Life’s simple – don’t complicate it!
Thats the mantra I live by… or try to live by. But seriously, life IS simple – its people who are complicated 😛 And in the spirit of keeping it simple, I’ve been using Clinique’s 3 step programme these couple of weeks. Does that make me sound like I’m in rehab?
Clinique’s 3 step programme has been around forever but this is the first time I’m trying it over a prolonged period! What it is is essentially cleanse, tone and moisturize – 3 essential skincare steps which we may or may not practice but which we should right from our first blush of youth 🙂
First off, let me say that before using the Clinique 3 step programme, you should get down to a counter and get the sales assistants to match you up to the right products. You might need a stronger or lighter toner or a lighter or heavier moisturizer, but could make do with a normal cleanser. In my case, I was #2 for cleanser and moisturizer but I was advised to get a #1 toner – its milder for my skin. So get thee down to a counter and don’t listen to your friend or even to me because our skin types are all different so what works for me or your friend may not work for you!
The products I have are trial sizes and Clinique sells sets of these trial sizes for RM105 so you can try them out before you buy the full sizes – I like that! At least I know if something goes wrong, I did not blow a wad of cash. Have you tried the Clinique 3 Step? Here’s my thoughts on it.
Step 1 Cleanse – Clinique Facial Soap #2 Mild – Normal to Dry skin
I was diagnosed with dry combination skin. Yes yes… the aging process has started. But that’s no reason to skip cleansing. The Clinique cleanser #2 is a gel cleanser which cleans my skin well without causing it to feel dry. As it is formulated for combination to dry skin, it would have been disastrous had it pulled my skin taut and tight! I use it twice a day – in the morning and evening after makeup remover. Its Ok but did not remove my makeup very well (without a makeup remover beforehand).
Step 2 Tone – Clinique Clarifying Lotion
Ok this isn’t really a toning step. In the Clinique regime the Clarifying Lotion is in fact, a mild exfoliator. How to use this is to pour some onto a cotton pad and gently wipe across your skin just ONCE. The clarifying lotion acts in removing the dull skin cells and flaky skin to reveal clearer skin. However, the other effect is that your skin can get a little dry so you NEED to moisturize and yet another drawback is the tingling feel on the skin and the high alcohol content that can sting the eyes.
The secret ingredient is, I believe Salicylic Acid – a good friend of mine LOL… The other secret to not having irritated skin when using step 2 is to ensure you get the right strength and this is where the sales consultants come in. I was advised to get #1 for Very Dry – Dry skin as the formula is milder but they were out so I took #2 but was warned to use it sparingly. I’m glad they warned me or I’d have slapped it on and wondered why I was drying out!
Step 3 Moisturize – Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
This is Clinique’s star product. A product I’m sad to say broke me out many years ago. I reported this to the sales assistant who then taught me something I love her for ever since! The proper amount of moisturizer to use.
You see I’d been doing the 5 dot method – 5 dots on the skin and blend – but I was told that’s using too much moisturizer which may be too rich for the skin. So, I was advised to use just a pea sized amount, spread it between my hands and apply to my skin. I’ll elaborate on this method in a later post but all I can say is WOW!
I can see why the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or affectionately known as DDML is loved by so many. It is a good basic moisturizer, delivering just enough moisture to the skin to keep it comfortable and its perfect after Step 2.
However, it is just that – a moisturizer with nothing more added. So, if you have other concerns e.g. whitening, anti aging etc you might have to use something else. However, if all you want is a basic moisturizer, try this one – you have nothing to lose! The texture of the lotion is a little thick because its for drier skin but for oilier skin there is a gel formula which is much lighter.
I do have one little grouse with the sample/trial size of the DDML – its quite thick so it takes some whacking on my palm before any lotion comes out. I believe the full size version comes in a pump but I can’t be sure – I sure do hope so anyway!
Dramatically Different? Quite!
I’m happy to note that my skin was not upset by using the Clinique 3 step programme this time, unlike the last time I tried it. I don’t mind the Facial Wash and I like the DDML lotion but I’m not liking the Clarifying Lotion much. I prefer a toner that adds moisture and does not sting my skin and thus far, I’m happy with the other products I use that help keep my skin flake free, including various scrubs, exfoliators and pore refiners. Still, if you’d like to keep it simple and all in the family, then the Clinique 3 Step programme should do just fine.
Are you doing the Clinique 3 Step? What’s your favourite product out of the 3? Mine’s the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion – its dramatically different! 🙂
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
I was using Clinique 3 Step for 5 years before moving to Europe. I changed to another brand because the moisturiser didn’t really work for me in winter as my face was still very dry after applying it.
But overall, Clinique 3 Step is very good 🙂
I’ve been using Clinique’s products for some years now. I love the clarifying lotion it’s simply by far the best I’ve used. I have to admit that I don’t use the soap ( but my brother likes it and uses everyday) I prefer The aqua thermal makeup up removal or Bioderma for sensitive skin. I apply a soft layer of the dramatically moisturizing lotion before appying my day cream, but now in the summer time I don’t use it so often, cause to much cream makes my skin looks shiny. In winter time is great:)
hey paris
just wondering where you got your diagnosis?
was she professional and good?
Hi Lynn
I can’t recall her name but go to the Isetan KLCC Clinique counter. Pretty girl with a ponytail. She’s pleasant and helpful.
I’m a guy and I hope it’s not an issue for me to leave a comment…this being a site for women’s stuff. This is my experience with Clinique. I have moderate adult acne and one fine day i realised my regime was not working anymore so i decided to go for something a little more higher end. So i decided on the Clinique 3 Step, recommended by my gf’s close friend. I went with the trial pack (Liquid Facial Soap-Oily Skin Formula, Claryfying Lotion #3 and DDMG).
The 1st month i had major breakouts but i read somewhere that it’s normal (now i think that belief is false) but i preservered and kept to the 3 Step. By the 2nd month my skin seemed a little better so i bought the normal sized ones. A month later i had major breakouts again and after that i decided to stop Clinique once and for all. I assumed that the 3 step did help control my acne but once it was getting better the harsh toner irritated the skin again.
So i recently switched to Lab Series and my face has improved a lot since. Yes i know Lab Series and Clinique are both owned by Estee Lauder. But the Lab Series toner (oil control solution) has much less alcohol compared to Clinique’s Clarifying Lotions. Although the Lab Series products are more expensive than Clinique’s at least my skin is getting better. I did try Clinique’s men range but to me it’s just repackaged women’s products but the men’s line costs more. However, i still use the DDMG which i find perfect for oily acne prone skin like mine. Apologies for the really long post.
I love the Clinique 3 Step! Every single one of them helped me out sooo much. I’ve been using them since I was 13… hehhehehehe… So yeah, it IS a “young girl” brand. but my mum used it for 20 years already…
Perhaps it may be the heck that our faces need harsher treatment than the others.
hello it is fine just to use the clinique facial wash and the moisturizer i dnt want the clarifying lotion step 2 ,thank you .
I don’t see why not!
breakout isnt go away… should i stop using it or keep it for a month more?
Unfortunately the dramatically different lotion turned my skin into an acne mess! I’m 20 years old, never more than 2 tiny spots on my face at a time, skin neither oily nor dry.. it was only until about 1 week into using Cliniques lotion that i started to break out. My skin is now still recovering but so so many scars:( I would not recommend trying it even, go for something else and lessen the risk of damaging your skin, EVEN if its recommended by someone that is has worked for. That is in my opinion anyway because by the looks of it, there seems to be more bad reviews than good.