Clinique: skin according to a dermatologist
The brand began with a question a Vogue editor put to dermatologist Norman Orentreich: can great skin be created? He said yes, and ever since, Clinique has called itself "dermatologist guided." Today it is part of The Estée Lauder Companies. Its skincare is organized by skin type: the same cleanser comes in different formulas, from very dry to oily skin, and the basic routine is a three-step system.
Cleansing: balm and liquid soap
Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm is a lightweight makeup remover for face and eyes. It starts as a solid balm that turns into a silky oil as you apply it, quickly dissolving even stubborn makeup and sunscreen. It is made with safflower seed oil, rich in linoleic acid, which the brand recommends specifically for hard-to-remove makeup. It cleanses deeply and rinses off completely, without leaving skin greasy or dry. The balm is ophthalmologist tested and suitable for all skin types, and according to the brand it also conditions lashes and brows. You will also find it among our makeup removers.
All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap
All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap is step one of the dermatologist-developed Clinique system. It is a non-drying liquid face soap that minimizes surface flaking and leaves skin clean, comfortable and refreshed, never tight. After the soap comes step two, exfoliation with Clarifying Lotion, and finally step three, moisturizing. Other formulas are in our facial cleansers collection.
Clinique mascara: High Impact or Chubby Lash?
The choice starts with what you want for your lashes. If you need a waterproof formula, start with High Impact Waterproof, which builds instant volume without stiffening lashes and coats them in a water-resistant film. It is fragrance free and ophthalmologist tested, and the brand also recommends it for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. For intense color and maximum volume there is High Impact High-Fi Full Volume, an ultra-pigmented mascara enriched with dimensional fibers. Finally, if you prefer to build the effect coat by coat, Chubby Lash is an extreme volume mascara with a big brush, designed to thicken fine lashes, also fragrance free and allergy tested. The others are among our mascaras.
Face and cheeks: foundation and blush
Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup
Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup is an oil-free foundation with salicylic acid, which the brand offers to control oil and reduce the look of redness. On the Clinique website it is called Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup and is described as medium coverage with a natural matte finish, with ingredients such as lactobacillus ferment, red algae extract, licorice and caffeine. To apply it, the brand suggests shaking the bottle, putting a few drops on the back of your hand and blending with a brush or your fingertips, working from the center of the face out toward the hairline and jawline. Other formulas are among our foundations.
Blushing Blush Powder Blush
Blushing Blush is an oil-free powder blush with a silky, weightless formula and micronized pigments. The color is buildable with a brush and blends to the intensity you want, for a natural look on the cheekbones. More cheek colors are among our blushes.
Body care: Moisture Surge Body Hydrator
Moisture Surge Body Hydrator is a lightweight body lotion that absorbs quickly and delivers refreshing hydration. The brand recommends it for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and suggests using it morning and night. Other textures are among our body care products.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my Clinique foundation shade?
Start with your undertone. On the Clinique website, Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup shades, the US version of Anti-Blemish Solutions, carry a code that shows it, such as CN for cool neutral, and an online Virtual Shade Finder helps you match them. To apply, the brand suggests working from the center of the face toward the hairline and jawline.
What are Clinique products like?
Clinique products are skincare and makeup formulas developed with input from dermatologists, which the brand describes as allergy tested and 100% fragrance free. Skincare is organized by skin type, from very dry to oily, and starts from a basic three-step system.
How do you use Clinique Take the Day Off cleansing balm?
Use Take the Day Off balm on dry skin. Massage it over your face until it turns into an oil and dissolves makeup and sunscreen, then rinse with lukewarm water. For a double cleanse, the brand suggests following with a cleanser such as All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap.
Does Take the Day Off remove waterproof mascara?
Yes. According to the brand, Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm dissolves even the most stubborn waterproof eye makeup, as well as face makeup and sunscreen. Since it is ophthalmologist tested and also suitable for sensitive eyes, you can use it on both the face and the eye area, followed by a thorough rinse.
Who founded Clinique and when?
Clinique was born in 1968 in New York, within the Estée Lauder group, with dermatologist Norman Orentreich. The idea came from a question by a Vogue editor, who asked whether great skin could be created, and Orentreich said yes. Today the brand is part of The Estée Lauder Companies.
What is the Clinique 3-Step system?
The 3-Step system is the basic Clinique routine. You start by cleansing with All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap, move on to exfoliating with Clarifying Lotion and finish by moisturizing. Each step comes in different formulas by skin type, so you build the routine around how dry or oily your skin is.
Which All About Clean soap should I choose?
It depends on your skin type: All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap comes in three formulas. Extra Mild is for very dry skin, Mild for dry to combination skin and Oily Skin Formula for combination to oily skin. All three cleanse without drying and are step one of the Clinique system.
Which Clinique mascara is best for me?
If you want a waterproof formula that also suits sensitive eyes and contact lenses, choose High Impact Waterproof. For intense color there is High Impact High-Fi Full Volume, ultra-pigmented and enriched with dimensional fibers. Chubby Lash, finally, builds volume in layers: it is an extreme volume mascara with a big brush, fragrance free and ophthalmologist tested.
Which Clinique foundation is best for oily skin?
For oily skin, the Clinique foundation is Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup, oil free with salicylic acid, medium coverage and a natural matte finish. The brand offers it to control oil and reduce the look of redness, and its ingredients also include lactobacillus ferment, red algae, licorice and caffeine.
Which Clinique body moisturizer is good for sensitive skin?
For the body, Clinique offers Moisture Surge Body Hydrator, a lightweight lotion the brand recommends for all skin types and safe for sensitive skin. It absorbs quickly and delivers refreshing hydration, and according to the brand's directions it is applied morning and night.
