Clinique 3 Step Skin Care System Review : Dry-Combination Skin

I have been using the Clinique Three Step Skin care system religiously for almost two weeks now and so I think it’s a good time to review it.

My skin is dry -combination during summers.ย  Mostly it is dry only but on hot summer days, my Tย  Zone tends to get slightly oily. Clinique classifies the skin type into 4 types

  1. Very Dry
  2. Dry- Combination
  3. Combinatio- Oily
  4. Very Oily

What is Clinique Three Step Skin Care routine?

3 steps, 3 minutes. Twice a day. In about two weeks dull and flaky becomes lively and translucent. Works gently, with each step enhancing the next.

I was given a sample kit that consisted of 15 ml tube/ bottles of liquid cleanser, clarifying lotion (2) and moisturizing lotion.

Clinique Three Step Skin Care

Step 1: Facial Soap:
Bar or Liquid. This non-drying formula cleans gently, thoroughly. To cleanse, lather Clinique Facial Soap over face. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry. Follow with Clarifying Lotion.

My Review on Clinique Facial Cleanser: The cleanser is mild, does not leave my skin dry and after using this I feel that my skin is squeaky clean. I amย  more comfortable using soap free cleansers. You may call it my mind block but that’s how it is. Otherwise the cleanser is excellent. Rating: :-* :-* :-* :-*

Clinique Three Step Skin Care Routine - Cleanser
Clinique Three Step Skin Care Routine - Cleanser

Step 2: Clarifying Lotion
The difference-maker. Exfoliates to bring brighter, smoother skin to the surface. A gentle tingle tells you it’s working. Apply Clarifying Lotion with a cotton ball after cleansing with Clinique Facial soap. Sweep gently over face and neck, avoiding eye area and lips. Available in five different strengths, one for every skin type.

My Review on Clinique Clarifying Lotion No.2 : I generally don’t use toners because they make my skin super dry. I use rose water which works as a mild toner. I was a little skeptical about using this one but to my surprise, it works great. It is an alcohol based toner so I keep my eyes closed for a few seconds after applying it or else my eyes sting. It works great in removing the dead skin cells, reducing the size of the pores and it leaves your skin feeling fresh and clean. Excellent! Rating: :-* :-* :-* :-*

Clinique Three Step Skin Care Routine - Clarifying Lotion
Clinique Three Step Skin Care Routine - Clarifying Lotion

Step 3: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or Gel
Softens, smooths. Maintains skin’s optimal moisture balance. Apply Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion or Gel over face and throat all over, or just where needed. Oilier skins may need to apply lotion or gel only on drier areas, like the eyes and neck.
My review on Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion : The moisturizer is light, non greasy and gets absorbed in my skin quickly. Even after hours of its application my skin doesn’t feel dry or dehydrated. It leaves my skin soft and plump after I apply it. Rating: :-* :-* :-* :-*

Clinique Three Step Skin Care Routine - Moisturizer
Clinique Three Step Skin Care Routine - Moisturizer

My overall experience with Clinique Three Step Skin care routine has been good. *Touchwood* I don’t have a problematic skin so there is no drastic difference that I have seen in my skin. I always do my three step skin care routine twice a day otherwise as well. The only reason I would not purchase the full bottles/ tubes of the Clinique Three Step Skin care routine is the price.Since it is a high end brand, I can’t complain much. The economic pack (125 ml) is for Rs 4630 and the regular pack is for Rs 3480 ( Cleanser-200 ml, Clarifying lotion- 120 ml, moisturizer-50 ml). When it comes to skin care products I like to have more economical ranges so that I can use the products generously and according to my needs. I might purchase the Clarifying lotion because out of the three that’s the one one I found exceptional and it worked really well for my skin. I would just like to mention that the Clarifying Lotion is alcohol based so it might not suit everyone. Infact, it might react badly on some people.ย  I am very happy that Clinique has the policy of giving away the sample products. Atleast we can be sure of what suits our skin and what not.

Have you used Clinique’s Three Step System?

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57 thoughts on “Clinique 3 Step Skin Care System Review : Dry-Combination Skin

    1. You know the best thing about the three step is that it keeps you in system. You kind of feel guilty if you skip a step. That actually helps. Glad it works for you. I also quite liked it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  1. Sounds great… But i agree.. Their are many good products available out there which are much more affordable..

    I couldn’t help but calculate how much makeup i could buy with the money i’ll save if i don’t use this…… :rotfl: :rotfl:

    1. The products are lovely but the prices are sky rocketing. Since I have dry skin, I like to apply moisturizers generously, with this one I would be a little uncomfortable.

      lol!!I know I could go an buy 2 luxury eyeshadow palettes within this price. ๐Ÿ˜›

  2. Hmmmm…..to expensive for me…..at this price I could buy a 2-g gold ring…sorry can’t shake off the mallu mentality……I am sure dear fathima will agree. ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. You know Ki, the three step has worked wonders for some people especially for people within acne prone skin etc. I have a decent skin so I don’t feel the need to buy the full packs. I would really suggest that you give their trial pack a shot. ๐Ÿ™‚

      It’s a high end brand so I can’t really say much about the price.

  3. The product sounds good..I got my skin tested at Clinique and am supposed to get products from Skin type No 3. The counter did not have samples.

    But prices are a li’l too steep.. ๐Ÿ˜•

  4. Hey Rati… I just strtd waling with a stick will leave the stick in another 15-20 days and then its shopping time… yaaaaaayyyy.!!!!

    I know.. very steep but atleast we can try it before hand..!!! I’m using H2O right now and though its expensive its GOOD.. im liking.. infact im loving one of the products i got as samples and i’ll definitely buy it even if its expensive.. hows a girl going to survrive without a lil pampering..??

    1. *huggguuuu tight* I hope you start running and jumping soon. ๐Ÿ™‚ With the high end brand si have realized that the products do turn out to be good most of the times. We pay for the quality. Isn’t it?

      Can’t tell you how glad I am to hear this. Bf must be jumping with joy? ๐Ÿ™‚

      :-* :-*

      1. Thank u soooooo much for all the love and blessings…!!!! :-* :-*

        Can’t even explain how happy he is..!!! Though we went on alot of dates even when i cudnt walk…lol..!!! but all the dates were just in the car.. but yesterday we went to Big Chill.. had fun got special treatment bcos of the stick..lol enjoyed a lot… it was so good to go out..!!!!

  5. Hehe…. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    They are damn expensive in full sizes! ๐Ÿ˜ฏ and how come u got a cuter sample bottle of the lotion! ๐Ÿ˜ฅ Mine is in a boring tube lol.

    Gotta use mine up too n decide what’s worth shelling out money for For now I’m loving the lotion

    โ™ฅxxโ™ฅ

    1. You are impossible, Cynth. Crying coz I got a cuter bottle.loll!!! Actually I liked the entire 3 step but can’t shell in so much for something that is not exceptional. Might buy more makeup with the same money. ๐Ÿ˜€

  6. major ingredient of the famed dramatically different moisturising lotion is…. MINERAL OIL! people need to think twice before buying such an expensive product that contains such a cheap ingredient.

  7. Hey Girls,

    I used to be a big time sucker for Clinique and all things bright from their line ๐Ÿ˜€ i was so passionate that it bordered the insanity ๐Ÿ˜› not.

    However i see some flaws on them now after the experience ๐Ÿ˜€ I used the large kit for dry-comb Skin only until it lasted so here goes my two cents:

    Mild Soap – Lasted for 4 months – but as my skin was wrongly tested in Clinique, and it happens a lot!!! i mean you check with one SA its Dry-Comb than with another its Oily-Comb. But i got into the first consultation and took home the mild soap, that i used but always made me feel like unclean face. Here i am with Rathi. I rather user soap free products (verdict: lesson learnt would not get it again ๐Ÿ˜€ )

    Clarifying lotion 2 – Lasting till today (1o months i guess =/) Its really great and take away the oil from my face in seconds and still let it feel comfortable (again, she said that in spite of me having a comfortable t-zone my skin is type 1 means ‘too fair’ so it does not tan, thats why CL – 2) (veredict: last long, good toner but no ‘miracle in a bottle’ for the price i would skip)

    Mosturizer – Lasted around 6 months – I chose the Dramatically different Gel, as from the samples the lotion felt to heavy on my oil prone skin. It worked good but at that price, i would expect a lot lot more from a moisturizer it doe not even have any SPF and the bottle with the pump is just hopeless, when the cream reaches 1/5 you cant reach any more of the cream and its just hopeless gosh… (verdict: would get it for less money and in a dif bottle :D)

    So I would say for you that is reading this: Rathi who tested it for 2 weeks and I that have been a long term user the verdict is almost same, Good products but for those prices you are buying only a label, not much of a miracle that you wouldnt find in l less pricey brands from retail outlets…

    1. I totally agree with you, Deborah. Although I quite like the clarifying lotion. I use it twice or thrice a week depending on how my skin behaves. I like the squeaky clean effect I get after using it . I agree, good products but do not work wonders. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Thank you for the quicky review and welcome to IMBB. ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. Rati, was just sharing my two cents ๐Ÿ˜€ as they are very expensive products and we shouldn’t be lured into buying them only for the glamor of it or for the nice freebies, we as costumers must have our money respected. Also my apologies on misspelling your name and Thanks a million for welcoming me on IMBB. ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Thanks Rati..I am in delhi..I am gonna head to rajouri Shopper’s stop tomorrow only..Cant wait..I guess i wont be even able to sleep now. ๐Ÿ˜€ ๐Ÿ˜€ ..did u get my email query for oriflame concealers..plz suggest something before my sis decides not to invite me to her wedding..plz plz.. ๐Ÿ˜ฅ ๐Ÿ˜ฅ ๐Ÿ˜ฅ ๐Ÿ˜ฅ

  9. was using clinique 3 step for a long time (type 2) and it suited me really well…but lately i feel that the liquid facial soap and the toner are making my skin kinda itchy n red,,,has anyone had a problem like this?? ?:-)

  10. Hi Rati… Ur lucky you got a sample pack, Clinique is really expensive. I went to the Clinique store at Chennai and they didnt have any sample packs ๐Ÿ™ I did a demo of the 3 steps of No. 3 for oily skin and was amazing. They had a good value pack of the cleanser, toner and moisturiser with the sun block free for Rs. 3480/- I did not pick it up, one because of the cost and also am taking treatment from dermatologist as I had breakouts last month.

    1. Dorothy, they give samples to customers all over the country. I wonder why Chennai didn’t have. :((

      I dont use their full range but I use their clarifying lotion religiously. I has helped me a lot in keeping my black heads at bay.

      1. Hi Rati, Thank you for this lovely blog. I have been folowing this blog for some time now and share the tips with all of my girlfriends. It has been really informative for us ๐Ÿ™‚

        Well, the girl at the Clinique counter told me unless I bill she will not give me sample packs. Since under treatment I told her I cant buy NOW but would like to try the sample packs and come back and she said they wr out of sample packs for then. I guess they reserve rights to giving out sample packs ?:-)

        1. Hi Dorothy,

          Thanks a lot. :)) may be different places have different rules. So I cant comment much on that. ๐Ÿ™

          Regarding Sebamed I have heard about it but never tried it. Thank you for sharing. :))

      2. BTW the skin doc (Dr. Sugumar – Chennai’s best skin doc) had asked me to use, Sebamed facial foam face wash, I have been using it for 2 weeks now and my skin has stopped the breakouts, white heads black heads disappearing and makes me look brighter, I dont use any face cream or makeup. Sebamed facial foam is Rs 550/- for 150ml and worth it. My sis seeing the results on my face has started using it too :laugh:

  11. I have been using clinique past couple of years but don’t see a drastic effect. Can u suggest a good day and night regimen for combination skin.

    M in my late 20’s.

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