Everything You Need To Know About Clarins

There are some things the French do best - food, protests - and yes, skincare! French brand Clarins was launched in Paris in 1954, and is now considered the No.1 prestige skincare brand in Europe.

And for good reason - since the 1950s, the Clarins brand has reformed high-street skincare and changed the way we think about beauty. From their famous Double Serum to their new My Clarins range for young skin, Clarins remain ahead of the game and consistently keep their competitors on their toes.

In this guide, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about Clarins: the history of the brand, the best Clarins beauty products, and why Clarins is a skincare brand that you can trust.

A Brief History of Clarins

Launched in 1954 in Paris by Jacques Courtin-Clarins, the Clarins Institute reformed the way we think about beauty and skincare. At the Clarins Institute, skin health was the priority, not make-up.

Offering face massages to his female clients to help boost circulation and firm the skin, the ethos at Clarins was simple: natural beauty before everything else. The importance of using natural ingredients was also key to the Clarins philosophy: when they started producing skincare products and body care products, the formulas were made up of plant-based ingredients and minerals.

This ethos remains central to the brand to this day: Clarins still prioritises natural ingredients in all of their skincare products, cosmetics and perfumes. And their philosophy remains unchanged: feeling beautiful in your own skin begins not with make-up, but with skincare.

What do Clarins sell?

Although the Clarins Institute started out as a small spa, the Clarins range of today has now expanded to include body care, skincare, cosmetics and fragrances. You can buy the following products within the Clarins range:

• Cleansers
• Toners
• Moisturisers
• Serums
• Masks
• Beauty balms
• Body creams
• Exfoliators
• Fragrances
• Foundation
• Powder
• Lipstick and lipgloss
• Mascara
• Blusher
• Men’s skincare
• Fragrances
• Anti-ageing skincare

What are the best Clarins products?

Since their founding, Clarins have been consistently awarded for their innovation, clean skincare products and brand ethos. Here are some of the top-selling and award-winning Clarins products that you can buy today:

Double Serum

One of the best-selling and iconic beauty products synonymous with the Clarins brand is their famous Double Serum. The formula has evolved numerous times since it was first sold in 1985, but contains 21 powerful plant extracts that can help to firm the skin while reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots.

Clarins Flash Balm

Flash balm is another product synonymous with the French brand - and it can be used for pretty much anything. If you see new skincare brands selling “all-in-one” skin balms that can target everything from dry skin to chapped lips, you can thank Clarins for their early innovation.

Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector

Even when it comes to their lip products, Clarins prefers to focus on natural enhancement. This is why their Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector has been such a hit for the brand since they introduced it. Offering hydration and a light, natural tint, this Clarins favourite has even been spotted in the hands of the Duchess of Cambridge.

Clarins Nutri-Lumière Day Cream

Early innovators in anti-ageing skincare, Clarins’ Nutri-Lumière Day Cream is another one of the brand’s top-selling skincare products. Formulated with plant extracts and extracts from horse chestnut, this day cream has developed something of a cult following amongst skincare fans.

Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion

One of the most popular body lotions on the high street, Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion has been a fan favourite for decades. Clarins even revamped the formula in 2021, and yet this moisturiser still remains as beloved as it was when it was first introduced to the Clarins line. It uses a blend of shea butter and botanicals to provide deep hydration and supple, smooth skin.

Why Clarins is a trustworthy brand

With so many skincare brands and influencers flogging skincare products at every opportunity, here’s why you can trust Clarins for high-quality, natural skincare:

The Clarins brand has never been sold

While lots of other big-brand beauty names have sold their companies or merged with larger ones, Clarins remains the property of the Clarins family. This means that the final decisions on innovation, new products and new formulas remain in the hands of the original innovator’s family.

Focus on natural ingredients

Despite technological advances making it easier than ever to pump skincare ingredients full of transformative chemicals, the Clarins brand remains focused on natural alternatives. The brand’s commitment to the power of plant extracts remains central to the brand’s modern-day ethos, so you can be sure that you’re using safe products when you buy the Clarins label.

Innovative products

Clarins products are constantly evolving - for example, the formula of their famous Double Serum, one of their highest-selling products, has changed twice since it was introduced in 1985. Being committed to constant innovation means that you won’t miss out on new skincare technology, even when buying one of Clarins’ oldest or most-loved products.

100% made in France

Another marker of trust for the Clarins company: their skincare products, cosmetics and fragrances are all manufactured in France. Why is this reassuring? Put simply, the EU enforces strict regulations about what can and cannot be used in skincare and beauty products. By keeping their manufacturing process in France, Clarins demonstrate not just an acknowledgement of their French roots, but their commitment to creating safe skincare and beauty products for their customers.

All beauty products work differently. Some skin types might be more receptive to Clarins products than others, while results may differ from person to person.

However, the evidence - along with the brand’s enduring popularity - does seem to suggest that Clarins brand works. Clarins have won several accolades in beauty magazines, including from Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Elle magazine.

They’re also considered the number 1 prestige beauty brand in Europe - what more could you ask for?