Blondie beckons…I was on Allure.com and there were several users who claimed that Clinique Liquid Facial Soap worked wonders on their face. I have used Clinique moisturizer before and it worked well with my skin, but I am skeptical about using their facial soap. I have sensitive skin and Clinique is on the more expensive side; I do not want to waste my money on something that does not work or will break me out. But I would really love to clear up the acne spots on my face.
The Right Brain bounces backs
From our research it looks like the Clinique Liquid Facial soaps are good quality, mild cleansers although they’re a bit expensive. Let’s look at the ingredient list for the three different versions: Extra Mild, Liquid, Mild, and Oily Skin Formula.
Clinique cleansers
The Extra Mild type is said to contain caprylic/capric triglyceride, olive oil, and sucrose stearate to gently cleanse the skin and “potent” humectants such as sodium PCA and sodium hyaluronate to moisturize. While it’s true that these cleansers are very mild, they’re also don’t clean particularly well. You may find they don’t get your face clean enough. The humectants they mention are really marketing hype ingredients because they only work when they’re not rinsed off, which in this case they are.
The Mild version is based on an amino-acid derived surfactant, TEA-Cocoyl Glutamate, which is considerably better at cleansing and still very non-stripping. It is also said to contain sodium hyaluronate, aloe, and sucrose to “help bind moisture to the skin, comfort and soothe, leaving skin refreshed and conditioned.” Again, these only have benefit when not rinsed off.
Finally, the Oily skin version adds cooling menthol and a lightweight conditioner Polyquaternium-7 to its cleansers. Despite it’s positioning this cleanser doesn’t contain any acne medication.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
All these products would probably be good for if you’re bothered by harsh detergents but there’s always the chance that the product’s fragrance could irritate you. And Clinique won’t be good if you have a sensitive bank account. Also, while they shouldn’t make your acne any worse, there’s very little they can do to make it any better either. Finally while it doesn’t look like any of these version will dry out your skin, the ingredients that they claim are moisturizing are pretty much rinsed away, so don’t expect to much in that regard.
What’s your favorite way to wash your face? Leave a cleansing comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
You HAAAAAVE to try Olay Gentle Foaming Face Wash!!!!! Its so cheap, and is the GREATEST cleanser I have EVER used. It is for sensitive skin, is very hydrating, foams wonderfully and takes off ALL my makeup!! I will never use another cleanser again!! I’ve turned so many people on to it, and they all LOVE it! If you’re in the market for a moisturizer, give Korres 24 Hour Wild Rose Moisturizer a try (Sephora). Its absolutely amazing.
Guys, the Clinique cleansers (and indeed most of their products) DON’T contain fragrance! The mild version also contains other surfactants, one of which, sodium laureth sulfate, is listed as the second ingredient (compared with TEA-Cocoyl Glutamate which is listed as the 6th). I think it would be more appropriate to say it’s based on “the standard detergent cleanser sodium laureth sulfate” than on the other!
ye-uck. Clinque was the worst stuff ever on my face. It broke me out, dried my skin out, and took off no makeup at all. The toner cleansed better than the soap! The 3 step system was actually the worst thing for my skin, the only half decent thing was the moisturizer. I stick with original (pink) oil of olay and the olay smooth skin daily scrub or a dove bar and I have never, ever had better skin.
oh, and yes it broke me out terrribly!
I have used clinque for years. I think they have the best eyeshadow. But on the cleansers it is the only thing that works on my oily roceasa skin. My daughter has terrible acne and she has used everything under the sun and the only thing that seems to be working is the Clinque acne line. I have always used a makeup remover before I was my face that might be the problem for some of the people.
I have always used a makeup remover before I was my face that might be the problem for some of the people. Sould have said I have always used a makeup remover before I wash my face that might be the problem for some of the people. I forgot the H.
Clinique is the only brand to have ever caused me to break out, and boy did it hate those products. I stupidly trusted the counter girl a few years back and bought the 3 step program and was sorely disappointed (and house bound for a while as my face took a while to clear up). The cleanser/toner is simply too harsh for skin. It’s not for nothing that the Clinique staff manual used to specify that they use the Toner to wipe down all the glass surfaces. I would prefer to use Mr. Muscle on my skin!!
I love Olay Gentle Cleansers~~~ Also non-comdegenic
I’m 17 have had acne problems, have sensitive skin, and swear by Clinique. Although many here say that it just doesn’t work many are not buying the right stuff. Clinique is made for people over the age of 35. they only recently started with their acne line. I used to use the Acne liquid soap, then their Acne bar (same formula different application). I found it was useful every 3 nights or so, and i could never use the 2nd step of the three step right after the first. i quickly learned this was too harsh for my face. I moved onto their gentle foaming cleanser, their toner, then their super hydrating oil free moisturizer. The foaming cleanser if used as if trying to get dirt off yor face will work to get your oils off, but not dry out your skin. If you are feeling very dirty then you use the toner after, be sure not to scrub though that will “mess yo face up”. i use the hydrating lotion when ever i notice a dry spot, or im just not looking refreshed. any way thats what works for me. with clinique its a lot of trial and error, but once you find your perfect mix its heaven.
I have used clinique cleanser and toner and I have to say itreally messed my face up. As a result I goyt more acne, my face had never been dry or scaly and clinique made it dry and scaly, bumpy and very rough. My face was so bad that I didn’t want to go out and when I defenetly had to I used tons of make up to hide behind. It took me over 2 months to get my face back on track. Using home remedies like applying fruits, special diets and mometasone ointment. Clinique is a very harsh product.
Clinique makes my chin itch and break all out, I got it for Christmas from someone, i dont get acne, I guess it was a free thing they got when they bought something else, and regifted.lol whatever, it definetly made me itch and break out. Dont get it.