There’s a good chance that you have bought a buttery yellow tube of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Lotion at some point in your life. Or perhaps when you were a child, you saw a series of yellow, green and purple Clinique bottles on your mother’s bathroom vanity. Clinique is a skincare brand that has been around for decades, and is synonymous with a clinical approach to beauty. Here’s a closer look at Clinique, some of its best-selling products, and is it right for you?
OUR TOP SKINCARE PICKS
| Rank | Brand | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrot & Stick | Review | |||||
| 2 | Formulyst | Review | |||||
| 3 | Skinceuticals | Review | |||||
| - | Clinique |
Is Clinique Worth The Money?
A common question about this brand is if the products are worth the cost.
In our opinion, Clinique products are worth the money, but there are other brands that deliver greater value.
One brand is Carrot & Stick, a clean skincare brand that perfectly balances the gentle nurturing of plants with the powerful results of innovative science.
What’s Inside Clinique Skincare?
Here’s a closer look at the active ingredients commonly used in Clinique skincare products. Vitamin C, retinol, and peptides make up the core ingredients for the Clinique skincare line. These ingredients should all be part of your skincare routine.
Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
According to the Indian Dermatology Online Journal clinical studies have shown that the topical use of vitamin C increases collagen production in both young and aged human skin. By increasing the amount of collagen in the skin, signs of aging will be diminished and the skin will appear more firm.
Vitamin C is also known for its skin-brightening effects.
It’s in Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%, which is formulated to be mixed with your favorite moisturizer to add a boost of radiance.
But our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.
Peptides
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness.
While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.
This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size.
Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum contains the brand’s proprietary CL1870 Peptide Complex, which is said to help fortify skin’s dermal structure to visibly reduce lines and wrinkles.
We recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin.
Retinol
Recommended by dermatologists and skin experts, retinol is the gold standard of anti-aging ingredients. It works by promoting skin cell turnover and stimulating collagen synthesis, which in turn improves skin tone, unclogs pores, and slows down the formation of lines and wrinkles.
While retinol provides many benefits to the skin, it’s also known to cause side effects like skin dryness and irritation.
It’s in Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment. It’s infused with 0.3% retinol to help speed up cell turnover and visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Use retinoids at night. We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation.
What is Clinique?
The idea for Clinique was sparked in 1967 article, after US Vogue published an article called “Can Great Skin Be Created?” The story featured Manhattan dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich, whose beauty philosophy was based on the idea that anyone could have good skin if they followed a proper skincare routine. The article caught the eye of Evelyn Lauder (daughter-in-law of famed beauty mogul Estée Lauder), who joined forces with Orentreich and US Vogue editor Carol Phillips to develop a skin care brand.
The result was Clinique, which launched in 1968. It was one of the first brands to bring a dermatological approach to skincare. What made Clinique different is that it avoided any ingredients that could potentially irritate the skin or cause allergies, such as fragrance. Even today, Clinique products are free from parabens, phthalates and fragrance.
Another factor that made Clinique unique is that instead of taking a one-size fits all approach to the products, the Clinique line was meant to evoke a one-on-one consultation that patients would get at Dr. Orentreich’s practice. The company created the “Clinique Computer,” which was a non-electronic display box with sliding knobs that helped customers pinpoint their skin type.
The idea was a hit and now Clinique is one of the best-selling skincare brands in the world. The customization concept lives on in products like Clinique iD Custom-Blend Hydrator Collection. Customers pick their hydration base and add a cartridge to address their main skin concern, such as uneven skin tone or fine lines. Clinique is also known for its generous “gift with purchase” policy.
What Does Clinique Sell?
Clinique sells a wide range of makeup, skincare and fragrance, as well as a men’s line and an acne collection. Here’s a closer look.
Skincare
Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm – This cleanser transforms from a solid balm into a silky oil upon application.
Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly – An offshoot of the popular Dramatically Different moisturizer, this formula is an oil free, lightweight gel.
Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator – This gel-cream contains hyaluronic acid and activated aloe water.
Targeted Treatments
Repairwear Laser Focus – This serum is designed to smooth and improve skin texture while plumping up fine lines.
Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam – Packed with acne fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and acetyl glucosamine, this cleanser can be used twice a day.
Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector – The active ingredient in this dark spot corrector is gyokuro green tea.
Makeup
Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 – The Even Better foundation is formulated to give medium coverage while helping to improve the skin. The foundation has a creamy texture.
Clinique Sweet Pots – Two compartments in this lip pot house different products- a sugar-smoothing scrub on one side, and a sheer, tinted moisturizing balm on the other.
True Bronze – This pressed powder bronzer is designed to give a sun kissed glow.
Fragrance
Clinique Happy – The brand’s original fragrance has bright citrus notes of grapefruit and bergamot.
Aromatics Elixir Perfume Spray – This scent is more complex, with notes of rose, jasmine and ylang ylang.
Men’s
Clinique For Men Face Scrub – This exfoliator should be used pre-shave to prep the skin.
Clinique For Men 2 in 1 Skin Hydrator + Beard Conditioner – A multi-purpose product that is designed to improve the skin and soften beards.
What is the Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System?
The concept behind the 3-Step Skin Care System is a basic one that involves these essential steps: cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing. Clinique’s philosophy is that each step helps the skin prepare for the next step. Within the 3-Step system, each Clinique’s product is organized by skin type. Very dry is Type 1, Dry/Combo is Type 2, Combination Oily is Type 3, and Oily is Type 4.
What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2023?
What Are Some Best-Selling Clinique Products?
Dramatically Different Moisturizer – This yellow moisturizer is Clinique’s best known product. According to the company, one bottle of it is sold every 15 seconds.
Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips – The Take the Day Off collection includes cleansers and this makeup remover which is designed to be “tugless.”
Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream With Probiotic Technology – This cream is designed to calm skin and reduce redness.
Clinique Pep Start – The Pep Start collection is a brightly colored group of multi-purpose products, such as an exfoliating cleanser, and a hydrating lip balm.
How Much Are Clinique Products?
Clinique products are on the pricier side, given they are sold in department stores. The Repairwear Laser Focus serum retails for $80, and the Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is $78. Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser With Probiotic Technology is $23.
Where Are Clinique Products Sold?
Clinique is sold in more than 135 stores worldwide as well as in department stores such as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, as well as beauty stores including Ulta and Sephora.
Is Clinique Cruelty Free?
Its parent company, Estée Lauder, says “The Estée Lauder Companies does not test on animals and we never ask others to do so on our behalf. If a regulatory body demands it for its safety or regulatory assessment, an exception can be made.”
Do Clinique Products Work?
When evaluating whether or not a product works, remember that everyone’s skin can react differently to the same product. One person’s miracle product could do nothing for someone else, or perhaps make them break out.
Clinique is a brand that has been around for decades and has its loyal fans who appreciate the brand’s simple approach to beauty. A few of its products have generated plenty of buzz, such as the Chubby Sticks and Black Honey lipstick, as well as City Block. Clinique has also scooped up plenty of awards from beauty editors. Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10% received an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2018. In 2019, Clinique iD Custom-Blend Hydrator Collection was nominated for a Beauty Game Changer of the Year award from British Vogue. Clinique’s Even Better Glow was awarded a Beauty Style Award from The Times of London in 2018.
Customer reviews are largely positive. Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel has over 3,000 reviews on Sephora, with a 4.5 star rating and over 70,000 “loves.” Reviews include “This stuff is amazing. I have EXTREMELY oily skin and this product works wonders! My face doesn’t get as oily as before. I deff recommend this!” as well as “This is the best moisturizer for acne prone skin and because its a gel, its non greasy and sheer. Love this stuff! And 4oz defintely lasts!”
Users who didn’t like the product cited that it irritated their skin, or didn’t do anything for them. “I wanted to love this….I really did. Upon using it for about 5 days I started breaking out all over my face….in places I usually never break out. I am very annoyed…” and “I’ve literally never had anything break me out so terribly. Tried it out for about 2 weeks to see if the break outs were maybe caused by my skin just adjusting to the new product but that wasn’t it. Bought it because of the reviews but I’m very disappointed.”
Clinique’s Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator garnered 735 reviews on Sephora, with an average 4.5 stars and over 30,000 “loves.” Those who didn’t love it said “It made me break out and have very bad acne. Would not recommend if you have sensitive skin” while satisfied consumers praised its lightweight hydration. “I have very dry skin due to eczema, especially around my mouth. This cream made my skin soft and as smooth as glass. Now when I wear makeup, I look beautiful for once 🙂 Love this stuff and their “Pretty Easy” eyeliner.”
What Are Some Alternatives to Clinique?
There’s no need to compromise when it comes to finding skincare that’s effective and safe.
If you’re looking for effective skincare products that skip harmful toxins, one brand we recommend is Carrot & Stick.
Carrot & Stick is committed to creating plant-derived formulas that deliver extraordinary results without relying on toxic chemicals or standard preservatives.
Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the gentle nurturing of plants with innovative science.
Monica Martin Original review: Apr 14, 2023.
I used Clinique for years. 3 step mainly but I did cream cleanser and 7 day exfoliator sometimes. I had to stop Clinique because it stopped doing anything for me. 10 years later I tried again and I just got the 3 step after doing the beauty quiz thing. I’ve been using for almost 2 weeks and as someone with combination skin this made my skin oily! I tried using less and then more. I changed the moisturizer and exfoliating lotion out. Still oily after 2-3 hours. I guess my skin doesn’t like Clinique anymore if it ever did.