Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel Combination Oily to Oily (With Pump)

The Product

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel is available to buy direct from the Clinique website or from Clinique counters in Department stores, as well as from various online beauty stores. It's available to buy in 2 sizes - 125ml pump-action bottle, RRP £27, and 50ml tube, RRP £15. I usually try to buy my Clinique products whilst I'm in America, as they're usually less than half the price they are in the UK, but ...
...So, when I heard that Clinique had brought out a new (at the time) gel version of their bestselling Dramatically Different Moisturiser, to cater for oilier skins, I was intrigued enough to give it a go.


The Packaging

The product comes in a green box with the unmistakeable Clinique logo prominently placed on the front. The box has all the important information about the product on it; description, directions, ... more

The Product

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel is available to buy direct from the Clinique website or from Clinique counters in Department stores, as well as from various online beauty stores. It's available to buy in 2 sizes - 125ml pump-action bottle, RRP £27, and 50ml tube, RRP £15. I usually try to buy my Clinique products whilst I'm in America, as they're usually less than half the price they are in the UK, but failing that I turn to eBay, where I've managed to buy the 125ml bottle for as little as £15.99 including postage.

Why I Bought It

Oily skin is one of the less amusing traits that I've inherited from my mother. I've suffered with this problem, to varying degrees, since I was about 13, and I've always found it difficult to find a good moisturiser. I must have tried hundreds of different moisturisers, from the cheap supermarket own brand, to £30 a bottle high end brands, but it seemed like a fact of life that if it controlled oil, it would leave my skin feeling coated and clogged, and if it felt light enough on my skin it wouldn't control the oil. So, when I heard that Clinique had brought out a new (at the time) gel version of their bestselling Dramatically Different Moisturiser, to cater for oilier skins, I was intrigued enough to give it a go.

The Packaging

The product comes in a green box with the unmistakeable Clinique logo prominently placed on the front. The box has all the important information about the product on it; description, directions, ingredients and contact information.

The bottle itself is made of a thick and very high-quality feeling transparent plastic, which allows the contents to be easily seen. The pump-action top and lid are made of plastic but coated in some sort of metal, for a nice shiny, expensive-looking finish. The top dispenses the product smoothly and efficiently, and feels very sturdy in use, and the lid fastens securely.

The Claims

According to the back of the box this 'moisture drink' is developed by Clinique's dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for combination-oily and oily skins. The oil-free formula works to soften, smooth and improve the texture and condition of the skin.

Suitability and Warnings

The product has been allergy tested and is 100% fragrance free, so should be suitable for even the most sensitive of skins.

Clinique does not test on animals, but some of their products do contain animal ingredients.

Directions

Apply twice daily to the face and throat, either all over or just where needed.
For best results, it is suggested it should be used after Clinique Facial Soap and Clarifying Lotion.

In Practice

One press of the dispenser gives you a small pea-sized amount of the creamy-yellow coloured gel. The texture is smooth and light, and the scent inoffensive and unobtrusive. I find pressing the top twice gives me just the right amount of product to easily cover the whole of my face and neck.

When applied to the skin the gel feels quite cool and refreshing. It smoothes easily and simply melts into the skin. It is absorbed very quickly, and after around 10 seconds I can no longer feel the product on my skin, unlike with many moisturisers that leave a residue that sits on your skin and feels awful. I have quite sensitive skin (very sensitive at times), and have never found this product to cause any kind of reaction.

It's worth noting that this moisturiser doesn't contain any sun protection, so another product with sun protection is still needed for during the day.

As you only need to use a small amount, the 125ml bottle lasts a good 6 months, but once I got towards the end of my first bottle I found that there's a good amount left in the bottom that you can't get to. I've tried everything I could think of to get at this remaining product, but it just seems impossible. I even tried cutting the bottle open but the plastic's too thick to cut with scissors (a saw might work!). It's only a small negative point, but it does annoy me when product is wasted like that.

The Results

From the first application of this gel my skin felt softer, smoother and much more comfortable. It leaves my skin feeling matte and fresh, and the results last all day. It moisturises really well, though not well enough to tackle dry skin, so if you do tend to get dry patches from time to time you'll need a separate product for that.

Over time, this product has dramatically improved the condition of my skin. The texture is much more refined, it feels healthier and softer, and no longer gets greasy.

The Conclusion

Frankly, I think this stuff is amazing. I never thought I'd find a moisturiser that suited my skin, but this is perfect. I've been using it for over 2 years now, and I can't see me ever switching to another moisturiser again. The fact that it lasts so long makes it great value for money, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who suffers with oily skin. 

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