Clarins vs Olay
Clarins and Olay are two distinct skincare lines offering thoughtfully formulated moisturizers, serums, and eye products for different complexions. Clarins is a French brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C, featuring nourishing shea and hydrating squalane that suit sensitive and dry sensitive skin best. Meanwhile, the other brand utilizes niacinamide and glycerin to suit sensitive and acne-prone skin. Both brands differ in their specific formulations and standout treatments, yet each provides targeted solutions for dark spots, mature skin, and other concerns.
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 Clarins and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Clarins vs Olay products
People Say
Luxurious and lightweight texture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
- “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “Absorbs so quickly! — Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum”
Hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
- “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
- “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Smooth and soft skin texture Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
- “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
- “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
- “makes skin silky smooth — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
Radiance and glow Often MentionedOften 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”
- “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
- “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
Good makeup base and primer 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”
- “concealer sits better — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “absorbs instantly — Olay Eye Lifting Serum”
Anti-aging and firming results Often MentionedRarely Noted
- “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “visibly tighter, lifted skin — Clarins Super Restorative Night Cream”
- “plumped my fine lines — Clarins Double Serum”
- “Helps my skin and eye wrinkles — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
High price point Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
- “expensive for drugstore — Olay Super Serum”
- “expensive — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
- “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
Strong fragrance and scent sensitivity Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “Fragrance can be an irritant — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
- “floral scent — Olay Super Serum”
- “too perfumey — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
- “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
Packaging and design issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
- “dispenses too much — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
- “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
Clarins vs Olay routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 163.62
-
Moisturizer
Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 356.00
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
SAR 115.83
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
SAR 65.11
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
SAR 112.00
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Mediheal Watermide Essential Mask
Once a week
SAR 234.73
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 154.14
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning
SAR 141.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 203.49
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
SAR 75.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 180.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
SAR 141.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask
Once a week
SAR 423.62
Buy Olay routine · SAR 1,177.59 · 74% fit
Buy Clarins routine · SAR 1,448.55 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Clarins vs Olay routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 163.62
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.04
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 189.75
-
SPF
Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25
Morning
SAR 179.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
SAR 112.00
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 154.14
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
SAR 141.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 399.88
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 180.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
SAR 141.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Mask
Once a week
SAR 328.29
Buy Olay routine · SAR 1,429.16 · 84% fit
Buy Clarins routine · SAR 1,548.77 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Clarins vs Olay routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Regenerating Cream Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 163.62
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 166.90
-
Moisturizer
Super Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 189.75
-
SPF
Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Morning
SAR 115.83
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 245.95
-
Cleansing Toner
Oil Minimizing Clean Toner
Evening
SAR 112.00
- Serum or Treatment Vitamin C Serum Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 154.14
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
SAR 141.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 399.88
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
SAR 180.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
SAR 141.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
SAR 157.51
-
Cleansing Mask
KORA Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
SAR 168.77
Buy Olay routine · SAR 1,320.33 · 83% fit
Buy Clarins routine · SAR 1,389.25 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Clarins or Olay: which is better?
Olay is better suited for oily and combination skin with a High routine fit, whereas Clarins achieves an Average fit for those skin types. Reviewers note that Olay offers more fragrance-free options compared to Clarins, which includes fragrance in almost all of its products on this page.
What is the difference between Clarins and Olay?
Olay tends to do better for oily and combination skin, while Clarins is often chosen for anti-aging and firming results. Reviewers note that Olay features more fragrance-free options, whereas Clarins products on this page frequently list fragrance.
Clarins or Olay for dry skin?
Both Clarins and Olay have an average routine fit for dry skin, with Olay offering more fragrance-free choices across the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, found in both brands, helps improve skin quality and signs of skin aging.
Clarins or Olay: which cleanser is better?
Olay offers a better selection of cleansers with higher average fit levels for oily and acne-prone skin compared to Clarins. Both brands feature gentle options, but Olay provides targeted cleansing products that are well-suited for a variety of skin types.
Which is more affordable, Clarins or Olay?
Olay is more affordable than Clarins. Clarins has a high price point as a commonly mentioned drawback by reviewers.
Clarins or Olay: which brand offers more fragrance-free product options?
Olay offers more fragrance-free product options on this page, as 26 of its 27 products list no fragrance compared to only 1 of 24 Clarins products.
Clarins or Olay: which brand performs better for anti-aging and firming results?
Clarins performs better than Olay for anti-aging and firming results. Retinol, a key ingredient featured in Olay's anti-aging range, helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Clarins or Olay: which brand is better suited for oily skin routines?
Olay is better suited for oily skin routines, with Lovi rating its routine fit as High compared to Clarins at Average. Reviewers also note that Olay offers lightweight feel and fast absorption, helping oily skin stay comfortable.
Clarins or Olay for oily skin?
Olay fits oily skin better than Clarins, as Olay achieves a High routine fit level while Clarins only reaches an Average fit level for this skin type.
Clarins or Olay: which moisturizer is better?
Olay and Clarins both offer top-rated moisturizers, with Olay providing standout options like Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream that feature key ingredients such as niacinamide. Clarins also features highly rated options like Extra-Firming Day Cream, though reviewers note that Clarins products more frequently contain strong fragrance compared to Olay's mostly fragrance-free line.
Clarins or Olay for sensitive skin?
Both Clarins and Olay have a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin. Clarins is best known for hydrating moisturizers and glowing serums, while Olay is often noted for intense hydration and fragrance-free options.
Clarins or Olay for acne-prone skin?
Both Clarins and Olay fit acne-prone skin well, as the products on this page achieve a High fit level for this skin type.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
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
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice
Colloidal Oatmeal <em>(Avena Sativa)</em> Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity
Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations
Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment
Comedogenicity in rabbit: some cosmetic ingredients/vehicles
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Modulating effects of oatmeal extracts in the sodium lauryl sulfate skin irritancy model
Moisturizing effect of stable cream containing Crocus sativus extracts
Dually functionalized dendrimer for stimuli-responsive release of active ingredients into the skin
Treatment with Ascorbyl Glucoside-Arginine Complex Ameliorates Solar Lentigos
Microcirculation-Promoting Effect of Escin on Cutaneous Tissue via Gsk3β Down-Regulation
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic 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
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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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