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Clinique vs Clarins

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

Clinique and Clarins are two esteemed skincare brands offering thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, serums, and eye products. The American brand, founded in 1968, incorporates hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and caffeine to best suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin, whereas the French brand, founded in 1954, relies on shea and squalane to best suit sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin. Both houses provide standout solutions for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and mature skin. Ultimately, they differ through their distinct heritage, targeted ingredients, and specialized formulations.

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

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

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

Popular Clinique vs Clarins products

People Say

CliniqueClarins
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Effective hydration Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “woke up with baby soft skin — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Sensitive skin friendly Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “cools the heat in my cheeks — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Plumping and anti-aging Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
    • “Skin feels wonderfully moist and supple — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
    • “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
    • “glass skin look — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Excellent makeup base Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “concealer glides on smoothly — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “Perfect primer for any foundation, which all glide on smoothly. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
  • Morning glow and radiance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “radiant youthful glow — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “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”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • 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+”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Causes breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “caused redness — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Pump and bottle design issues Rarely NotedSometimes Noted
    • “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”

Clinique vs Clarins routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Clinique vs Clarins routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

Clinique vs Clarins routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Clarins: which is better?

Clinique is better if you want fragrance-free formulas and strong oil control, while Clarins is better if you prefer luxurious textures and targeted hydration or anti-aging benefits.

What is the difference between Clinique and Clarins?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin since every product on the page lists no fragrance, whereas Clarins is better for a morning glow and effective hydration, though reviewers often mention a strong fragrance in its products.

Clinique or Clarins for dry skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins achieve an Average Lovi fit level for dry skin on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging for dry skin types.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin cleansers, as Lovi rates its Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser as High for sensitive skin compared to the lower ratings of Clarins. Reviewers also note that Clinique is more sensitive-skin friendly overall, whereas Clarins products often feature a strong fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Clarins?

Reviewers note that both Clinique and Clarins have a high price point. However, Clinique is noted as having a high price point as a negative review theme, whereas Clarins is noted as having a high price point as a mostly mentioned negative review theme.

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

Clinique has significantly more fragrance-free products than Clarins, as every product on the Clinique page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.

Clinique or Clarins: which has better anti-aging and plumping results?

Clarins does better for plumping and anti-aging. Lovi finds Clarins has a High fit level for mature skin, and the products on this page often feature ingredients like hyaluronic acid that help smooth the skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which brand performs better for skin with dark spots, Clinique or Clarins?

Clarins performs better for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates its routine fit for this skin type as High compared to Clinique's Average fit level.

Clinique or Clarins for oily skin?

For oily skin, Clinique is a better fit with a High rating from Lovi compared to Clarins at Average. Reviewers note that Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, and every product on the page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Clinique or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer well-rated moisturizers, but Clinique stands out for having no fragrance across its products on this page, whereas almost all Clarins moisturizers contain fragrance. Reviewers note that Clarins provides superior hydration and glow, while Clinique is often praised for being lightweight and better suited for sensitive skin.

Clinique or Clarins for sensitive skin?

Clarins is better suited for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates its fit as High while Clinique's fit is Average. Furthermore, the products on this page for Clinique list no fragrance, whereas nearly all Clarins products contain fragrance.

Clinique or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

Both Clinique and Clarins offer a similar level of fit for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Clinique is often preferred for being fragrance-free, whereas Clarins formulas frequently include added fragrance.

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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