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Clinique skincare

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Clinique is an American skincare brand founded in 1968 and owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

Clinique is widely loved for its thoughtful range of moisturizers, serums, makeup removers, eye products, and more, which thoughtfully incorporate hydrating hyaluronic acid, nourishing glycerin, and invigorating caffeine. Its products suit dry sensitive skin and oily skin best because of these comforting, balancing ingredients. For specific concerns, the brand offers standout solutions such as the Clarifying Do-Over Peel for acne-prone skin, the for Men Oil-Free Moisturizer for skin with dark spots, and the Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream for mature skin. Ultimately, its key ingredients work harmoniously together, as hyaluronic acid lengthens the duration of wrinkle reduction, glycerin significantly increases hydration and restores barrier function, and caffeine prevents excessive fat accumulation and protects against UV radiation.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

This page covers some of the most popular Clinique products; for the whole Clinique range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.

Clinique moisturizers

Other Clinique products

People Say

★4.5Overall rating based on 76.1k+ reviews

Reviewers most often praise Clinique for deep hydration, gentle formulas, and lightweight textures. The most common complaints are breakouts and insufficient moisture for dry skin.

Highlights

  • Hydrating moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
    • “Keeps my dry patches at bay all day — Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “cushiony cream texture — Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream”
    • “glass skin look — moisture surge”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in immediately — moisture surge”
    • “sinks in instantly — Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “Absorbs quickly without feeling sticky — Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
  • Deeply dissolving makeup removers Mostly Mentioned
    • “Melts waterproof mascara — Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
    • “Immediately dissolves even tenacious face makeup, oil and impurities. — Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil”
    • “Rinses off easily with water, leaving no residue behind. — Take The Day Off Cleansing Oil”
  • Gentle and effective cleansers Mostly Mentioned
    • “squeaky clean — all about clean”
    • “doesn't dry out — all about clean”
    • “extra-gentle — Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser”
  • Oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers Often Mentioned
    • “keeps me matte — Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “neck feels smoother — Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream”
  • Effective makeup bases Sometimes Noted
    • “foundation glides on — moisture surge”
    • “holds concealer in place — All About Eyes”
    • “perfect primer base — Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “jar is too small for the cost — moisture surge”
    • “quite pricey — Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum”
    • “Expensive for cleanser — Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
  • Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
    • “Woke up with whiteheads on my chin — Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+”
    • “gave me tiny bumps — moisture surge”
    • “Caused cystic acne — Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm”
  • Insufficient hydration or moisture Sometimes Noted
    • “skin felt tight — Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel”
    • “skin felt tight after an hour — moisture surge”
    • “not moisturizing enough — All About Eyes”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, makeupalley.com, amazon.com, clinique.com, and more

Questions and answers

Is Clinique good for oily skin?

Clinique is good for oily skin, as Lovi rates the Clinique-focused routine High for oily skin. The Clinique products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, and reviewers often mention that the brand offers oil-controlling and smoothing moisturizers.

Is Clinique worth it?

Clinique may be worth it for shoppers looking for hydrating moisturizers and gentle cleansers, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routines High for sensitive and oily skin, and Average for dry skin. Reviewers often mention its high price point alongside its lightweight formulas. Additionally, every Clinique product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients.

What are Clinique's best products?

Clinique's best products depend on the skin type, with Lovi rating options like Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream as Superior for mature skin and Clarifying Do-Over Peel as Superior for oily skin. The Clinique products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Which Clinique moisturizer is best for dry skin?

Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream is the best Clinique moisturizer for dry skin, followed by Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+. Lovi rates the top choice High for dry skin, while the other two options rate Average.

Does Clinique cause breakouts?

Clinique is unlikely to cause breakouts for most users, as reviewer feedback notes that breakouts are only sometimes reported. Lovi rates the acne-prone skin fit as High for select products like for Men Oil-Free Moisturizer and Moisture Surge Overnight Mask.

Is Clinique fragrance-free?

Yes, the Clinique products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients. Reviewers often mention that these lightweight moisturizers help keep skin feeling soft and smooth without added scents.

What are the key ingredients in Clinique products?

The key ingredients found across the Clinique products on this page include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, caffeine, and salicylic acid. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2013

How do I build a Clinique skincare routine?

To build a Clinique skincare routine for dry skin, start your morning with the all about clean cleanser, a calming toner, the Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream, and sunscreen. In the evening, use the Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, the all about clean cleanser, the Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum, and the same lifting cream. Once a week, add the Moisture Surge Overnight Mask into your evening routine for extra moisture.

Where can I buy Clinique, and how much does it cost?

Clinique products on this page are available on Amazon US, with prices ranging from $25.50 to $109.00 and most falling between $36.75 and $66.00.

What are good alternatives to Clinique?

Good alternatives to Clinique with pages on Lovi include CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica. These similar brands offer alternative options for various skin types and routines.

Clinique vs CeraVe: which is better?

CeraVe is rated as a better fit than Clinique across major skin types, with CeraVe-focused routines scoring Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin while Clinique routines score Average to High. Lovi rates Clinique High for sensitive and oily skin, but Average for dry and combination skin.

Who owns Clinique, and where is it from?

Clinique is an American brand founded in 1968, owned by The Estée Lauder Companies Inc..

en.wikipedia.orgelcompanies.combusinesswire.comglossy.co

Is Clinique cruelty-free?

PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list Clinique as cruelty-free.

Is Clinique good for dry skin?

Lovi rates Clinique's fit for dry skin as Average, with specific products like Moisture Surge Overnight Mask reaching a High fit. Topical hyaluronic acid, featured in the brand's formulas, helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Which Clinique cleanser is best for oily skin?

For oily skin, Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser is the best cleanser on this page, while all about clean is rated with caution.

Is Clinique good for sensitive skin?

Yes, Clinique is good for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates the Clinique-focused routine High for sensitive skin. Furthermore, the Clinique products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, helping to keep skin calm.

Is Clinique good for acne-prone skin?

Clinique is good for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routine High for this skin type. Reviewers frequently mention that the brand provides hydrating and oil-controlling moisturizers, though some note it may occasionally cause breakouts.

Is Clinique good for skin with dark spots?

Lovi rates Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector High for skin with dark spots. Reviewers often mention its effective brightening properties, and the Clinique products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.

Is Clinique good for mature skin?

Clinique is good for mature skin, as Lovi rates products like Smart Clinical Repair Lifting Face + Neck Cream Superior for this skin type. Reviewers frequently mention that the brand offers hydrating moisturizers that help smooth the skin. Additionally, topical hyaluronic acid may help improve skin quality and signs of aging.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

Research behind Clinique's key ingredients

Behind these ratings

Lovi rates every product from its full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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