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Clinique vs Shiseido

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

Clinique and Shiseido are respected skincare brands from America and Japan respectively, each offering thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, serums, and cleansers. The American brand is known for incorporating hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, while the Japanese brand relies on nourishing glycerin to suit mature skin and skin with dark spots best. While the former features standout items like the Clarifying Do-Over Peel, the for Men Oil-Free Moisturizer, and the Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream, the latter offers the Treatment Softener, the Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream, and the Essential Energy Hydrating Cream. Ultimately, both differ primarily in their founding heritage, targeted skin types, and unique ingredient synergies.

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

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

This page compares some of the most popular Clinique and Shiseido products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clinique vs Shiseido products

People Say

CliniqueShiseido
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “Airy-soft texture — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Texture and Softness Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “foams into a rich cloud — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No strong scent — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “No irritation — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Base Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “Great base for makeup — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Brightening and Radiance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Skin looks brighter, more radiant, and "glowy." — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “faded pimple marks — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
    • “Eyes look more awake — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “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”
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • 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+”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Insufficient Hydration or Dryness Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Not enough for winter — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
    • “left my skin squeaky dry — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
    • “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • Skin Irritation and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Blurry vision after use — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Face stung and became red — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
    • “increase your skin's sun sensitivity — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Caused some irritation — Shiseido Bio-Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream”

Clinique vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clinique vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Shiseido: which is better?

Shiseido is often better for deep hydration and radiance, while Clinique is typically better for gentle, fragrance-free care. Shiseido achieves high routine fit levels for dry, combination, and sensitive skin on this page, whereas Clinique is well-liked for its lightweight moisturizers and makeup removers.

What is the difference between Clinique and Shiseido?

Clinique is known for its fragrance-free formulas and gentleness, while Shiseido offers deeper hydration and luxurious textures.

Clinique or Shiseido for dry skin?

For dry skin, Shiseido is the better choice as it achieves a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average rating. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration, though Shiseido formulations frequently feature added fragrance.

Clinique or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for gentle cleansers, while Shiseido is better for deep-cleansing and efficient cleansers based on reviewer feedback. Clinique cleansers on this page are completely fragrance-free, whereas most Shiseido cleansers contain fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Shiseido?

Reviewers note that Clinique has a high price point, while Shiseido is also frequently noted for its high price point.

Clinique or Shiseido for fragrance-free options?

Clinique is better for fragrance-free options because every product on the products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, only 5 of 20 products on this page for Shiseido list no fragrance.

Clinique or Shiseido for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Shiseido offer products on this page that achieve a High Lovi fit level for oily skin. Reviewers note that Clinique provides effective oil-controlling moisturizers, while Shiseido delivers deep hydration and cleansing.

Clinique or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

Both Clinique and Shiseido offer great moisturizers, with Shiseido generally providing deeper hydration and luxurious textures while Clinique focuses on gentle, fragrance-free formulas. For dry skin, the products on this page show that Shiseido achieves a High routine fit level compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Shiseido is the better choice because Lovi rates its brand-focused routine fit as High compared to Clinique's Average fit level. While Clinique products on this page list no fragrance, Shiseido products on this page offer deep hydration and luxurious textures.

Clinique or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, Shiseido is the better choice because Lovi rates its brand-focused routine fit as High compared to Clinique's Average fit. Shiseido's products on this page help provide deep cleansing and efficient care, though reviewers sometimes note a strong fragrance.

Clinique or Shiseido for mature skin?

Both Clinique and Shiseido offer products on this page that are well-suited for mature skin. Lovi rates the routine fit for mature skin as High for both brands.

Clinique or Shiseido for skin with dark spots?

Shiseido is a better fit for skin with dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a high routine fit compared to Clinique's average fit. Shiseido's selection includes specialized brightening moisturizers and essences that help improve radiance.

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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