-OVERVIEW- Clinique Liquid Facial Soap is step 1 in the clinique "3 stepskin care system". It's availabe in formulas for all skin types; Very dry to dry, dry combination, oily combination, oily, mild, and now extra mild aswell.
The formula being reviewed is the oily skin formula.
The liquid soap cleanses and prepares the skin for steps 2 and 3, which are exfoliating/toning, and moisturising.
As with all Clinique products, the facial soap too, is 100% fragrance free, and allergy tested. The allergy testing methods used by clinique are extensive and one of the companys' main selling points.
Every formula is applied 12 times to 600 people under clinical guidlines, and if even one of those applications incites an allergic reaction, clinique reformulate the product. So this product is great for anyone with sensitive skins and allergies, as they have a minimal chance of having an adverse reaction. One of the reasons
I totally trust clinique.
-OUTLETS- Clinique products are available from all major department stores, and larger Boots and Superdrug stores aswell. But to take full advantage of offers and bonuses it's best to go to a large department store and check out clinique bonus time, in the end, you pay the same amount of money for the product everywhere, but in the larger outlets you get free gifts and discounts! Now why would you not want those? :D-PRICE- It's priced at around £13.00, and is available in portable tubes of 50ml or a pump dispenser containing 200ml or 400ml.
The standard 200 ml pump = £13.00 Three 50 ml tubes = £15.00 Jumbo 400ml pump = £22.00
So it's better value to take the jumbo pump, as you pay less per ml, and the worst value is the portable tubes sets, as you get only 150ml in total for £15.00, therefore it's £1 per 10ml- I think!
-PACKAGING- The packaging for the product itself is an opaque shade of green with the distinct clinique logo in silver.
The portable tubes are plastic with "flip-lid" caps, but the main product, is the pump dispenser.
The pump dispenser bottle is made of a dense, brittle plastic, and the same goes with the actual pump aswell. The bottle itself is quite weighty, and not too portable, hence there being a portable version. Also, the pump doesn't have a safety lock to prevent accidental spillages when travelling.But for the bathroom shelf it's practical.
-WHAT IT SAYS ON THE BACK- Printed on the back of the bottle, is a little information, and the ingredients: " 3 Step Skin Care: Step 1 Liquid Facial Soap Oily Formula. Type 3/4 Clinically Formulated. Allergy Tested. 100% Fragrance Free. Thorough cleansing developed by Clinique's dermatologists for the needs of Oily. Leaves skin feeling fresh and clean. Non-drying. Use twice daily. "
This is repeated in different european languages, down till the bottom of the tube where is states the ingredients, shelf life, and the addresses of clinique.
The ingredients are: purified water ,sodium laureth sulfate ,lauramidopropyl betaine ,cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine ,sodium chloride ,sodium cocoyl sarcosinate ,tea cocyl glutamate ,butylene glycol ,aloe barbadensis leaf juice ,serenoa serrulata (saw palmetto) fruit extract ,PEG-120 methyl glucose dioleate ,sucrose ,menthol hexylene glycol ,polyquaternium-7 ,laureth 2 ,caprylyl glycol ,sodium sulfate ,EDTA ,disodium EDTA ,sodium benzoate ,phenoxyethanol So If you need to check with any ingredients for allergies and such, now's the time!
The shelf life is 24 months, and for me, a 200ml tube lasts about 2-3 months, So a tip would be, because the facial soap lasts so long, it's worth buying the 400ml tube rather than the 200ml, as it comes out cheaper per ml and there's no worries about the quantity expiring.
-THE SOAP- The liquid doesn't smell of anything distinct as it's fragerance free, and has a clear slippery consistency. It works into a rich creamy lather pretty quickle, and doen't get absorbed into the skin if you leave it on a while, so it's great for a facial massage. But the longer it stays on your skin, the more oil it absobs, so you can work out how long you need to massage and keep it on. For me, if you keep it too long, my cheeks get flaky and very dry, so the formula is pretty strong.
Because it's an oily skin formula, it is definetly not suited for normal skin or anything dryer. But myself having combination skin, I think it works well, because even though my skin on the cheeks can get dry with continual rubbing, i don't have to leave it on that long and can concentrate on the oilier regions such as the T-zone, and that creates the perfect balance and leaves my skin fresh and comfortable.
Again, it's good to get the balance and timing of how much product you want for how long on which parts of your face, so leaving it on too long leads to tightness, dryness, and even dandruffy flakes on the surface of the skin(!). So with strong formulas like this oily skin one, you need some time to adjust to it, and make a set routine.
-DIRECTIONS- Press the pump to dispense the needed amount. Lather with the tips of your fingers. Apply to face, and massage. Work on oilier areas. Rinse well. Follow Step 2 and Step 3.-WHAT IT PROMISES- Clinique liquid facial soap, promises, when used with the rest of the 3 step system, gives clear, healthy, and comfortable skin.
The lady at the counter promised i'll have perfect skin by the time i'm 20, so here's hoping it works!
-DOES IT KEEP THE PROMISE?- Yes it does.
My experience with the facial soap has been great, and many, many people have also said that it is worth spending a bit more for great skin. Before I found clinique, I was suffering from acne, and from using it for just a few days, it gradually started to clear, and then dissappear.
My skin feels and looks healthy, clear and comfortable. Ofcourse, it's natural to get the odd break out here and there, but clinique controls it to about one whitehead or so on the rare occasion, so i'm incredibly greatful.
I personally recommend it to anyone who wants great skin, just make sure you get a consultation so you know which products are for you, and keep to the system properly.
I love my facial wash, and have been using it for about a year now, and don't want to change any time soon, so yes, if you are looking for a skin care regime, clinique is a great option to try out.
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