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Black Honey, Take the Day Off, Happy — few beauty brands have spurned as many iconic beauty products as Clinique. The brand is a household name and so too are its top skin care, fragrances, and makeup essentials (in a beauty lover’s home, anyway). At 56 years young, Clinique offers hundreds of solution-driven beauty products for shoppers to choose from, so our editors rolled up our sleeves to test and review the very best Clinique beauty products.
In partnership with Estée Lauder and dermatologist Dr. Norman Orentreich, former Vogue special projects and beauty editor Carol Phillips founded Clinique in 1968 to answer one singular question: Can great skin be created? Phillips and Dr. Orentreich oversaw Clinique’s debut lineup of 117 skin care products, however the brand’s simple three-step system — cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize — is what continues to resonate with shoppers today. It was the first dermatologist-backed prestige skin care line to launch in the US, and in a world where rose-scented salves reigned department store beauty aisles, the best Clinique skin care products were an anomaly for their fragrance-free formulations.
WWD Shop Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Commerce Editor Claire Sullivan tests Clinique’s Moisture Surge moisturizer in our New York City office.
WWD/ Claire Sullivan
Clinique’s skin care offerings were the brand’s driving force in its nascent days, but by the ’90s, its makeup made a splash. The crown jewel? Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, a raisin-toned tint that became the ‘It’ lip color for ’90s icons like Drew Barrymore and Courteney Cox. The your-lips-but-better lipstick is seeing a resurgence now courtesy of TikTok-viral posts — we saw the lipstick sell out multiple times in 2023. This year, Clinique expanded the Black Honey franchise to include a lip oil, eyeshadow palette, and mascara.
To select the best Clinique products, our editors tested 31 of the brand’s bestsellers. Narrowing down the top 11 beauty products was a tall order — very few Clinique products left us unimpressed. The below Clinique products stand out for their sensitive skin-friendly formulas, impressive results, and value. Ahead, browse the best Clinique skin care and makeup products you’ll want in your beauty rotation, stat.
Top Clinique Beauty Products of 2024
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Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
Perhaps Clinique’s most iconic face moisturizer, Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion remains a top face cream for dry skin types that tamps down irritation and floods skin with moisture with just two pumps. This top Clinique moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin, as well as sunflower seed cake and barley extract that help to strengthen the skin barrier.
Editor testing and review notes: “This is the first dry skin moisturizer I incorporated into my skin care routine as a teenager — a decade and change later, and this face cream holds up. It’s a fragrance-free formula that’s great for hydrating sensitive skin, also wearing beautifully under any makeup I apply on top. I love how silky the formula feels on my skin and that the airtight container keeps every precious bit fresh until I use it up.” — WWD Shop Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor Claire Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $33
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
TikTok is known for bringing back nostalgic trends and giving them a new life. Before the highly coveted tinted balm earned 450 million views on TikTok for its comfortable wear and wine-stained effect, stars like Drew Barrymore, Liv Tyler, and Molly Ringwald popularized the shade in the ’90s. Once you swipe it on, it’ll become the lip product that you reach for the most — it’s hydrating, flattering, and buildable.
Editor testing and review notes: “Clinique Black Honey is oomph in a tube. Although the bullet looks nearly black, the pigment goes on ultra sheer to give your lips a you-but-better effect. If you don’t like to wear lipstick but love a little color on your lips, this will be your new gold standard.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $23
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion 2 is a bestseller for its effective formula that resurfaces skin without causing redness or peeling. Its star ingredient is witch hazel, a proven acne-fighting ingredient and blackhead remover that helps control excessive oil production on the skin. This formula also contains hyaluronic acid to restore moisture after use, resulting in a plumped, clear complexion. It was one of the first Clinique beauty products to launch, functioning as the essential exfoliant in the brand’s three-step system.
Editor testing and review notes: “As much as I want to start pinching my skin as soon as I see a pesky blackhead pop up, I know that slow and steady wins the race for clearer pores. This skin-clearing toner was the product that gave me the epiphany. When I use it nightly, I notice that my pores are far less noticeable in a magnifying mirror and without any redness or sensitivity. For those with combination skin like me, this is true godsend. It tamps down oiliness in my T-zone while treating the rest of my skin to lightweight hydrators for a balanced result.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $22
Clinique Moisture Surge 100 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
There are very few face creams that work well as well on oily, acne-prone skin as they do on the driest skin types. Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator is one of them. The gel moisturizer is souped up with hyaluronic acid plus an aloe bio-ferment; together, these ingredients live up to the product’s name for long-lasting moisture.
Editor testing and review notes: “As someone with dry skin, moisturizers with a gel texture usually don’t cut it. However Clinique’s Moisture Surge Hydrator quickly became my go-to face cream this summer because its lightweight and intensely hydrating — it’s like an I.V. drip for your skin that doesn’t leave you with a greasy texture or a slimy feeling. It feels cooling on contact and has a way of making any foundation I apply on top look more natural and radiant.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $47
Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
Clinique’s Take the Day Off cleansing balm turns the rote task of washing your face into a sensorial step in your self-care routine. The balm melts on the skin as you massage it on, dissolving into an oil that wicks away every bit of makeup and grime. Safflower seed oil is the key ingredient in this top Clinique cleanser; it leaves your skin feeling soft and supple — not stripped! — after rinsing and patting dry.
Editor testing and review notes: “Aptly named, this Clinique cleansing balm removes every bit of grime and makeup that comes its way. It’s softer than many cleansing balms on the market, making it easier to grab the right amount out of the tub without wasting product. I always give myself a mini face massage when I’m rubbing it in; it doesn’t contain fragrance but smells naturally nice. As a contact lens-wearer with sensitive eyes, I also appreciate that it’s ophthalmologist tested.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $53
Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Foundation
This is an excellent foundation for mature skin types and those dealing with discoloration due to the wallop of vitamin C you’ll find in the formula: The free radical-foraging ingredient helps to brighten your overall skin tone, while preventing new dark spots and discoloration from surfacing. Beyond its face serum-caliber ingredients, Clinique’s Even Better Makeup Foundation has a skin-mimicking finish with bulletproof coverage. Rather than settling into fine lines or caking throughout the day, it melds with your skin for a barely-there feel, despite the fact that it packs enough coverage to conceal breakouts. More to love: It’s safe for sensitive skin, available in 50 shades, and fragrance free.
Editor testing and review notes: “I recommend this top foundation to any of my friends who are looking to pull off a no-makeup makeup look. It’s more like a skin tint than a true full-coverage foundation. My skin looks luminous and my tone feels more even when I’m wearing it, and it’s so lightweight that I can smooth on a few layers before heading out on a sunny day without fear of it clogging my pores or melting off my skin.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $46
Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
Treat your skin to a major boost in radiance and moisture overnight with this top hydrating mask. Part of the Moisture Surge line that our editors can’t get enough of, the face mask goes on like a night cream with potent skin-reviving powers. Aloe vera delivers lightweight hydration and irritation-calming benefits, while panthenol floods skin with moisture. Plus, it’s oil-free, meaning acne-prone skin types can slather it on without concern.
Editor testing and review notes: “Talk about beauty sleep: When I apply a generous coat of this face mask before I hit the hay, I wake up looking fresh from a facial. It’s a great hydration booster when I’m traveling or when the temperatures plummet; however I also find that it helps my skin tolerate irritating ingredients like retinol when I layer it on top. The silky texture melts into my skin, so you don’t have to worry about the product transferring onto my pillowcase.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $44
Clinique Happy Eau de Parfum
An antithesis to ’90s grunge sentiments, Clinique Happy perfume made a splash when it hit shelves in 1997. The scent has notes of grapefruit, bergamot, and Hawaiian wedding flower, coming together for an uplifting, crisp effect. While Clinique has since released six variations of this top women’s perfume, the classic is a good as it gets.
Editor testing and review notes: “This was my mom’s signature scent when I was growing up — she always smelled fresh and floral, but not in an overwhelming way. I love cycling this women’s perfume into my summer fragrance rotation, as it’s light, airy, and doesn’t cause a headache when it’s hot outside.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $85
Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Cream
Many of today’s most popular anti-aging serums and creams go for well over $100, however Clinique’s costs you well under that without compromising on results. Rather than relying on vitamin A derivatives like retinol to smooth out unwanted texture and eliminate fine lines, this moisturizer opts for peptides that plump your skin from the inside out. Hyaluronic acid floods fine lines in the short term, while soybean seed extract supports a healthy skin barrier.
Editor testing and review notes: “I recommend this anti-aging face cream to my friends who are just getting into a wrinkle-fighting routine. Because it’s so gentle, you don’t have to alternate days you apply it (as is the case with retinols). It has a rich texture that I prefer to smooth on at night, however it also acts a skin protectant when it’s cold and windy outdoors. I notice subtle smoothing of lines on my forehead and a major boost in radiance when I use it religiously.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $77
Clinique High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara
Clinique’s High Impact Hi-Fi Full Volume Mascara is a top choice for sensitive eyes and those after voluminous lash results: It features a bushy, bristly brush for the outer corners of the lashes that tapers into a fine point for detail work on smaller lashes and the lower lash line. And best of all, this mascara rehabs brittle, dry lashes with a blend of plant-based oils that condition the lashes without causing smudging or smearing.
Editor testing and review notes: “This mascara might be marketed as a volumizing formula, but I personally find that it’s a stand out for its lengthening powers. The conic wand lets me wiggle the inky pigment into my fine inner lashes and easily sweep the longer, thicker hairs toward the outer corners of my eyes. I recommend one to two coats for daytime wear, but you can easily pack on more for a more dramatic eye look.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $27
Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream
Some eye creams are created to tackle singular issues — puffiness, discoloration, dark circles, fine lines, you name it — but this one covers them all. Clinique’s All About Eyes Eye Cream contains ingredients that rehab tired eyes, including caffeine to reduce swelling, vitamin C for dullness, and whey protein to promote elasticity. Best of all, it’s friendly for dabbing on morning and night, as it plays well with makeup you apply on top.
Editor testing and review notes: “Eye creams are a non-negotiable in my skin care routine. This one? Divine! (Don’t just take my word for it, it’s won numerous awards since it debuted decades ago.) It has a rich texture that absorbs in mere seconds after you apply it, helping to depuff, firm, and hydrate my eyes. Another great feature is that it doesn’t pill with other products, so you can layer it over eye serums and use it as a base for a smoother concealer application.” — Sullivan
Price upon publish date of this article: $38
How We Tested and Selected the Best Clinique Beauty Products
Selecting the top 11 Clinique beauty products was a tall order for our editors, who, transparently, love everything they’ve tried in the line. For unbiased feedback, we enlisted a panel of five testers to swatch and slather on 31 of Clinique’s bestsellers. Our panel included men and women with oily to dry skin types, as well as testers who deal with skin sensitivities like rosacea and acne. While testing Clinique skin care, our panel evaluated each product on its feel and results, as well as special features like packaging. The skin care products on this list passed with flying colors across all skin types. Three testers evaluated makeup products from Clinique to assess the items that are most universally flattering (hello, Black Honey!), and to eliminate any Clinique makeup products that pilled with other products, were tricky to apply, or provided lackluster results. Of the 31 products we tested, the below runner-ups were excluded from our list:
- Clinique All About Shadow Quad
- Clinique Cheek Pop Powder Blush
- Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Sunscreen
- Clinique Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator
- Clinique My Happy in Peony Picnic
- Clinique All About Eyes Serum
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Meet the Author
Author Claire Sullivan swipes on Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey in our New York City office.
WWD/ Adam Mansuroglu
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, as well as the latest shopping trends from top beauty brands like Clinique. Sullivan wrote the original version of this article and contributed to the August 2024 update.
