Review rated by 14 Ciao members on average: helpful
I have used many different products over the years to fuel my passion for skincare products and makeup and when I decided to change brands I fell in love with clinique's 3 step system very quickly and with a few additions I have found my perfect skin care regime. Having said that my mother has been washing with dove soap, and has only just started using skincare products in the last few years and her skin is smooth and always healthy looking so if a cheaper product works for you or even no product at all then don't mess with what works!!
If you are new to skin care my main piece of advice is try samples of products, just ask for a sample at a clinique counter and as long as its not bonus time they should have some in stock to take home and try. The main thing is you trust your own judgement if something feels wrong dont use it. if you like one product and not others then try another brand for the products that don't work for you because there are no rules!!
Clinique products come in various formulas in order to get the best reasults as dependant on your skin type your needs differ. You can find which skin type you are by using a system known as the clinique computer available at www.clinique.co.uk in the form of a skin report or at your clinique counter you will find the formulas perfect for you. The computer is literally a series of questions that build a picture of what your skin needs.
The 3 step system in detail:
Step 1 Liquid Facial Soap or Facial Soap
The liquid faciaI soap is the thing I love most about the clinique three step system. I use the liquid version as its easier and to be honest if I left a bar of facial soap by the sink in my bathroom my boyfriend would use it to wash his hands!! The liquid facial soap comes in 3 formulations; extra mild, mild or oily. From the skin report you find out which formula is best suited to your skin. The facial soap cleans and removes all traces of dirt. Although for heavy makeup you need alternative specially designed products. This product is available in two forms, a 200ml bottle costs £13 and lasts ages or 3 mini tubes (perfect for travel) at £15. The facial soap bar costs £9.50 for a 100g barin a dish, £12 for a 150g bar in a dish or alternatively a small dish (again ideal for travel) with 3 mini bars costs £12.
Step 2 Claryfying Lotion
This is more of a liquid than a lotion as I imagine a lotion to be thicker. However like the facial soap it comes in various formulations so you use the formualtion that it is shown to be suited to you from the "computer" (see above). It comes in 5 formulas, mild, No1, No2, No3, No4 and No5. The idea is that it sweeps away dead skin in order to prepare the skin for moisturising. I find that at times I can only use it in the t-zone as it's effects can be too drying on the skin.It comes in two sizes 200ml which costs £14 or 400ml which costs £23. As I use the liquid facial soap I prefer the 200mol size bottle as its the same size as the liquid facial soap, which looks better on the shelf in my bathroom!!!
The mositurizing stage comes in two formulas which are targetted to be used according to what the clinique computer feels is best for your skin, the lotion for drier skins and the gel oil free for oilier skins. They both come in either a 125ml bottle with a pump for £27 or a 50ml tube for £15. I use the lotion which has won various cosmo awards due to its easily absorbed formula.
I have found the clinique 3 step system works well for me but I need to use an exfoliator that is stronger than the 7 day facial scrub, and alongside the moisturiser I use eye cream as a must because the skin under my eyes is really thin leaving shadows very easily!! I also find I need an eye make up remover and cleanser to remove my makeup as the facial soap doesn't remove it properly!!
If you use it and find it doesn't work then dont give up try another brand. Hope this has helped.
Sorry for the low rate, but thoguh you've given quite a bit of skincare advice, you've not really told us much about the products in the 3 step system. Tia. xxx
by (93%):
by (7%):
27.04.2007 18:24
Only ever used a few Clinique products, but i have found them all to be very good - just the price that stops me at the moment! Sarah xx
04.08.2006 08:21
Sorry for the low rate, but thoguh you've given quite a bit of skincare advice, you've not really told us much about the products in the 3 step system. Tia. xxx
03.08.2006 23:12
It's a good start keep it up!!!