5 Best Clinique Products on The Market [2023 Review & Buying Guide]

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Whether you delight in the creativity that comes with applying your makeup or choose to go bare-faced, your skin is what you present to the world every day, so it can be a bit of a bummer when you’re breaking out.

But how many times have you spent money on a product, thinking it will solve all your skincare woes, only to be sorely disappointed?

One brand that can always be relied upon is Clinique. Their reputation for using fuss-free formulas that are kind to your skin and extensively allergy tested before hitting the shelves means their popularity continues to grow. 

To highlight some of the best of what they have to offer, we’ve reviewed 5 of the best Clinique products to help you choose your next favorite from this respected brand. 

Not sure what type of skin type you have? No problem! Our buyer’s guide will walk you through some of the key concerns regarding your skin and what you’ll want to look out for. 

Top Picks For Best Clinique Products

1. Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator 

Our top pick is the Clinique Hydrating cream due to its extreme hydrating properties. It provides an immediate boost of moisture that is perfect for anyone suffering from dry skin, and it reduces dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles around your forehead and eye areas.

The fragrance-free gel-cream is compellingly refreshing on your skin, and the pink-colored cosmetic goes on clear without leaving an oily residue behind. 

You don’t have to worry about the benefits of this clinique moisture surge cream wearing off as it’s engineered to give you a double dose of hydration that gets more effective throughout the day, so it can protect your skin when you need it most.

Hydraulic acid provides the foundation of the cream which enhances its hydrating properties, and it’s formulated without parabens, fragrances, sulfates, talc, oil, alcohol, or any other harmful ingredients. 

Extensive testing shows that this auto-replenishing hydrator cream is so efficacious that it can be beneficial for up to 72 hours after application, even after you’ve washed your face! 

Pros 

• 72 hours of continuous hydration 
• Fragrance-free for no irritation 
• No oily residue 

Cons

• A pricier purchase

Last update on 2023-12-05 at 01:51 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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2. Clinique Liquid Facial Mild 6F37 Soap 

It’s time to ditch the complicated face wash serums that have an ingredients list as long as your arm, as Clinique’s dermatologists have found that they can’t compare to the effective cleansing properties of good old-fashioned soap. 

This Clinique liquid facial soap is great for dry combination skin, and it’s the first step in their 3-step skincare routine products, designed to gently yet thoroughly cleanse without resulting in dry, taut skin. 

Remove sweat and dirt by lathering this soft liquid soap in gentle, circular motions to loosen any dead skin or debris, and rinse to reveal refreshed, clean skin that’s prepped and ready for step 2 in this skincare routine – the Clinique clarifying lotion. Spoiler alert: you might spot this a little further down our list. 

It comes in a 6.7-ounce bottle which lasts much longer than you would expect and it’s mild formula works well without irritating your skin. 

Pros 

• Highly effective cleansing properties 
• Doesn’t dry out the skin

Cons 

• Some reported packaging issues where the product has leaked and had to be returned

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3. Clinique Even Better Makeup SPF15

Just like their skincare range, Clinique makeup is formulated to be kind to your skin. The SPF15 protects you against harmful UV-rays, although this is the minimum SPF you can find, and it also helps to prevent patchiness or skin discoloration in the future. 

If you’re looking for something that will even out your skin tone without looking cakey then look no further. Your skin will look more radiant than ever thanks to this foundation which works to brighten your overall complexion.

It applies smoothly thanks to its creamy, but not too thick formula. Use a foundation brush for best results and always blend outwards from the center of your face.

It could benefit from being more diverse in terms of shades, however, as there are only 10 different options to choose from which can make it difficult to find an exact match. 

Pros 

• Long-lasting wear
• SPF protection offered 

Cons 

• Difficult to find a correct color match due to the limited range of shades
• SPF could be higher for more advanced sun protection 

Last update on 2023-12-05 at 01:52 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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4. Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 

The second step in the Clinique 3-step skincare routine is this clarifying lotion, another skin-saver for anyone with dry-combination skin. 

Developed by dermatologists, it offers excellent exfoliation without being abrasive on your skin, leaving you fresh-faced and free of irritation. Skin looks brighter after using this liquid exfoliating lotion as it effectively lifts grime, dirt, and flakes of dry or dull skin. 

You’ll be perfectly prepped for the 3rd step in this skin routine, your moisturizer, which will be more effective once you’ve sloughed away the impurities on the surface of your skin. 

It’s reasonably priced considering the quality and it comes in two available sizes: 200ml and 400ml, which compared to other similar brands, is a lot more for your money. 

Some people find this clarifying lotion to be slightly drying due to the denatured alcohol content, so if your skin is more towards the dry end of the dry-combination type, maybe opt for the Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1 which provides more of a moisture boost. 

Pros 

• Value for money 
• Preps skin for moisturizer
• Skin brightening

Cons

• Can cause dryness 

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5. Clinique Super City Block

Incorporating this SPF40 lightweight daily moisturizer sunscreen into your routine is an easy way to protect your skin from the sun and other environmental damage. It doesn’t contain any irritants or ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates.

It provides a two-in-one combination of moisture and protection against harmful UV rays, and it doesn’t leave behind a greasy or oily residue like other SPF face sunscreens meaning it’s easy to apply. 

It isn’t a substitute for a tinted moisturizer and it won’t ‘fix’ any problem areas due to the lack of coverage, but it can seamlessly double as a primer under your makeup. 

For clearer complexions or anyone not worried about coverage, it can also be worn by itself to even out your skin tone creating a natural, even glow.

Pros 

• SPF40 
• No oily residue
• Suitable for all skin types

Cons 

• Doesn’t cover blemishes or other skin imperfections

Last update on 2023-12-05 at 01:51 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Clinique Products Buying Guide

About the Brand

Clinique first broke onto the skincare scene in 1968, brandishing its innovative and now iconic 3-Step Skin Care System. 

Developed by dermatologists, what was once a simple 3-step routine has now grown to be an entire range of skincare and makeup, suitable for both men and women as well as catering to a range of skin types. 

They’re one of the few brands remaining that is yet to take advantage of the social media age we’re living in, seemingly staying away from Instagram trends and retaining more of a classic approach to customer engagement. 

Despite the high street shopping struggles, Clinique is one store that keeps its customers coming back. 

That’s not to say their online sales aren’t booming – they are! And with more and more people choosing to avoid the frantic crowds of people you face at the shopping mall, it’s no wonder. 

It’s the quality of their products, however, that retains customers whilst also drawing in a new, younger audience. 

Clinique Clean Philosophy 

As the first skincare brand to develop a line with the expertise of dermatologists, Clinique has always maintained its initial approach to creating allergen and irritant-free products.

No parabens. No phthalates. No fragrance. Just happy skin.

Fragrance-Free

You might instinctively go to smell your skincare product when you first try it, but choosing a perfumed product can result in a sensitizing reaction. 

This is especially irritating for sensitive skin but has negative effects on all skin types. As a result, Clinique guarantees that its products are fragrance (and therefore irritant) free. 

Allergy Testing 

All of the products Clinique has to offer are extensively allergy tested to ensure that their customers are only using the safest, least reactive ingredients. 

Their team of dermatologists screens everything that’s used in their products before they reach the shelves to guarantee irritant-free products. 

While Clinique does not approve of testing on animals themselves, they cannot claim to be cruelty-free due to the sale of their products in China, where makeup and skincare products must be tested on animals by law before being deemed safe for sale.

Additionally, their parent company, Estée Lauder, tests on animals when the law requires it. 

Clinique’s Formula for Change

With climate change becoming an ever-growing concern, Clinique has joined their parent company, Estée Lauder in their aim to reach the following sustainability goal:

By 2025, between 75 – 100% of all packaging will be recyclable, reusable, or recoverable. This also means the post-consumer recycled (PCR) material in their packaging will increase to 50%. 

Skin Type

Now you understand the brand, it’s time to understand your skin’s needs. 

Sensitive, dry, oily, or combination – with so many different categories for your skin to fall under, it’s no wonder that many people struggle to find the right products to help with their concerns. 

Working out what type of skin you have can be tricky, but it’s worth finding out before you spend money on a product that likely won’t work for you. 

Different products are designed to deal with different concerns, so if you’re buying a cream that’s formulated for oily skin, for example, you probably won’t see any improvements on your dry skin. 

• Sensitive: Sensitive skin is one of the hardest to cater to, as it can be easily irritated and tends to react badly to a range of ingredients. To help find what works best for you, introduce new products one at a time and start with a patch test to isolate known irritants for your skin.

• Dry: Usually genetic, dry skin can feel taught and result in flaking. It’s best treated with gentle exfoliation, as this clears away dead skin cells and allows moisturizers to be more effective. 

• Oily: Excess amounts of oil can clog your pores which leads to breakouts, and can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which leaves dark spots on the skin after breakouts. Antibacterial exfoliators are a good choice for oily skin types due to their healing properties. 

• Combination: Dry cheeks and a moisturized t-zone, finding a product that caters to the competing needs of combination skin can be difficult. Try to use gentle exfoliators to balance the different zones, and opt for gel-like moisturizer as this absorbs well without leaving an oily residue. 

To further complicate things, the sensitivity of your skin will change over time as it can be affected by aging and external factors such as climate, diet, and hormones. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I determine my skin type? 

Use a sheet of blotting paper and pat it gently on different facial areas. Check to see how much oil is visible by holding it against the light. Dry skin will show up little to no oil, whereas lots of oil suggests you have oily skin.

For combination skin, oil is typically revealed on the blotter from the forehead and nose area.

Is SPF important?

YES! SPF is hugely important as it indicates how much a product will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

The minimum you’ll find is SPF15 which will provide a basic level of protection for a short period, but SPF30+ is what you should aim for.

When should I start using a good skincare routine? 

They say the best time to begin looking after your skin is during your earlier teenage years, but it’s never too late to start incorporating a few good skincare products into your routine.

What are you waiting for? 

Does Clinique Give Birthday Gifts?

Yes, Clinique gives birthday gifts. Join the FREE Clinique Smart Rewards loyalty program here to be eligible to receive the annual beauty benefit. Members also receive 15% off their first purchase, free shipping and free returns, free samples, early access to new launches, and exclusive offers.

Add your birthday information to your Account Profile as soon as you’ve created your account. Your birthday offer code will be emailed to you during your birthday month.