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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 founded in France and Britain, respectively. Clarins is loved for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners enriched with shea and squalane, while Simple is beloved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin. The former suits sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin best, whereas the latter suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best. Both offer standout treatments for specific concerns, but they differ in their origin, ownership, and key ingredient profiles.

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 · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Clarins or Simple: which is better?

Simple is better for value and sensitive skin, while Clarins stands out for luxurious textures and scents. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between Clarins and Simple?

Clarins is a French luxury brand with a high price point and strong fragrance across most of the products on this page, whereas Simple is a UK-based, affordable brand that formulates every product on this page without fragrance. Niacinamide helps control skin aging and pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clarins or Simple for dry skin?

Simple is a better fit for dry skin on this page, offering High routine fit compared to Clarins' Average routine fit. Hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration and moisture in the products on this page.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple is better for being gentle on sensitive skin, while the products on this page from Clarins are generally better for luxurious texture and scent.

Which is more affordable, Clarins or Simple?

Simple is more affordable compared to Clarins, which has reviewers frequently mentioning a high price point.

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Clarins or Simple?

Simple has more fragrance-free products on this page, as every Simple product lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, almost all Clarins products on this page list fragrance.

Clarins or Simple for oily skin?

Simple fits oily skin better, with Lovi rating the products on this page High for that skin type compared to Clarins at Average. Simple also offers fragrance-free, lightweight moisturizers that reviewers find value-friendly.

Clarins or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Simple offers better-fitting moisturizers for dry, oily, and acne-prone routines on this page. Clarins moisturizers provide luxurious textures and hydration, but the products on this page often feature a strong fragrance.

Clarins or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Clarins and Simple are well suited for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates both brands as High for this skin type.

Clarins or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Simple is a better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to an Average fit for Clarins. Niacinamide, a key ingredient found across Simple products, helps control skin pigmentation.

Antioxidants, 2021

Clarins or Simple for mature skin?

Both Clarins and Simple offer a High Lovi fit for mature skin, with the products on this page providing choices for hydration and targeted care. Clarins is noted for luxurious textures and moisturizers, while Simple provides budget-friendly options.

Clarins or Simple for dry sensitive skin?

Both Clarins and Simple are well suited for dry sensitive skin, with Lovi fit levels of High for the products on this page. Clarins focuses on hydrating and smoothing moisturizers, while Simple provides gentle, sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers.

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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