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The Ordinary vs Clarins

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

The Ordinary and Clarins are two distinct skincare lines offering targeted serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and toners formulated with key hydrators like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, and nourishing shea. The Canadian brand centers its science-backed solutions on ingredients such as hyaluronic acid for wrinkle reduction, glycerin for barrier function, and squalane to support collagen production, making both brands well-suited for dry or sensitive skin types. While the former features specialized acids for acne, dark spots, and aging, the French brand relies on luxurious formulations with shea butter to soothe redness and protect the complexion. Ultimately, consumers choose between these options depending on whether they prefer functional, ingredient-focused treatments or a deeply nourishing, sensorial experience.

The Ordinary is a Canadian skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021.

glossy.coen.wikipedia.org

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 The Ordinary and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular The Ordinary vs Clarins products

People Say

The OrdinaryClarins
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “glass skin effect — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “eliminated armpit odor — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • Hydration and Moisture Often MentionedMostly 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”
    • “skin feels immediately hydrated — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Value and Price Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “lasts forever — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution”
    • “can't beat the price — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “extremely affordable — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
  • Acne and Blemish Control Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “pimples disappear within a day — The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution”
    • “pores look significantly smaller — The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%”
    • “never had any reaction to it with my sensitive skin — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
  • Soothing and Calming Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “calms down the redness immediately — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “deflates morning bags — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “No irritation at all — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “doesn't make me greasy — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
  • 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”
    • “eyes look more open — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “tight, bright and shiny — The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Expensive for Ordinary — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Strong Scent and Fragrance Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Smells like vinegar — The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum”
    • “smell is unbearable — The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%”
    • “has a slight chemical smell — The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Sticky and Greasy Residue Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “sat on top of skin — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “Described as having a sticky, gel-like texture. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
    • “Texture too thick and heavy — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
    • “feels very sticky — The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5”
  • Ineffective Results and Performance Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in pigment — The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG”
    • “Skin felt tight an hour later — The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA”
    • “Didn't do anything special — The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA”
    • “didn't see a lift — Clarins Total Eye Lift”

The Ordinary vs Clarins routines for dry skin

See multi-brand routine · 98% fit

The Ordinary vs Clarins routines for oily skin

See multi-brand routine · 95% fit

The Ordinary vs Clarins routines for combination skin

See multi-brand routine · 94% fit

Questions and answers

The Ordinary or Clarins: which is better?

The Ordinary provides a superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Clarins. Additionally, the products on this page list no fragrance, whereas almost all Clarins products contain added fragrance.

What is the difference between The Ordinary and Clarins?

The Ordinary offers budget-friendly, fragrance-free products that excel in value, acne control, and soothing, whereas Clarins features a higher-priced, luxuriously scented range known for rich hydration and glowing results. The Ordinary achieves a Superior routine fit for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin, while Clarins attains a High or Average fit across these types.

The Ordinary or Clarins for dry skin?

The Ordinary is a better choice for dry skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Clarins' Average fit on these pages. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Drug Delivery, 2017

The Ordinary or Clarins: which cleanser is better?

The Ordinary offers better value cleansers like the Glycolipid Cream Cleanser, whereas Clarins focuses on luxurious textures and hydrating cleansers like the Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser.

Which is more affordable, The Ordinary or Clarins?

The Ordinary is more affordable, as reviewers often mention its serums provide great value. Clarins, by contrast, frequently receives complaints about its high price point.

Which brand has products with no fragrance, The Ordinary or Clarins?

The Ordinary is the brand where every product on the page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.

How do the founding years and corporate owners of The Ordinary and Clarins compare?

The Ordinary was founded in 2016 in Canada and has been owned by The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. since 2021. In comparison, Clarins was founded earlier in 1954 in France and is owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

Which brand performs better for glow and radiance according to review themes?

Clarins performs better for glow and radiance according to review themes.

The Ordinary or Clarins for oily skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for oily skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Clarins' Average routine fit. Reviewers note that The Ordinary provides better acne and blemish control, while the products on this page list no fragrance.

The Ordinary or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?

Both brands offer moisturizers, but The Ordinary is a better fit for dry skin with a Superior routine level compared to an Average level for Clarins. Hyaluronic acid helps improve skin hydration and moisture.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

The Ordinary or Clarins for sensitive skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Clarins which has a High fit level. Furthermore, every product on The Ordinary products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.

The Ordinary or Clarins for acne-prone skin?

The Ordinary is a better fit for acne-prone skin, offering a Superior routine compared to Clarins' Average routine fit. Reviewers specifically praise The Ordinary for its acne-clearing serums.

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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