🇬🇧United Kingdom

Clinique vs Simple

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

Clinique and Simple are established skincare brands known for their thoughtful ranges of moisturizers, makeup removers, and targeted treatments incorporating hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and soothing niacinamide. The American brand suits dry sensitive skin and oily skin best with comforting, balancing ingredients, whereas the British brand suits acne-prone skin and skin with dark spots best owing to its gentle formulations. While both utilize glycerin to improve skin hydration and restore barrier function, they differ in their heritage, ownership, and signature active ingredients.

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

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 Clinique and Simple products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Clinique vs Simple products

People Say

CliniqueSimple
  • Sensitive Skin Friendly Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
    • “never irritated my eyes — Clinique All About Eyes”
  • Hydration and Plumping Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “skin feels soft and smooth — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “banished dryness within days — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
    • “Instantly boosts skin's hydration... face doesn't feel dry and tight. — Simple Micellar Cleansing Water”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “sinks in instantly — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”
    • “absorbs very quickly — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Good Makeup Base Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “foundation glides on — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — Clinique All About Eyes”
    • “makeup lays well — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “works well under foundation — Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturiser”
  • Value and Options Rarely 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”
    • “lasts forever — Clinique all about clean”
  • Luxurious Texture and Glow Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “skin feels silky smooth — Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “wake up glowing — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “absorbs quickly — Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask”
    • “removes last traces of makeup — Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner”
  • Causes Breakouts Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “Gave me tiny bumps on my forehead. — Simple Micellar Water”
    • “caused major breakouts — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
  • Price and Value Complaints Often MentionedNot noted
    • “jar is too small for the cost — Clinique moisture surge”
  • Insufficient Hydration Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “skin felt tight — Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Clinique moisture surge”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — Simple Water Boost Hydrating Gel Cream”

Clinique vs Simple routines for dry skin

Buy Simple routine · £136.73 · 83% fitBuy Clinique routine · £210.11 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Clinique vs Simple routines for oily skin

Buy Simple routine · £221.50 · 87% fitBuy Clinique routine · £194.06 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Clinique vs Simple routines for combination skin

Buy Simple routine · £185.60 · 85% fitBuy Clinique routine · £151.87 · 72% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

Clinique or Simple: which is better?

Simple stands out on this page as the better option for value and sensitive skin friendliness, while Clinique is noted for luxurious textures and glow. Reviewers often mention Clinique for high price points and Simple for value-friendly moisturizers.

What is the difference between Clinique and Simple?

Simple tends to be more budget-friendly and offers a High routine fit for dry and combination skin, whereas Clinique is known for a higher price point while delivering luxurious textures and a High fit for mature skin. Both brands feature fragrance-free products on the products on this page.

Clinique or Simple for dry skin?

Simple has a High routine fit for dry skin, whereas Clinique has an Average routine fit for dry skin. Simple offers lightweight, value-friendly moisturizers and sensitive-skin-friendly makeup removers, though reviewers note that some products may struggle with heavy makeup.

Clinique or Simple: which cleanser is better?

Simple offers a gentler cleanser on this page, as the Refreshing Facial Wash achieves an average fit for sensitive and acne-prone skin, while Clinique's all about clean receives warning and low fit levels for those skin types.

Which is more affordable, Clinique or Simple?

Simple is more affordable, as reviewers often mention price and value complaints for Clinique while noting Simple for its value-friendly moisturizers.

Clinique or Simple: which brand offers better options for mature skin?

Clinique is better for mature skin on this page, offering high Lovi fit options like All About Eyes and Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream. Reviewers also note its luxurious textures and glow effects.

Clinique or Simple: which brand has a higher price point according to reviewers?

Clinique has a higher price point according to reviewers, whereas Simple is noted for value and options.

Clinique or Simple: which brand contains niacinamide as a key ingredient?

Simple contains niacinamide as a key ingredient across the products on this page, while Clinique does not feature it.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clinique or Simple for oily skin?

Both Clinique and Simple have a High Lovi fit for oily skin. The products on this page for oily skin feature key ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide that help provide lightweight hydration.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Clinique or Simple: which moisturizer is better?

Simple tends to offer a better moisturizer option for dry and combination skin types, where its routines achieve a High Lovi fit compared to Clinique's Average fit. Reviewers note that the products on this page for Simple are value-friendly and lightweight, while Clinique faces frequent price complaints.

Clinique or Simple for sensitive skin?

Both Clinique and Simple fit sensitive skin at a High level. Simple does better for sensitive skin friendly options on this page.

Clinique or Simple for acne-prone skin?

Simple has a High Lovi fit for acne-prone skin, whereas Clinique has an Average fit on this page. Simple features niacinamide across 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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