If you have wandered down the skincare or makeup aisle of your local department store, there’s a good chance that you’ve seen or at least heard of the skincare and makeup titan Clinique. If not, then today is your lucky day because we’re going to introduce you to not only the brand but also give a rundown of the best Clinique products out there.
For those unaware, Clinique is a homegrown, American company that creates luxury skincare, cosmetics, toiletries, and the like. Despite being on the higher end of your budget, Clinique is definitely worth every penny.
They are globally known for providing top-notch skincare and beauty products for all ages, skin tones, and types. When you’re a beauty world giant like Clinique, most of your products are bound to be good, if not great.
That said, narrowing it down to the best can be pretty challenging, but we’ve got the best Clinique products set out. Ready? Let’s take a look!
Best Clinique Products Reviewed
1. Clinique Moisture Surge
This pink-toned moisturizer provides up to 72-hours of hydration for your skin. Hyaluronic acid, well-known for its hydrating skincare benefits, is the star ingredient in this hydrating elixir.
Wondering what this ‘moisture surge’ is? Clinique implemented an auto-replenishing technology into this moisturizer that assists your skin in rehydrating itself throughout the day.
This soothing gel is perfect for mature skin, as it will be the perfect solution to any of those horrid lines and wrinkles. This moisturizer is paraben-, fragrance-, oil-, and alcohol-free. Plus, the calming activated aloe water helps give a dewy glow for any great day.
It can be used as either a day or a night cream. But if you want to use it as a day cream, don’t forget to put on your sunscreen.
2. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +
Here is Clinique’s solution to that scaly, wintery dry skin a lot of people suffer from annually. This lightweight lotion is specifically formulated for very dry skin. Dermatologists worked hard to develop this formula. And they’ve made sure that it absorbs into the skin with lightning speed.
It’s a silky feeling cream that helps to keep your skin barrier intact and prevent moisture loss. Your ever-dry skin will love you, and you will love how smooth and radiant your face is after application.
Although Clinique is known for its high-end products, you really get the best bang for your buck with this lotion. Hyaluronic acid, alongside cucumber fruit extract, makes another appearance on this list. Anybody who experiences harsh winters, or otherwise very dry skin won’t want to pass on this holy-grail lotion.
3. Clinique Smart Night Custom-Repair Moisturizer
In case you haven’t gotten the gist of this list yet, Clinique really does moisturizers. And they do them well. This night cream is perfect for any and all skin types. There are three different formulas for you to choose based on what your skin needs.
Apply all over your face and neck as your last step in your nighttime routine for silky soft skin when you wake up. It’s oil-free, so no pore-clogging while you doze off.
This is great for minimizing many signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. This moisturizer visibly reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles while also firming and brightening your skin overnight.
You can hit snooze if you want – you’ll wake up with glowing, firm, and bright skin ready for a hydrated day (it helps retain your skin’s moisture by strengthening its skin barrier!) Unfortunately, this is one of the pricier items on this list, but it definitely does the job.
4. Clinique Superdefence SPF 20
Seems as though we’ve got almost every type of moisturizer on this list – and here’s another up to bat! Sun protection is arguably one of the most important parts of any skincare regimen.
The sun’s rays are extremely harmful, causing lines, wrinkles, and even skin cancer – ick! Clinique’s got you covered. This moisturizer has a sun protection factor of 20, which is a perfect amount to keep you protected.
This skin-shield is also allergy-tested and fragrance-free. And it absorbs quickly into the skin. Also, it’s loaded with antioxidants while still maintaining a silky finish. It’s lightweight, making it perfect for reapplication – not something that many other similar creams have the benefit of.
5. Clinique Liquid Facial Soap
We’ve pretty much established the hydration prowess that Clinique has with their moisturizers, but did you know they’ve got some top-notch facial cleansers? This mild soap is a great example of that. It’s great for dry skin, providing a super gentle wash for your face without stripping the natural oils off.
Clinique’s team of dermatologists developed this cleanser with care. A little goes a long way with this pump-dispensing cleanser, and it’s great for daily use. Despite not lathering, it does a great job of removing dirt and debris without depriving your skin of hydration and moisture. Have another skin type? They’ve got formulations for extra-dry and oily skin too, so nobody’s left out of this quality cleanser!
6. Clinique All About the Eyes Serum
Taking care of your eyes is one of the most important parts of any skincare routine. If you don’t already, you definitely need to include this step! Clinique has a great serum that is specifically formulated for the eye area, in this easy to use roller stick.
Boasting ingredients like caffeine, antioxidants, and botanicals this eye booster is easy to apply both in the morning or on the go. It’s formulated without parabens or sulfates and is ophthalmologist tested – a comfort knowing what’s going on around your eyes.
Pop it into the fridge before using for a cooling, extra dose of depuffing!
7. Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector & Optimizer
Now we’re heading into a fusion of skincare and cosmetics. Color correctors are great at balancing out skin tone and evening out any unwanted redness you may have. They generally have a greenish hue that works its magic, which is perfect for countering your discoloration.
This product does two-in-one – it covers but also primes and protects the skin to prevent it from developing future dark spots. It’s safe and comfortable enough that it can be used twice a day, and you need as little as one pump per use. Great for any skin type or tone, it’s a bonus product to add to your daily routine.
8. Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing Gel
Pimples and zits are anyone’s worst nightmare. You take such good care of your skin, take off your makeup every night yet they still appear. That’s where this clearing gel with salicylic acid comes in.
Salicylic acid is one of the top ingredients when it comes to getting rid of those pesky bumps. And you definitely want to have a product that contains this magic ingredient.
Clinique’s answer to acne comes in a gel form, and while it’s on the pricier side, it’s a thin and light product that can help minimize the appearance and intensity of breakouts. As with any acid, you definitely want to do a patch test first to make sure your skin doesn’t react negatively.
9. Clinique Even Better Makeup
The name is a little confusing, but there’s no kidding around when it comes to this foundation. This medium-coverage, natural finish foundation comes in a healthy range of shades and provides SPF 15 for a sun-protecting boost.
The Even Better line by Clinique is non-streaking and won’t settle into your fine lines and creases. Not to mention that it’s resistant to sweat and humidity – freshen yourself up before that workout if you want.
Further ingredients such as vitamin C and antioxidants provide continued nourishment even after completing your skincare routine. It has a lightweight feel to it so you don’t have to worry about being cake-faced all day. Additionally, it’s non-acnegenic so you definitely won’t break out because of this foundation.
10. Clinique High Impact Mascara
A swipe of mascara is one of the easiest, and quickest, ways to up your everyday look. You get an instant wide-eyed, awake, and fresh-faced look. Clinique’s High Impact Mascara provides a long-lasting look with high-volume and great length.
The black is intense and rich, which will really make your eyes pop. This formula isn’t waterproof, but they have another version that is.
You don’t have to worry about clumping, smudging, or flaking, making this the perfect finisher to any look. Put a few swipes on at the end of your routine, with or without eyeliner, and you’re ready to start your day!
11. Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
Cleansing balms are one of the best ways to take your makeup off at the end of the day, and should absolutely be your first step to ensure your face is squeaky clean for your serums and creams.
They are generally more gritty than normal makeup removers, giving you confidence that you’re getting the foundation out from all of your pores.
This Clinique Cleansing Balm is their #1 makeup remover for a reason! Transforming from a solid balm into a soft, oily consistency upon contact with your skin, this white balm is unscented and popular with people who have sensitive skin.
Give your face some TLC as you gently massage it onto your face, and rinse with some warm water. Follow it up with your nightly cleanser and any additional toners, serums, acids, and creams and you’ll be set for the night.
Key Ingredients in Clinique Products
Clinique has a few ingredients in their products that you may or may not have heard of, so here’s a little breakdown of some names you’ve come across on this list and what they do for your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid is a game-changing ingredient that you’ll read in almost any super-charged, hydrating moisturizer. It’s an acid that targets dull, dehydrated skin while improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Also acting as an important ingredient in pausing the clock on your skin, hyaluronic acid helps to provide a healthy, dewy look to your skin.
Activated Aloe Water is a key ingredient in those Clinique products that assist with any dry or dullness of the skin. It’s a great plant extract that assists your skin in absorbing and retaining water (hydration), so it’s an important ingredient in moisturizers.
Vitamin C is crucial for your body, but also beneficial for your skin when applied topically. It targets dull, uneven skin and can improve the effect that fatigue has on your skin. This antioxidant helps to brighten dull skin, but also protect it to show off your natural, healthy glow.
Finally, Salicylic Acid is an acne-fighting machine! It covers skin concerns such as all kinds of acne, including blackheads, and also helps improve the radiance of your skin. It’s gentle on the skin, and not as much of an irritant as other acids that help target the same skin concerns.
Conclusion
Whether you’re new to Clinique, or an avid life-long fan, this list of the best products by Clinique has something for everyone. Clinique clearly knows their stuff, with nearly all their products produced and developed by dermatologists.
It’s impressive that Clinique offers a variety of products to protect and improve upon the breadth of skin types and skin concerns, so there is no doubt that there is a best Clinique product for everyone.
Whether your main interest is in skincare or cosmetics, or both, you’re bound to have found a Clinique product for you. Don’t fret about the price tag, because while expensive, it’s a luxurious treat that your skin will thank you day in and day out.