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Clinique vs Elemis

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

Clinique and Elemis are established skincare names, with the American brand founded in 1968 and the British brand established in 1989. Clinique offers thoughtful moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products utilizing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, whereas Elemis provides curated serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners featuring glycerin and shea to suit dry skin and mature skin best. While both incorporate nourishing glycerin, they differ as the former relies on hyaluronic acid and caffeine for balanced hydration and protection, and the latter leans on shea butter to deeply restore and reduce inflammation.

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

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

Popular Clinique vs Elemis products

People Say

CliniqueElemis
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Sensitivity and Gentle Formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “keeps the redness at bay — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Smoother Skin Texture Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby-soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Makeup Compatibility Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Spa-Like or Pleasant Scent Not 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”
  • 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”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedRarely Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “terrible spots — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “clogged my pores — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Strong Fragrance Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

Clinique vs Elemis routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Elemis routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clinique vs Elemis routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Elemis: which is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin due to its fragrance-free formulas, while Elemis offers a high routine fit for dry and combination skin types. Both brands provide effective hydration and plumping for the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Clinique and Elemis?

Clinique is better suited for oily skin and sensitive formulas with zero fragrance across the products on this page, whereas Elemis offers a spa-like scent with strong fragrance in most products and fits dry skin better. Both brands provide good hydration and plumping for mature skin and dry sensitive skin.

Clinique or Elemis for dry skin?

Elemis is a better fit for dry skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average level. Elemis features products like the Pro-Collagen Night Cream that are well-suited for dry skin, while Clinique's products on this page are fragrance-free.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive and gentle cleansing, as all its cleansers and products on this page list no fragrance. Elemis cleaners may offer a spa-like scent, but reviewers sometimes note strong fragrance and skin irritation.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Elemis?

Clinique is more affordable than Elemis, as high price points are noted as a negative point more frequently for Elemis.

Clinique or Elemis: which has products with no fragrance?

Clinique is better because every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas Elemis includes fragrance in the majority of its products.

Clinique or Elemis: which brand is better for skin with dark spots?

Elemis is better for skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a High routine fit compared to an Average fit for Clinique. Hyaluronic acid helps improve overall skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis: which brand provides better makeup compatibility?

Clinique provides better makeup compatibility than Elemis. The products on this page help create effective makeup bases, and reviewers note that Clinique does better with makeup compatibility.

Clinique or Elemis for oily skin?

Clinique is better for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Elemis at Average. The products on this page for Clinique are also noted for providing oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers.

Clinique or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Clinique is better for oily skin, where its moisturizers offer a High fit level and oil-controlling benefits. Elemis is better for dry skin, achieving a High routine fit with luxurious and hydrating moisturizers.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both brands offer products for sensitive skin, but Elemis achieves a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average level. Elemis provides products that help deliver a spa-like scent, while Clinique's products on this page list no fragrance and are noted for being gentle.

Clinique or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Clinique and Elemis offer products on this page that are a High fit for acne-prone skin, such as Clinique's for Men Oil-Free Moisturizer and Elemis's Papaya Enzyme Peel. Elemis also achieves a High routine fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Clinique is an Average fit overall. However, reviewers note that Elemis sometimes causes 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

How does it fit your skin?

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