Clinique is a brand I had a really hard time getting into when I first began my Sephora career. My first training with the brand consisted of the brand representative boasting about how I should use Clinique because my mother and grandmother probably used Clinique, how Clinique has been around for 40+ years and so on and so on. Well, that's wonderful for them and all, but what about those of us who aren't as eager to hop onto the Clinique bandwagon? Why should I use these products just because they've been around forever? With all the new technology and the sheer lack of actual product knowledge I received, I became convinced there were better brands to use. While I still feel this way about many of their products, mostly the ones that have been unchanged since day one, I have grown very fond of quite a few Clinique products over the years. I love the fact that they do not include fragrances. I know I have not gone into my hatred for fragrance in skincare products yet, I will save that for a future review, but believe me, it's there!
The Clarifying Lotions 1, 2,3 &4 are Clinique's step 2 in their 3 step system. They are a thin liquid consistency, unlike the title "lotion" would imply. They are applied with a cotton applicator like a toner would be after cleansing, and then meant to be followed by their infamous "Dramatically Different Moisturizer". The lotions are marketed as exfoliants, and the different numbers refer to the different skin types each one is best suited for. The Clarifying Lotions have been updated not too long ago to actually include a few beneficial hydrating ingredients, however, the amount of alcohol that is still contained in lotions 1,2,3 and 4 is going to produce the exact opposite effects on the skin, thus canceling the benefits of the hydrating ingredients. When alcohol is applied to the skin it destroys skin cells, creates free radical damage, and strips the skin of healthy, natural oils. Denatured alcohol is the 2nd ingredient on the list, meaning it makes up a vast majority of the product! I also do not agree with the fact that these are marketed as exfoliants. While they do include salicylic acid, which is indeed an exfoliating ingredient they just do not provide sufficient exfoliation and are misleading to consumers. The first time I tried one of these lotions, the Clinique representative rubbed the saturated cotton round on the back of one of my hands and then instructed me to compare my hand's side by side. This is the oldest trick in the book! If a representative ever instructs you to do this please do not be fooled! The difference you will see in your hands is merely caused by the rubbing motion on the skin. It increases circulation on the skin and it will appear brighter and have a more even tone due to the blood flow.
So I realize for those that have been religiously using Clinique's 3 step system for the last 10-30 years are probably not about to take a blind leap off the bandwagon that they have been comfortably bumping along on. However, if they are coming to me with their skin concerns, I feel it is my duty as an esthetician to politely give them a nice solid shove towards the Mild Clarifying Lotion, it is the only one of the lotions that do not contain alcohol. Which, I have found many people including my fellow Sephora cast are completely unaware of. The mild version is the only one out of all 5 lotions that do not contain alcohol, and I highly recommend it to assist in removing excess makeup after cleansing, extra hydration, and VERY MILD exfoliation with a .5% salicylic acid. In conjunction with the mild lotion, I would still recommend a deeper exfoliation a few times a week for most skin types; or for acne prone skin a higher percent salicylic acid in a separate leave on product.
