Clarins vs Medik8
Clarins and Medik8 are established skincare houses representing distinct botanical and scientific heritages. The French pioneer is celebrated for luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners enriched with nourishing shea and hydrating squalane, while the British brand focuses on serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more built around hyaluronic acid. Sensitive and dry sensitive skin types respond best to the former, whereas the latter suits dry and dry sensitive skin best. While both cater to complexions needing targeted care, they differ through distinct formulations designed to protect and renew.
Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).
groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com
Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.
loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com
This page compares some of the most popular Clarins and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Clarins vs Medik8 products
People Say
Hydration and glow Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
- “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
- “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
Pleasant scent Sometimes NotedNot noted
- “smells luxurious — Clarins Extra-Firming Neck & Décolleté Cream”
- “smells luxurious — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
- “smells like a spa — Clarins Multi-Active Nuit”
High price point Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
- “very expensive for amount — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
- “hefty price tag — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
- “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
Subtle or underwhelming results Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “didn't see a lift — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
- “no change in circles — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
- “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
- “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
Clarins vs Medik8 routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£8.29
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
£11.49
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£60.00
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SPF
Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Sunscreen
Morning
£22.00
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
£13.58
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Serum or Treatment
Bakuchiol Peptides
Evening · Once a week
£55.00
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
£17.00
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Cleanser
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£8.29
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Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning
£21.00
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Moisturizer
Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£33.60
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SPF
Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Sunscreen
Morning
£22.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£32.00
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
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Nourishing Mask
Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask
Once a week
£54.00
Buy Medik8 routine · £187.36 · 97% fit
Buy Clarins routine · £170.89 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Clarins vs Medik8 routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£8.29
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
£13.98
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£60.00
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SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
£11.29
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£17.00
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Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
£29.00
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Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
£65.00
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
£61.99
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£8.29
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
£21.00
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Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£73.60
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SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
£11.29
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Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£32.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
£22.40
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
£61.99
Buy Medik8 routine · £285.55 · 89% fit
Buy Clarins routine · £249.57 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Clarins vs Medik8 routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£14.99
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Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
£30.37
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£60.00
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Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£23.92
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Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
£29.00
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Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
£65.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
£19.00
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£14.99
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toning Lotion
Morning · Once a week
£21.00
-
Moisturizer
Double Serum Light Texture
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£73.60
-
Pre-Cleanser
Total Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£32.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Purifying Toning Lotion
Evening
£22.40
- Serum or Treatment BRIGHT PLUS Evening · Once a week
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
£19.00
Buy Medik8 routine · £261.28 · 92% fit
Buy Clarins routine · £201.99 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Clarins or Medik8: which is better?
Medik8 is generally better for most skin types on this page, offering Superior fit levels for dry, combination, sensitive, and mature skin compared to Clarins. Both brands feature hyaluronic acid, which helps hydrate the skin and improve signs of aging.
What is the difference between Clarins and Medik8?
Medik8 is a better fit for dry skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin compared to Clarins. Both brands include products with hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin hydration and reduce signs of aging.
Clarins or Medik8 for dry skin?
Medik8 provides a Superior routine fit for dry skin compared to Clarins, which has a High fit level on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured across the products on this page, helps support skin hydration and reduce signs of aging.
Clarins or Medik8: which cleanser is better?
Medik8 stands out for its cleanser on the products on this page, which helps achieve superior fit levels for acne-prone skin, skin with dark spots, and oily acne-prone skin. Clarins is unlikely to reach those top levels with its cleanser, maintaining average fit levels across most skin types.
Which is more affordable, Clarins or Medik8?
Medik8 is generally considered more expensive on this page, as high price points are noted more often for Medik8 than for Clarins. Both brands feature premium pricing overall across the products on this page.
Clarins or Medik8: which brand uses more fragrance in its products?
Clarins uses more fragrance in the products on this page, as nearly all of them list fragrance, whereas almost all Medik8 products on this page are fragrance-free.
Clarins or Medik8: how do their company origins and ownership compare?
Clarins was founded in 1954 in France and is owned by Famille C through Groupe Clarins, whereas Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe.
Clarins or Medik8: which brand has a higher Lovi fit level for mature skin?
Medik8 has a higher Lovi fit level for mature skin, offering a Superior fit compared to the High fit provided by the products on this page from Clarins.
Clarins or Medik8 for oily skin?
Medik8 has a High fit level for oily skin, whereas Clarins has an Average fit level among the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid helps provide deep hydration and plumping benefits.
Clarins or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?
Medik8 is generally better for moisturizers because its routine fit for dry skin reaches a Superior level compared to Clarins at a High level. Topical hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient featured in Medik8 moisturizers, helps improve skin hydration and signs of aging.
Clarins or Medik8 for sensitive skin?
Medik8 is a Superior fit for sensitive skin, whereas Clarins has a High fit level according to Lovi. Both brands feature gentle, hydrating formulas, and topical hyaluronic acid found in their products helps improve overall skin quality.
Clarins or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?
Both Clarins and Medik8 achieve a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin with the products on this page. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured across both brands, helps support skin hydration and moisture barrier health.
Research behind their key ingredients
The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review
Topical anti-inflammatory effects of isorhamnetin glycosides isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica
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
Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin
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
Evaluation of moisturizing and irritation potential of sacha inchi oil
Skin improvement and stability of Echinacea purpurea dermatological formulations
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
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
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
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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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