Clinique vs Clarins
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
- moisture surge
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Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
SAR 149.48
-
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
SAR 106.95
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All About Eyes
SAR 287.10
-
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
SAR 99.90
-
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
SAR 316.97
-
Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
SAR 233.00
-
Clarifying Lotion 2
SAR 159.61
People Say
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
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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
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 256.00
-
Moisturizer
Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 380.09
-
SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
SAR 75.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
SAR 149.48
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
SAR 159.61
-
Serum or Treatment
Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum
Evening · Once a week
SAR 316.97
-
Enzyme Powder
FANCL Facial Washing Powder
Once a week
SAR 130.30
-
Nourishing Mask
Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
Once a week
SAR 233.00
Buy Clarins routine · SAR 1,448.55 · 73% fit
Buy Clinique routine · SAR 1,700.45 · 66% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Clinique vs Clarins routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 204.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 53.04
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 99.90
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
SAR 149.48
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
SAR 159.61
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector 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 Clinique routine · SAR 1,198.78 · 79% fit
Buy Clarins routine · SAR 1,548.77 · 71% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Clinique vs Clarins routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
all about clean
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 256.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
SAR 166.90
-
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
SAR 99.90
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
SAR 46.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Evening · Once a week
SAR 149.48
-
Cleansing Toner
Clarifying Lotion 2
Evening
SAR 159.61
- Serum or Treatment Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector 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 Clinique routine · SAR 1,205.12 · 75% fit
Buy Clarins routine · SAR 1,389.25 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Clinique or Clarins: which is better?
Both brands are great, but Clinique helps more with sensitive skin since the products on this page list no fragrance, whereas Clarins is better for hydration and anti-aging results.
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 hydration and glow-boosting moisturizers.
Clinique or Clarins for dry skin?
Both Clinique and Clarins have an Average routine fit for dry skin. Clinique offers fragrance-free products on the products on this page, while Clarins is often noted for a strong fragrance.
Clinique or Clarins: which cleanser is better?
Both Clinique and Clarins offer gentle and effective cleansers on the products on this page, but Clinique stands out for sensitive skin. Lovi rates Clinique's Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser as High for sensitive skin, whereas Clarins includes fragrance in its cleansers.
Which is more affordable, Clinique or Clarins?
Clinique is more affordable, as high price point is a negative review theme for Clinique, whereas Clarins is noted for having a high price point as well as being compared less favorably on price across the products on this page.
Clinique or Clarins: which is better for mature skin?
Both Clinique and Clarins achieve a High Lovi fit for mature skin. Reviewers note that the products on this page help deliver plumping and anti-aging benefits with Clarins, while Clinique lists no fragrance across its products.
Do Clinique products contain fragrance compared to Clarins?
Clinique is unlikely to contain fragrance in the products on this page, whereas Clarins has added fragrance in almost all of its formulas.
Clinique or Clarins: which is better for reducing dark spots?
Clarins is better for reducing dark spots, as the products on this page achieve a High fit level for skin with dark spots compared to Clinique's average fit.
Clinique or Clarins for oily skin?
Clinique is a better fit for oily skin, offering a High Lovi fit level compared to Clarins' Average fit level on the products on this page.
Clinique or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?
Clarins is better for hydration and glow, while Clinique is better for sensitive skin because every product on this page lists no fragrance. Additionally, the products on this page help provide effective hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
Clinique or Clarins for sensitive skin?
Both Clinique and Clarins have a High routine fit level for sensitive skin, but Clinique may be preferred by shoppers wanting fragrance-free options since every product on its page lists no fragrance compared to Clarins where only 1 of 24 products does.
Clinique or Clarins for acne-prone skin?
Clarins is a better fit for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as High compared to Clinique's Average level.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
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
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
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
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
Modulating effects of oatmeal extracts in the sodium lauryl sulfate skin irritancy model
Moisturizing effect of stable cream containing Crocus sativus extracts
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
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
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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