Cetaphil vs Clarins
Cetaphil and Clarins are two distinct skincare houses offering thoughtfully formulated ranges designed to support combination, sensitive, and acne-prone complexions. Cetaphil features nourishing ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol to cleanse and hydrate, while Clarins relies on shea butter and squalane to protect and balance. Choosing between the brands ultimately depends on whether you prefer the American heritage and barrier-restoring focus of the former or the French botanical expertise and anti-aging care of the latter.
Cetaphil is an American skincare brand founded in 1947 and owned by Galderma Group AG.
en.wikipedia.orgcetaphil.co.uk
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 Cetaphil and Clarins products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Cetaphil vs Clarins products
People Say
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “cleared up flaky skin — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
- “healed my dry patches — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
- “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
- “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
Gentle for Sensitive Skin Mostly MentionedRarely Noted
- “The only thing my reactive skin tolerates. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
- “No breakouts since switching to this. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
- “cleans without stripping — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
- “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
Non-Greasy Absorption Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion”
- “Absorbs quickly into skin without residue — Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion”
- “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
Smoother Skin and Complexion Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “Skin felt softer after one use — Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser”
- “Skin feels instantly softer — Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub”
- “neck feels smoother — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “makes skin silky smooth — Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion”
Awakening and Radiance Effect Not 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”
Luxurious Texture Not notedOften Mentioned
- “melting non-oily texture — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “Creamy texture feels luxurious upon application — Clarins Extra-Firming Day Cream”
- “feels like silk — Clarins Double Serum”
High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
- “expensive for drugstore — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
- “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
Scent Complaints Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “Overpowering masking fragrance — Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar”
- “Scent is overwhelmingly artificial. — Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser”
- “smells like masking fragrance — Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser”
- “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
Packaging Issues Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “hate dipping fingers in — Cetaphil Moisturising Cream”
- “wish it had a pump — Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream”
- “dispenses too much product — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
Lack of Lather and Texture Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “sat on top of skin — Clarins Double Serum”
- “made my face burn — Clarins Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask”
- “Described as having a sticky, gel-like texture. — Clarins Beauty Flash Balm”
- “Miss the bubbles, feels like washing with lotion. — Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser”
Cetaphil vs Clarins routines for dry skin
-
Cleanser
Gentle Skin Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$29.66
-
Hydrating Toner
Healthy Radiance Brightness Refresh Toner
Morning
S$61.68
-
Moisturizer
Rich Hydrating Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.30
-
SPF
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Morning
S$18.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Gentle Exfoliating SA Lotion
Evening · Once a week
S$19.91
-
Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning
S$42.13
-
Moisturizer
Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$72.82
-
SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
S$21.09
-
Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
-
Serum or Treatment
Double Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$150.00
-
Nourishing Mask
Extra-Firming Mask
Once a week
S$105.32
Buy Cetaphil routine · S$257.68 · 83% fit
Buy Clarins routine · S$247.61 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Cetaphil vs Clarins routines for oily skin
-
Cleanser
Daily Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$26.29
-
Hydrating Toner
Healthy Radiance Brightness Refresh Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$61.68
-
Moisturizer
Ceramide Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$26.29
-
SPF
Oil Control
Morning
S$28.93
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Gentle Exfoliating SA Lotion
Evening · Once a week
S$19.91
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
S$42.13
-
Moisturizer
Super Restorative Décolleté and Neck Concentrate
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$146.74
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Serum or Treatment
Double Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$150.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Cetaphil routine · S$330.00 · 83% fit
Buy Clarins routine · S$455.72 · 75% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Cetaphil vs Clarins routines for combination skin
-
Cleanser
Daily Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$26.29
-
Hydrating Toner
Healthy Radiance Brightness Refresh Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$61.68
-
Moisturizer
Ceramide Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$26.29
-
SPF
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Morning
S$18.51
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Gentle Exfoliating SA Lotion
Evening · Once a week
S$19.91
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
S$42.13
-
Moisturizer
Super Restorative Décolleté and Neck Concentrate
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$146.74
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening · Once a week
S$39.39
-
Serum or Treatment
Double Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$150.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy Cetaphil routine · S$348.51 · 88% fit
Buy Clarins routine · S$455.72 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Cetaphil or Clarins: which is better?
Both Cetaphil and Clarins are great choices, as they offer an equal level of routine fit across all skin types. Cetaphil is generally better for gentle, fragrance-free care on sensitive skin, whereas Clarins is known for its luxurious textures and radiance-boosting formulas.
What is the difference between Cetaphil and Clarins?
Cetaphil is an American brand founded in 1947 that offers affordable, mostly fragrance-free products known for being gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Clarins is a French brand founded in 1954 known for luxurious textures, radiant finishes, and higher price points. Both brands achieve High routine fit levels across all skin types.
Cetaphil or Clarins for dry skin?
Both Cetaphil and Clarins are a High fit for dry skin on this page, offering targeted routines like Cetaphil's Rich Hydrating Night Cream and Clarins's Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream. While Cetaphil relies on fragrance-free formulations with ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate, Clarins provides luxurious textures with ingredients like squalane and shea butter.
Cetaphil or Clarins: which cleanser is better?
Cetaphil is better for gentle, fragrance-free cleansing, whereas Clarins offers more luxurious foaming and oil cleansers that often include fragrance. Reviewers note that Cetaphil cleansers are gentle and non-stripping, while Clarins cleansers feature luxurious textures.
Which is more affordable, Cetaphil or Clarins?
Cetaphil is more affordable, whereas Clarins frequently receives reviewer complaints about its high price point.
Between Cetaphil and Clarins, which brand offers better options with no fragrance?
Cetaphil offers better options with no fragrance, as almost all of the products on this page list no fragrance, whereas nearly all Clarins products contain fragrance.
How do the founding years and company origins of Cetaphil and Clarins compare?
Cetaphil was founded in 1947 in the United States and is owned by Galderma Group AG, whereas Clarins was founded in 1954 in France and is owned by Famille C.
Which brand performs better when it comes to gentle skincare for sensitive skin?
Cetaphil performs better than Clarins for sensitive skin because Cetaphil is specifically noted for being gentler for sensitive skin, whereas Clarins receives more scent complaints. Additionally, the products on this page from Cetaphil mostly list no fragrance, while almost all Clarins products contain fragrance.
Cetaphil or Clarins for oily skin?
Both Cetaphil and Clarins have a High routine fit for oily skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil offers gentle, non-stripping cleansers, while Clarins is known for lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers.
Cetaphil or Clarins: which moisturizer is better?
Both brands offer moisturizers with a High routine fit for dry, sensitive, and mature skin. However, Cetaphil moisturizers are generally fragrance-free and budget-friendly, whereas Clarins moisturizers are known for luxurious textures and radiance-boosting effects but often feature strong fragrances and high price points.
Cetaphil or Clarins for sensitive skin?
Both brands offer a High routine fit for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that Cetaphil does better for being gentle on sensitive skin, while Clarins is often noted for a strong fragrance.
Cetaphil or Clarins for acne-prone skin?
Both Cetaphil and Clarins have an equal high routine fit level for acne-prone skin. Cetaphil is often noted for being gentle and fragrance-free across the products on this page, whereas Clarins offers luxurious textures with glowing serums.
Research behind their key ingredients
The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Effects of menthol and cold on histamine-induced itch and skin reactions in man
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
Ascorbic Acid Treatments as Effective and Safe Anti-Aging Therapies for Sensitive Skin
Another Reason for Using Caffeine in Dermocosmetics: Sunscreen Adjuvant
Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Colloidal Oatmeal <em>(Avena Sativa)</em> Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity
Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations
The impacts of sodium lauroyl sarcosinate in facial cleanser on facial skin microbiome and lipidome
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
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
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
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.
-

Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

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
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-

Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.






















































