You've heard us say it before: We test products for a living. So naturally, we know a thing or two about what makes for a good purchase. And when it comes to beauty, we — and our audience — tend to come back to one brand pretty frequently: Clinique.
Clinique was founded by former Vogue Editor Carol Phillips and dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich around a three-step method that revolutionized the skin care routine, per the brand. The method included cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing.
This dermatologist-backed regimen, called the 3-Step System, catered towards specific skin types and needs with just a few instructions. Just use the trio twice daily, and expect results. This one-of-a-kind experience transformed the skin care regimen and reflects Clinique's ethos: Simplicity is key with the right products.
While the 3-Step System has been around for decades (since the 1960s, eventually catching the eye of beautician and business executive Estée Lauder), Clinique remains at the forefront of prestige skin care (and now, makeup). Last week alone showed search interest for the brand at over 200,000, per SemRush, reflecting the continued demand for Clinique's effective and straightforward products.
Whether you're new to the brand or are a long-time user, it's no secret that Clinique remains a leader in dermatologist-backed beauty. But if you're searching for a purchase from the brand, and are not sure where to start, we've rounded up our favorite Clinique products we've ever tried, as well as some expert-recommended picks, below.
Editor- and derm-recommended$undefined$34.00
Great for mature skin$38.40$48.00
What Clinique products are good for mature skin?
"Clinique has several formulas that work well for mature skin," explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp. "The brand focuses on gentle, effective ingredients that target key concerns like dryness, dullness and loss of firmness," including picks that are in this round-up.
Makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre says this emphasis on gentle formulations is what makes Clinique's makeup line friendly for mature skin, too, such as the Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF 25. "They tend to be hydrating, lightweight and smoothing, which is ideal when you want a fresh, radiant look without drawing attention to texture."
Is Clinique a dermatologist-recommended brand?
"Yes, Clinique is one of the original dermatologist-developed brands, and it remains a trusted name in skin care," Camp explains, who also recommends the brand to his patients. "The formulas are fragrance-free and allergy tested, which is especially important for sensitive or reactive skin types."
Because of how well Clinique formulas work on all skin types, Ventre says she, too, recommends the brand often to clients, especially those "looking for makeup that looks good, feels good, and won’t cause flare ups or reactions."
Best Clinique products, according to experts and editors
What started it all:
We can't have a Clinique round-up without mentioning the product that started it all. This travel-sized version of the 3-Step System comes with all of the essentials for dry to combination skin, from cleansing to moisturizing.
Iconic brand pick:
Believe it or not, the iconic Black Honey lipstick wasn't the first makeup product Clinique released. But when it was introduced to the world in 1971, the universally flattering, deep berry shade was appealing to the masses.
"It complements my skin tone nicely and helps add a pop of color, without being overwhelming," said associate editor Shannon Garlin in her review. "I probably wear this shade every day to work — it just goes with everything and helps me feel put together."
A moisturizing lip balm:
"This is one of the first products that became a staple in my beauty routine!" raves editorial assistant Erica Marrison. "I love it because it’s easy to apply and super moisturizing, thanks to shea butter...I personally find that the product lasts forever in my makeup bag, too, so I rarely have to replace it."
A lip gloss you'll always want to reapply:
Prefer a gloss? Black Honey is also available in Clinique's Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss. With a blend of various butters and hyaluronic acid, it leaves lasting hydration — not just shine.
"I love the color — it’s deep but not overbearing (I personally think deeper reds look best on me) and feels super hydrating. Kind of like petroleum jelly, but in a good way," suggests editorial operations manager Jill Ortiz. "I love the glossy look, and I find myself applying it for just about every occasion; my commute, dates, the office and even to the gym."
Your lashes, but better:
Who doesn't love bolder lashes? Clinique's High Impact Mascara is all about enhancing your natural lashes without the clump. According to the brand, it is entirely buildable, so you can comb and define to your desired intensity. "The mascara is a fantastic formula — it lengthened my lashes with zero clumps," raves production associate Audrey Eckman, who tried the mascara in Black Honey. "I found that it didn’t smudge or budge for a full 14 hours, and washed off easily at the end of the day."
Best for volume:
What really made me gravitate towards this mascara was the wand. It has a unique precision tip that helps lengthen corner lashes so every lash is evenly coated. While marketed mainly for volume, I found the formula incredibly lengthening for my fairly thin lashes. It's comfortable to wear, and keeps your lashes up all day long. I consider it one of my favorite formulas! Read more of my review here.
For on-the-go touch ups:
A touch of blush can instantly awaken the face, no matter what your plans are. That's one of the reasons why Ventre loves this twist-up blush from Clinique. Plus, "it blends like a dream, gives a soft flush of color and layers easily over foundation," she says.
Editor- and dermatologist-recommended:
Before updated with SPF, the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ was the very first product I tried from the brand (and first 'big girl' skin care purchase'), so it's always nostalgic to look back at. "It’s a classic for a reason," adds Camp. "It provides long lasting hydration without feeling heavy, and it works well for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive and dry skin."
For long-lasting hydration:
This highly hydrating gel-cream moisturizer locks in moisture for an impressive 100 hours, claims the brand. The product was ranked in our 'best lightweight moisturizers' coverage by former Shop TODAY SEO intern Domonique Tolliver, for those searching for a light yet effective formula.
Great for mature skin:
"Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation is a must in my kit," emphasizes Ventre, who recommends it for those with mature skin. Camp also suggests this product out of Clinique's entire makeup lineup because "it has skin care ingredients built in, offers great coverage, and gives skin a healthy, natural-looking finish without settling into fine lines."
Most effective:
If you were to purchase any product from Clinique, I'd point to the Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. In fact, I would argue that it's the brand's best skin care product. Compared to similar products on the market, I find the cleansing balm highly moisturizing and non-stripping, so after I dry my face, my face never feels tight. You also don't get any 'burning' around your eyes, even when removing tough eye makeup. It's that good!
For a boost of radiance:
A part of Clinique's Moisture Surge line, the Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum contains actives, such as lactic acid, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to exfoliate, hydrate and brighten in one. I've been loving it for reviving my skin when it's been looking and feeling a bit more dry/dull. If you have sensitive skin, the brand claims it's gentle enough for you, which I can attest to with the minimal redness/reaction my skin had after application.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
- Lauren D'Amelio Ventre is a celebrity and bridal makeup artist and the founder of The Art of Enhancement and D’Amelio Cosmetics.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
