textures and fragrances, whereas Simple is a British brand known for fragrance-free, budget-friendly options. Clarins focuses well on sensitive, dry sensitive, and mature skin, while Simple provides strong fits for acne-prone skin and oily skin types.

Clarins or Simple for dry skin?

Clarins and Simple offer an equal routine fit for dry skin on the products on this page. Lovi finds both brands perform well for dry skin, though Clarins features luxurious textures and moisturizers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers a more budget-friendly approach with products like Refreshing Facial Wash, whereas Clarins focuses on luxurious textures and targeted skincare routines with options like Gentle Foaming Cleanser.

Which is more affordable, Clarins or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its affordable value and high price point as a negative for Clarins.

Clarins or Simple: which brand offers better luxury textures and scents?

Clarins offers better luxury textures and scents than Simple, which reviewers note for having a lack of fragrance.

Which brand uses fragrance in its products, Clarins or Simple?

Clarins uses fragrance in almost all of the products on this page, whereas Simple lists no fragrance in any of its products.

Clarins or Simple: which is better for mature skin?

Both Clarins and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level for mature skin on the products on this page, with Clarins offering luxurious textures and Simple providing affordable, fragrance-free care. Niacinamide in Simple may help control skin aging, and hyaluronic acid in Clarins helps improve skin quality.

Antioxidants, 2021Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or Simple for oily skin?

Simple fits oily skin better than Clarins, as Lovi rates Simple with a High routine fit for oily skin while Clarins gets an Average fit level.

Clarins or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Clarins is better for luxurious textures and rich hydration, while Simple offers superior value and is entirely fragrance-free across the products on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin moisture, while niacinamide may reduce pigmentation.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Clarins or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Clarins and Simple achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin based on the products on this page. Simple may be preferred by those seeking fragrance-free options, as every product on its page lists no fragrance.

Clarins or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Simple is the better fit for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates Simple as High and Clarins as Average for this skin type.

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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