Caudalie vs Clarins 2024 (The Definitive Guide)

We're positive you've seen Caudalie and Clarins on the shelves at your local drugstore before. But which one should you choose?

Previously, we took a look at two haircare titans: Kerastase and Oribe; today, we will be comparing Caudalie vs Clarins to help you figure out which French pharmacy brand better suits you!

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Caudalie vs Clarins Serum

A serum is a lightweight moisturiser that penetrates deeper to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients to the skin. We've already covered what constitutes the best French serums, with both Clarins and Caudalie making appearances there, but keep scrolling to see their best sellers compared side by side here!

Serums are great, but there are few like Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum and Clarins' Double Serum. These two are holy grails in their own right, but each for entirely different reasons and purposes, so you'll want to make sure you pick the right one for you.

While the Double Serum acts on the appearance of ageing skin, the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum works more to perfect your complexion by diminishing the appearance of dark spots, acne scars, sunspots and uneven skin tone. The primary overlap between them is the result: a smooth, youthful complexion and a healthy, glowing radiance.

Despite being fundamentally different in purpose (i.e. anti-ageing versus complexion correcting), the overlapping intent means the list of similarities between the two is surprisingly long. Both are primarily plant-based and of natural origin, with Clarins' containing 21 of the most effective anti-ageing plant extracts and Caudalie's featuring Olive Squalane and Viniferine for their radiance stimulating powers. We're pleased to mention they're both free from parabens, sulfates, essential oils, silicone and other nasties. Neither, however, are free from fragrance.

Both share a very similar price point of around $80 (which we might add is oh so worth it), both are incredibly popular (we're talking 1000s-of-rave-reviews popular), and both are more than suitable for all skin types. The only differences of note are their fragrances (the Double Serum has a floral scent, whereas the Vinoperfect Serum has a fresh, citrusy scent), and as previously mentioned, the fact that the Double Serum is an anti-ageing serum, whereas the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum is a complexion correcting serum.

From a purely anecdotal standpoint, our preference lies with Caudalie's Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, but we can confidently conclude that you will love whichever one you choose

Caudalie vs Clarins Moisturizer

Caudalie and Clarins each boast incredible collections of face creams that help you to unveil your natural, beautiful radiance. However, it can be a daunting task to try to figure out which collection to choose from to even begin comparing, let alone from which brand. This is a good problem to have, though; allow us to guide you through the best of the best.

For the sake of having concrete examples, we’re going to be comparing Caudalie’s and Clarins’ best-sellers: the Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Intense Hydration Moisturizer and the Clarins Hydra Essentiel. Keep in mind that the similarities and differences between the two are reflected across all of their alternative moisturisers, so if you see something that you like about one of them, chances are you will also like that thing about the others (which we will leave links to in our "Top Picks" section).

2024 update: Clarins' Hydra-Essentiel range has had an overhaul recently, with it now being known as Hydra-Essentiel [HA²]. It's not entirely clear how much - if at all - the formulation has changed, but the marketing seems to suggest that there is now a "Hyaluronic Acid duo", which we've inferred to mean a crosspolymer with different molecular weights for more layered hydration. Just something extra to bear in mind while reading the comparison.

The similarities between the two run quite deep, just as they did with the serums, especially with both being fundamentally natural and plant-based. That said, Caudalie’s confidence-boosting strict ethical charter and marginally lower price points just ticks those extra couple of boxes for us, and so the Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Intense Hydration Moisturizer is our final pick of the two.

Caudalie vs Clarins Eye Cream

High-quality eye cream is the *ultimate* solution to dark circles, puffiness and visible signs of aging around the eyes. We have already touched on two such eye creams from Caudalie and Clarins in our best French eye cream post; here, though, we will be comparing them side by side.

As continuations of a couple of their flagship ranges (Super Restorative* vs Resveratrol-Lift), Caudalie and Clarins boast contenders for the best eye creams available on the market. They are, of course, on the higher end of the price scale, but they are oh so worth it. Allow us to introduce the Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate and the Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Firming Eye Gel creams.

*2024 update: We previously reviewed the now discontinued Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate. This has since been superseded by Clarins Total Eye Lift, which we have updated the article with.

First and foremost, both products are absolute cult-favourites. You will struggle to find many other product pages on the internet with as many 5 star ratings and rave reviews as these have, and it's not hard to see why when they are *both* proven to reveal a bright, hydrated, visibly revived and youthful look from temple to temple.

Whether your concern is with regards to puffiness, dark circles, wrinkles, or dullness, either of these products will be a winner for you. But, if we *had* to choose, our preference lies with the Clarins Total Eye Lift. And, for once, we're going to let other people's reviews do all the talking, as we believe there is no better recommendation here than the popular opinion of thousands of happy customers who have tried and loved it for themselves. Read the reviews on Amazon

Caudalie vs Clarins Top Picks

The consensus with regards to the two brands as a whole follows neatly from the inferences we drew from the moisturizer comparison. To reiterate, you will probably prefer the Caudalie brand as a whole if you have specific skin concerns such as sensitivity and intolerances, whereas you will definitely prefer Clarins if you are simply looking to improve your skin's overall quality and appearance.

So as not to compare apples to oranges, this article comprised comparisons of similar, popular, best-selling products from the two brands. To round off our review, though, here are our recommendations for the alternative skincare lines that Caudalie and Clarins offer.

Other Caudalie Ranges

For dehydrated skin:
Try the Vinosource-Hydra Range

For ageing skin:
Try the Resveratrol-Lift Range

For acne and oily, blemish-prone skin:
Try the Vinopure Range

Other Clarins Ranges

For mature skin:
Try the Super Restorative Range

For skin showing signs of stress:
Try the Multi-Active Range

For skin needing extra hydration:
Try the Hydra-Essentiel Range

Work in progress

You have been reading a post that we are constantly updating. Be sure to bookmark this page, subscribe, and come back later to see additions to the definitive Caudalie vs Clarins guide!

This article was originally published on December 23rd 2021, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on January 25th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.