La Roche-Posay vs Clinique
La Roche-Posay and Clinique are esteemed skincare brands that offer distinct approaches to daily care. The French brand is loved for its nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and targeted eye products formulated with glycerin, soothing thermal water, and niacinamide, which suit mature skin and skin with dark spots best. Conversely, the American brand is widely loved for its thoughtful range of moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, and eye products that thoughtfully incorporate hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine to suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best. Ultimately, they differ through their carefully balanced active ingredients versus comforting, balancing ingredients that perform effectively across various formulations.
La Roche-Posay is a French skincare brand founded in 1975 and owned by L'Oréal S.A. since 1989.
laroche-posay.com.aufr.wikipedia.org
Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..
en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co
This page compares some of the most popular La Roche-Posay and Clinique products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular La Roche-Posay vs Clinique products
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “skin feels plump — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
- “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
Gentle on Skin Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Great retinol for beginners — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
- “doesn't clog pores — La Roche-Posay Anthelios”
- “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “No stinging eyes — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
Texture and Absorption Sometimes NotedMostly 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+”
- “lightweight and absorbs quickly — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
Skin Soothing and Calming Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Only cream that doesn't sting — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
- “Calmed my skin after a chemical peel — La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water”
- “no stinging — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
- “keeps the redness at bay — Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream”
Improves Skin Texture Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Skin feels smoother — La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum”
- “Skin feels softer — La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C10 Serum”
- “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
- “leaves face porcelain smooth — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
Clearing and Exfoliation Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “gentle enough for everyday — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
- “You will see the dirt with one wipe — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
- “squeaky clean — Clinique all about clean”
- “clears acne blemishes — La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser”
Price and Value Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “expensive for the size — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “Too expensive for the size — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream”
- “Tube is tiny for the price — La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Gel B5”
- “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
Texture Issues and Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “hard to rinse off — Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula”
- “feels sticky to the touch — Clinique moisture surge”
- “Left an oily film on my T-zone — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
- “pills like crazy — La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer”
Fragrance and Scent Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “scent is awful — La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum”
- “overwhelming floral smell — La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum”
- “Smells like nail polish remover — Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2”
- “Smells like old oil — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
Packaging Issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “Unhygienic tub — Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
- “prefer a pump dispenser — Clinique All About Eyes”
- “pump dispenses too much — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
- “pump stops working — La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream”
La Roche-Posay vs Clinique routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€72.93
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
€16.89
-
Moisturizer
Pure Vitamin C Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€50.43
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
€22.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Respectissime Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
€35.82
-
Cleansing Toner
ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
€13.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
€15.90
-
Nourishing Mask
LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask_EX
Once a week
€33.90
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€40.78
-
Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
€16.89
-
Moisturizer
Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€58.79
-
SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€20.01
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€46.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening · Once a week
€9.80
-
Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€93.33
-
Nourishing Mask
Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
Once a week
€57.76
La Roche-Posay vs Clinique routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.80
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.90
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€23.16
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
€22.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Water Ultra
Evening · Once a week
€20.76
-
Cleansing Toner
Pixi Glow Tonic
Evening
€18.05
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€72.82
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
€16.82
-
Cleanser
Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€26.27
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
€19.90
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€32.57
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€33.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€46.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
€9.80
-
Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€93.33
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€72.82
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€15.72
La Roche-Posay vs Clinique routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€11.80
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€23.16
-
SPF
Anthelios
Morning
€22.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Respectissime Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover
Evening · Once a week
€35.82
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
€16.99
-
Serum or Treatment
Cicaplast Baume B5+
Evening · Once a week
€15.90
-
Cleansing Mask
Effaclar Mask
Once a week
€16.82
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€40.78
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€32.57
-
SPF
make p:rem UV Defense Me Blue Ray Sun Cream
Morning
€33.70
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
€46.99
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening · Once a week
€9.80
-
Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
€93.33
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€15.72
Questions and answers
La Roche-Posay or Clinique: which is better?
La Roche-Posay is better for sensitive and acne-prone skin, as the products on this page achieve High routine fit across more skin types than Clinique. Both brands feature hydrating moisturizers, but Clinique lists no fragrance in any of its products on this page while La Roche-Posay includes it in some.
What is the difference between La Roche-Posay and Clinique?
La Roche-Posay is owned by L'Oréal S.A. and fits best for mature skin, skin with dark spots, and dry skin, whereas Clinique is owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and fits best for dry sensitive skin, oily skin, and mature skin. Reviewers note that La Roche-Posay does better for skin soothing and calming, while Clinique does better for texture and absorption as well as clearing and exfoliation.
La Roche-Posay or Clinique for dry skin?
La Roche-Posay is a better fit for dry skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit on the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.
La Roche-Posay or Clinique: which cleanser is better?
La Roche-Posay helps cleanse the skin with a high fit across multiple skin types on the products on this page, whereas Clinique cleansers may cause issues with certain skin types as shown by lower fit levels. Topical hyaluronic acid helps maintain skin quality during cleansing.
Which is more affordable, La Roche-Posay or Clinique?
La Roche-Posay is more affordable, as price and value are noted as a concern for both brands but La Roche-Posay does better on price and value according to the review themes on the products on this page.
La Roche-Posay or Clinique: which brand has more fragrance-free products?
Clinique has more fragrance-free products on this page, as every single Clinique product lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In comparison, La Roche-Posay has 21 out of 35 products on this page listing no fragrance.
La Roche-Posay or Clinique for dark spots?
La Roche-Posay is a better fit for skin with dark spots, as Lovi rates its routine as High while Clinique is Average. The products on this page help improve hyperpigmentation with ingredients like niacinamide.
La Roche-Posay or Clinique for oily skin?
Both La Roche-Posay and Clinique fit oily skin with a High routine fit level. Reviewers mention that Clinique offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers, while La Roche-Posay features products like Anthelios with a Superior fit level for oily skin.
La Roche-Posay or Clinique: which moisturizer is better?
La Roche-Posay is a better choice for moisturizers, as the products on this page achieve a High fit level for dry skin while Clinique achieves only an Average fit level. La Roche-Posay also features soothing and sensitive-skin friendly moisturizers that help maintain skin comfort.
La Roche-Posay or Clinique for sensitive skin?
La Roche-Posay is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a High routine fit compared to Clinique's Average fit. La Roche-Posay helps soothe and calm the skin more effectively, and its thermal spring water and panthenol may provide added relief.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Medical Sciences, 2021
La Roche-Posay or Clinique for mature skin?
Both brands offer a High routine fit for mature skin, making them equally suitable options. La Roche-Posay helps improve aging skin with ingredients like retinol, while Clinique features options such as Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream that may address signs of aging.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Research behind their key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Effects of ascorbic acid on gingival melanin pigmentation in vitro and in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Ethosomes of Phenylethyl Resorcinol as Vesicular Delivery System for Skin Lightening Applications
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
A Bayesian network meta-analysis of 14 molecules inhibiting UV daylight-induced pigmentation
Amino acid complex (AAComplex) benefits in cosmetic products: In vitro and in vivo clinical studies
Comparative benefit of two thermal spring waters after photodynamic therapy procedure
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Comprehensive assessment of the efficacy and safety of a clay mask in oily and acne skin
Comparison of methods for assessing photoprotection against ultraviolet A in vivo
Algae extract protection effect on oxidized protein level in human stratum corneum
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Effects of an ultraviolet B radiation absorber on photocarcinogenesis in hairless albino mice
In vitro analysis of immunoprotective effects of topical sunscreens
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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