Clarins vs Estee Lauder 2024 (The Definitive Guide)

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

Previously, we took a look at two French pharmacy titans: Avene and Vichy; today, we will be comparing Clarins vs Estee Lauder to help you figure out which brand better suits you!

This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate we earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Clarins vs Estee Lauder 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 Clarins making an appearance.

Estee Lauder is what we would call a 'faux French' brand, though, and did not make that particular list; however, that's not to say they don't also offer an incredible range of serums!

Serums are great, but there are few like Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair and Clarins' Double Serum. These two anti-ageing products have been hailed by celebrities and influencers alike for years. But how do they differ? Is one better for you than the other? Our Clarins Double Serum vs Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair comparison will help you decide.

Both serums have one common goal and purpose at the core of their designs: turning back time. They are packed with probiotics, hyaluronic acid, and a range of antioxidants that reduce the appearance of the visible signs of ageing brought about by daily life's environmental aggressors.

You will see that your skin rapidly becomes smoother, less wrinkled, and more radiant, as well as more even-toned from even just the first application of either serum. Fundamentally, though, there are a few notable differences.

Estee Lauder's serum contains an entourage of microbiotics including a powerful collagen-signalling ingredient known as tripeptide-32, which ensures your skin's youthful elasticity is preserved.

On the other hand, Clarins' is primarily plant-based, containing 21 of the most powerful anti-ageing plant extracts that work quickly and effectively to restore your youthful complexion.

The next biggest difference is the price tag; ounce for ounce, Estee Lauder's Night Repair serum does come in at a slightly better value for a medium-high end serum.

Ultimately, though, the smoking gun for us is that the Clarins Double Serum is not fragrance-free; whilst it won't affect *everyone*, fragrances in serums are known causes of irritation and triggers of breakouts for some people.

Erring on the side of caution, and also considering that both boast practically equal benefits, we prefer Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair serum.

Clarins vs Estee Lauder Foundation

When it comes to achieving that filterless-filter look, you need a great foundation. Something that's not too heavy, is easy to apply, has amazing coverage, and actually lasts the full span of a day (or night).

Clarins and Estee Lauder overperform on all fronts, offering some of the best and most popular foundation options on the market that you *need* to start using.

There are several worthy contenders, but the most notable and sought after foundation matchup is the Clarins Everlasting Foundation vs Estee Lauder Double Wear.

Both products are serious cult-favourites, and we'd even go as far as to say that there's a good chance that after trying these foundations you will never need to try any other.

The main distinctions between the two, though, are with regards to their finishes and packaging. While Clarins' comes with a nice, sleek glass bottle with a pump applicator, Estee Lauder's bottle is relatively clumsy and absent of a pump.

Finish-wise, Estee Lauder's is incredibly inconsistent; some days, it will randomly look and feel very heavy and cakey, which is bizarre. Clarins' on the other hand seems to have a much more consistent, matte—but not overly-so—finish. All in all, the Clarins Everlasting Foundation is our clear favourite here.

Clarins vs Estee Lauder Moisturizer

Clarins and Estee Lauder each boast incredible collections of face creams that assist you in unveiling your natural, healthy radiance. In fact, so much so that it is almost daunting 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.

A daily moisturizer should excel at two things: mitigating the effects of TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss), and protecting you from harsh environmental aggressors that we are all exposed to daily. There's no greater environmental aggressor than the sun; hence your daily moisturizer should include SPF.

The Estee Lauder Daywear SPF15 and the Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream are two holy grail face products fulfilling these two exact requirements, but deciding between the two can be tricky.

The Hydra-Essentiel moisturizer containing 'the leaf of life', 'hyaluronic acid', and 'organic kalanchoe extract' is entirely focused on moisturizing and triggering your skin's natural hydration system.

The DayWear moisturizer, on the other hand, is more of an anti-ageing solution as opposed to a daily moisturizer. The Estee Lauder DayWear also moisturizes very well, of course, and if you're looking for the best daily moisturizer with anti-ageing benefits then it is definitely the one for you!

But, we just feel that as far as daily moisturizers go, the Clarins Hydra-Essentiel is the better choice overall.

2024 update: Clarins' Hydra-Essentiel range has had an overhaul recently, with it now being known as Hydra-Essentiel [HA²]. The moisturizer is still available in an SPF15 edition, but just note that packaging may vary with some of the older versions still floating around.

Estee Lauder 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 one such eye cream from Clarins in our best French eye cream post; here, though, we will dive more in-depth, and compare it with Estee Lauder's fantastic alternative.

As continuations of a couple of their flagship ranges (Super Restorative* vs Advanced Night Repair), Clarins and Estee Lauder 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 Total Eye Lift and the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye 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

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 Clarins vs Estee Lauder guide!

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