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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 houses that offer thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, and cleansers designed to nurture various skin types. The American brand incorporates hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best, whereas the British brand harnesses glycerin and shea to care for mature skin and dry sensitive skin. While both share a devotion to balanced moisture and targeted solutions, they differ in their heritage and specific botanical and scientific infusions.

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 · 98% 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 · 94% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Elemis: which is better?

Both Clinique and Elemis offer great hydrating options, but Clinique is better for sensitive skin due to its fragrance-free formulas, while Elemis provides a more luxurious, spa-like experience with a radiant glow. Clinique also uses key ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

What is the difference between Clinique and Elemis?

Clinique is fragrance-free across the products on this page and tends to suit sensitive skin well, while Elemis often features luxurious textures with added fragrance and achieves a high routine fit for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. Both brands offer hydrating moisturizers and smoothing benefits, but Clinique leans toward gentler formulas while Elemis provides a more spa-like scent.

Clinique or Elemis for dry skin?

Elemis is a better fit for dry skin, as the products on this page provide a high routine fit compared to Clinique's average fit. Clinique's products on this page list no fragrance, which helps reduce the risk of irritation, whereas Elemis offers a spa-like scent.

Clinique or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Clinique is better for sensitive skin as its cleansers fit that skin type at a High level and the products on this page list no fragrance, whereas Elemis cleansers can sometimes cause skin irritation and feature strong fragrance.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Elemis?

Clinique is more affordable than Elemis, as high price points are noted less often for Clinique than for Elemis.

Which brand has a stronger fragrance, Clinique or Elemis?

Elemis has a stronger fragrance than Clinique, as the products on this page for Elemis mostly include added fragrance while every Clinique product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

Clinique or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Elemis fit oily skin well, with a High Lovi fit level for this skin type across their routines. Reviewers note that Clinique offers lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers, while Elemis provides a radiant glow and luxurious texture.

Clinique or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Clinique features fragrance-free options and is often noted for lightweight, hydrating moisturizers, whereas Elemis provides luxurious textures with spa-like scents that help deliver a radiant glow. Both brands offer moisturizers with a high Lovi fit for dry skin, though Elemis achieves a high routine fit compared to Clinique's average fit for dry skin.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Elemis is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average level. However, Elemis products on this page often feature fragrance, whereas every Clinique product on this page lists no fragrance.

Clinique or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Clinique and Elemis have an average routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page. Clinique offers fragrance-free options that may reduce the risk of irritation, while Elemis provides specialized products like the Papaya Enzyme Peel with a high fit level for acne-prone skin.

Clinique or Elemis for mature skin?

Both Clinique and Elemis are well-suited for mature skin, achieving an equal High Lovi fit level across their relevant products on this page. Clinique relies on fragrance-free hydrating formulas with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, whereas Elemis offers luxurious, often scented textures featuring pro-collagen complexes.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clinique or Elemis for skin with dark spots?

Elemis fits skin with dark spots better than Clinique, as Elemis achieves a High routine fit level for this skin type while Clinique only reaches an Average fit level. Topical treatments help manage pigmentation issues.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

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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