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Clarins vs Simple

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

Clarins and Simple are distinct skincare brands founded in France and Britain, respectively. Clarins is loved for its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, soothing eye products, and gentle toners enriched with shea and squalane, while Simple is beloved for its gentle moisturizers, makeup removers, cleansers, and toners crafted with niacinamide and glycerin. The former suits sensitive skin and dry sensitive skin best, whereas the latter suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best. Both offer standout treatments for specific concerns, but they differ in their origin, ownership, and key ingredient profiles.

Clarins is a French skincare brand founded in 1954 and owned by Famille C (Groupe Clarins).

groupeclarins.comen.wikipedia.orghappi.com

Simple is a British skincare brand founded in 1960 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2011.

en.wikipedia.orgsec.govprnewswire.comsimple.co.uk

This page compares some of the most popular Clarins and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clarins vs Simple products

People Say

ClarinsSimple
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — Clarins Double Serum”
    • “keeps skin moist — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “Does not cause any form of irritation on the skin which I love. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
    • “The only cleanser that doesn't turn my face red. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “no artificial perfume — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “no irritation for contact wearers — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
  • Lightweight and fast absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs immediately — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “sinks in immediately — Clarins Double Serum Light Texture”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Luxurious texture and scent Often MentionedOften 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”
    • “Love that it has absolutely no scent. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • Makeup compatibility and base 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”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Affordable value Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “great value for money — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
    • “super affordable — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “Can't beat the price for the quality. — Simple Micellar Water”
  • High price point Mostly MentionedNot noted
    • “way too expensive — Clarins Double Serum”
  • Strong fragrance and scent Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “Smells like chemicals — Simple Refreshing Facial Wash”
    • “smells like perfume — Clarins Multi-Active Jour”
  • Subtle or insufficient results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “didn't see a lift — Clarins Total Eye Lift”
    • “no change in circles — Clarins Double Serum Eye”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”

Clarins vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Clarins routine · £170.89 · 83% fitBuy Simple routine · £136.73 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clarins vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · £221.50 · 87% fitBuy Clarins routine · £249.57 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clarins vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · £185.60 · 85% fitBuy Clarins routine · £201.99 · 73% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clarins or Simple: which is better?

Both Clarins and Simple offer strong routine fits for dry and sensitive skin on the products on this page, but they differ in formulation and pricing. Clarins provides luxurious textures and deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, while Simple is known for fragrance-free, value-friendly products containing niacinamide.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

What is the difference between Clarins and Simple?

Clarins is a French luxury brand offering products with fragrance that suit dry and sensitive skin, while Simple is an affordable British brand providing fragrance-free options that fit acne-prone and oily skin best.

Clarins or Simple for dry skin?

Both Clarins and Simple are well suited for dry skin, achieving equal levels on this page. Clarins focuses on hydrating and smoothing moisturizers, while Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly formulas that help maintain skin hydration.

Clarins or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple tends to be better for sensitive skin and value, while Clarins offers more options with luxurious textures and targeted ingredients like shea butter and glycerin. Reviewers frequently note that Simple provides gentle makeup removers, whereas Clarins is known for its hydrating and smoothing cleansers.

Which is more affordable, Clarins or Simple?

Simple is more affordable compared to Clarins, as the products on this page offer budget-friendly value while Clarins is noted for its high price point.

Clarins or Simple: which brand offers a more luxurious texture?

Clarins does better than Simple when it comes to a luxurious texture. Reviewers on the products on this page frequently mention the luxurious textures and scents of Clarins products.

Which brand has products with added fragrance, Clarins or Simple?

Clarins has products with added fragrance, whereas every product from Simple on this page lists no fragrance.

Clarins or Simple: which is better for mature skin?

Both Clarins and Simple fit mature skin well, as the products on this page achieve an equal level of High fit for this skin type. Simple features niacinamide, which may help control skin aging.

Antioxidants, 2021The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Clarins or Simple for oily skin?

Simple fits oily skin better than Clarins, as Lovi rates Simple with a High fit level for oily skin while Clarins only achieves an Average fit level across the products on this page.

Clarins or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Clarins and Simple offer comparable hydration for dry skin on this page, with Clarins excelling in luxurious textures and Simple providing budget-friendly value. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured in the Clarins range, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Clarins or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Clarins and Simple offer a High Lovi fit for sensitive skin. Simple is recognized for being especially gentle on sensitive skin, whereas Clarins features luxurious textures.

Clarins or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Both Clarins and Simple provide an equal routine fit level of High for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Simple features niacinamide in its products, which may help control skin issues.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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