Clarins, French luxury skincare since 1954
Clarins was founded in 1954 in Paris, when Jacques Courtin opened his first beauty institute on Rue Tronchet in the heart of the city. He later officially changed his name to Jacques Courtin-Clarins and made his vision the brand's core belief: that beauty should be real, sensorial, and rooted in nature rather than artificial shortcuts.
From the very beginning, Clarins specialised in combining plant extracts with scientific research, an approach that came to be known as phytocosmetics. The brand's laboratories are considered pioneers in plant-based cosmetic science, and Clarins was in fact the first brand to add plant extracts to skincare formulas at all. That philosophy still guides every formula that leaves Clarins today, seventy years on.
The oil that invented an entirely new category
In 2015, Clarins launched its lip oil as the first of its kind on the market, built on seventy years of experience with plant-based oils. The format was groundbreaking: an oil that delivered both care and shine in a single step, and one that laid the foundation for an entire product category now found across most major beauty brands.
The success became global. According to Clarins, one bottle sells somewhere in the world every eight seconds, a figure that says a great deal about how well the formula has been received by people with very different needs, skin types and style preferences.
The formula is built from 93 percent naturally derived ingredients, of which 30 percent are nourishing plant oils: organic jojoba oil, hazelnut oil and organic rosehip seed oil, complemented by vitamin E as an antioxidant. Jojoba oil closely resembles the skin's own sebum and helps reinforce the lips' protective barrier, hazelnut oil softens quickly without feeling heavy, and rosehip oil adds moisture to dry, sensitive areas.
Two shades for different moods and looks
At SKNLÛX you'll find Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #04 Pitaya in a fresh, coral-toned shade that gives the lips a sun-kissed, juicy shine, perfect for anyone who wants colour without it feeling heavy or opaque. Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #03 Cherry offers a deeper, more classic cherry tone instead, one that works as well as a subtle everyday shine as it does as a statement in a more elaborate evening look.
Both shades share the same nourishing base, the same lightweight, non-sticky texture, and the same ability to melt into the lips' natural temperature on application. The only difference lies in the colour, which makes it easy to choose Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #04 Pitaya or Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #03 Cherry according to mood rather than performance, since the care benefit is identical in both.
How to use your lip oil day to day
The built-in applicator makes the oil easy to work with, whether the goal is a quick top-up on the go or a more considered evening look:
- Apply Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #04 Pitaya or Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #03 Cherry directly to clean lips using the built-in applicator, ideally in thin layers that build shine without feeling sticky. An even application gives the best result and allows the oil to melt naturally into the lips' texture.
- Wear the oil on its own for a natural, nourishing shine that lasts throughout the day and feels just as comfortable during the day as in the evening. The lightweight consistency means it can be reapplied whenever needed without ever building up a heavy or uneven layer.
- Layer a thin coat over lipstick to add extra depth, shine and a more multi-dimensional finish. The combination also softens matte lipstick formulas that can otherwise feel dry against the skin.
- Use the oil as an overnight treatment before bed to give dry or chapped lips extra nourishment by morning. The concentrated formula has time to work overnight and leaves lips softer and more hydrated on waking.
Who is the oil right for?
The formula is developed for all skin types and lip types, making it a natural first choice for anyone who wants to combine care and makeup in a single product rather than several separate steps. It works just as well for those who prefer a discreet, hydrated shine day to day as for those who want to layer it over lipstick for a more pronounced finish.
Since Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #04 Pitaya and Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #03 Cherry share the same nourishing formula, it's just as easy to own both and switch between them depending on season, outfit or mood. Many choose the oil as their first introduction to Clarins' skincare philosophy, thanks to the low barrier to entry and the immediately noticeable difference in how the lips feel from the very first use.
Responsible beauty, part of Clarins' identity
Beyond its research into plant-based ingredients, Clarins has long built a body of work around responsible sourcing. The brand partners with fair trade supply chains in several locations worldwide, including India, Madagascar, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, where local farmers receive better compensation and technical know-how in exchange for the plant-based raw materials Clarins uses in its formulas.
One concrete example is the partnership around shea nuts in Burkina Faso, where Clarins' fair trade dealings help protect local shea parks and improve access to water for the farming communities involved. In 2019, Clarins also raised the sustainability premium paid to partner farmers by 47 percent. It's worth noting that this is a broad, group-level commitment rather than a certification tied to any single product, but it offers a clear picture of the direction the brand has chosen.
A touch of Parisian luxury for everyday life
Built on seventy years of plant-based research, the lip oil is more than a source of shine, it is a reminder of the French ability to blend science with sensuality. Whether you choose the fresh tone of Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #04 Pitaya or the classic cherry tone of Clarins Lip Comfort Oil #03 Cherry, you get a share of the same Parisian craftsmanship that has made Clarins one of the most trusted names in beauty worldwide.
