Clinique • Clarifying Lotion #1 • Toners

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misfitroses on 5/19/2013 4:00:00 PM more reviews by misfitroses

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I have the dry skin version. I love it! It helps my face so much. Before i used this my face looked really dry with foundations. But it looks so nice now.

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Sunnydelite62901 on 5/18/2013 3:47:00 AM more reviews by Sunnydelite62901

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight   Eyes: Brown    

I think this toner is pretty good, granted I am reviewing this for the dry skin version and I have combo skin, the other two versions are horriable and will dry your skin out! I've been using this for about 3 weeks, and the weather is getting warmer here, it's helped keep skin congestion at back I tend to get clogged pores around the corners of my mouth and my nose and it has helped. As for those with very dry skin I wouldn't recommend this but if your combo or just a little oily then this is a good toner I don't use the whole system, for a cleanser I used either clarins shea cleanser or "Moisturizing Bar Soap with Rice Bran and Hinoki Oil" by the brand Hinoki Deitanseki . the price is decent, I alternate between this, my Eskional toner or Dr.Haushka toner for oily skin.

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*TOP REVIEWER* georgia21 on 5/16/2013 8:56:00 PM more reviews by georgia21

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This toner contains drying denatured alcohol as the second ingredient. This makes it too irritating for my dry to very dry and sensitive skin.

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wallflowerrr89 on 3/30/2013 2:53:00 AM more reviews by wallflowerrr89

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I used this toner for over a year as part of the 3 step skin care system. Had no problems until the new bottle I just purchased caused an allergic reaction all over my chin and cheeks after two days of use. I can only guess they changed the ingredients list. Super bummed out.

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GetFat on 4/15/2012 4:53:00 PM more reviews by GetFat

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

This product is OK for OCCASIONAL, or rare, use. When my skin looks really dry or rough, I use a gentle chemical exfoliant and this before moisturizing and it makes my skin really incredibly smooth. Like new.

However, when I first bought it, I got in the habit of using it 1-2x a day. Something about the clean feeling makes it a little addictive, and it wrecked my skin. It was dry, flakey (moreso than usual) and just looking sad. I might buy this again, but I think the bottle will last me much longer now that I maybe use it 1x a week. This is also just too expensive to have such a high concentration of alcohol and butylene glycol in it. I do like the packaging.

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thistle100 on 3/18/2012 1:04:00 PM more reviews by thistle100

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I've been using toners and moisturizers on my face for nearly 30 years, and I have never had a reaction until now. But I've reacted twice in the last few weeks, since I started using the Clinique Clarifying Lotion #1.


The first reaction occurred when I used Neal's Yard Frankincense Nourishing Cream on top of it. My face started swelling a little, and turned bright red. The second time was today. I used the Clarifying Lotion a few days ago and have washed my face many times since. Today, I decided to try Jason's Aloe Vera 84 percent Ultra-Comforting Moisturizing Creme, and within minutes had the same redness and swelling.


The only common denominator was the Clinique Clarifying Lotion. I've used both those moisturizers in the past with no reaction. I think the toner must be stripping the skin so much that it is left ultra-sensitive for days.

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Sunshineyaaa on 1/23/2012 3:27:00 AM more reviews by Sunshineyaaa

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

The #1 version is the most gentle. It doesn't dry out my skin like the # 2 and #3 versions do. It really gets your skin clean. I would suggest that you use a moisturizer afterwards though since this toner does contain alcohol which can be very drying. I'm not sure why they call it a "lotion" when it is actually a toner.

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Luluwastaken on 4/17/2011 9:40:00 AM more reviews by Luluwastaken

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Much better toner than #2, this product is gentle enough for me, but it really removes dead skin cells and impurities, my skin is noticeably softer and it seems to help clear up existing blemishes.
Update/ I don't reach for this at all, as my skin had become drier.

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whatthefrig on 1/22/2011 6:15:00 AM more reviews by whatthefrig

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I really like this toner, it's probably better than the #2 and #3 toner, even if you do have oily skin. I do notice the difference in the alcohol levels. I used the #2 toner before but I didn't like it very much because of the alcohol, but this doesn't nearly contain as much as the others, you can even smell it. So it's not as nearly drying as the others, I'd even recommend this to oilier skin-types like me.
Clinique has also developed a new formula to the clarifying lotions so now it also contains glycerin, hyaluronic acid and trehalose which regulate the skin's moisture balance.
The one thing that they do need to fix with this is the packaging, it's a screw-top and if you accidentally knock it over, it's completely gone, so be careful when handling it.
I also think that it doesn't seem to be lasting very long, I've had it for about a week now and about a sixth of it has been used up (I've been using it twice a day, it's the 6.7 fl.oz bottle), but maybe it's just me.
So if you didn't like the other clarifying lotions, go out and get this one instead, trust me, you'll like it much more.

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darksunnygirl on 12/30/2010 10:33:00 PM more reviews by darksunnygirl

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Totally amazing toner. It helps keep skin clean, makes pores a little bit smaller with a cool feel. It helps keep my skin clean and clear… this is a big bottle… will last about ten months using 1-2 times a day. Great product. Will buy again in the future.

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wonderhj on 12/2/2010 5:16:00 PM more reviews by wonderhj

Age: 30-35   Skin: Very Dry, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this as part of Clinique's 3 step skin care. I read good things about the products in this line. So when I was at Macy's and they were having GWP for Clinique, I bought it.

In theory, this is a good idea. Using 3 skin care products everyday for a better skin. The price is not that bad compared to other department store brands either. But based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend this to a friend. I'd tell them to save money and buy something better.

Liquid soap: Just ok. Nothing to write home about. I always use Noxzema's cleansing cloth to remove makeup before washing my face so I don't know if it's effective when used alone. I heard that it was better to just use water in the mornings to remove night cream from the previous night so I don't use liquid soap/face wash in the morning. It seemed mild enough though.

Clarifying lotion: I have dry sensitive skin and this thing stung. I also felt that my skin was dry after this. Bobbi Brown's toner (my HG) always gets the makeup residue after face wash and it leaves skin feeling moist so I was underwhelmed.

Dramatically Different Lotion: The only dramatic thing about this product was that it didn't moisturize at all. It seems like this product may be more appropriate for people with oily skin.

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laurendobi on 11/14/2010 2:22:00 PM more reviews by laurendobi

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I really like this toner, it doesn't dry me out because my skin's kind of oily. It treats all my pimples and I like that it is alcohol-y, because I don't like mild toners because my face doesn't feel clean enough. A flip up cap would have been nice, but the bottle is good quality. This toner lasted me like six months sing a little bit on a cotton pad every day. I would recommend this.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Jinhee on 9/28/2010 10:31:00 PM more reviews by Jinhee

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Received this as a GWP and I really like it as a spot treatment. Made the mistake of putting it all over my face after cleansing and had to wash it off. Quite drying for my sensitive, dry skin. But using it only on t-zone areas, it killed a brewing zit almost over night. I will not be purchasing this because I find clinique skin care in general to be too harsh and drying for my mature skin.

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stella10 on 9/23/2010 4:40:00 AM more reviews by stella10

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red   Eyes: Green    

First toner i used, so i really dont have anything to compare it to, but it cleared all the dilated pores and helped reduce the very mild acne scarring i had. it also seems to have faded my frackles, so i guess it would help with depigmentation too. Loved it, will definitely re-purchase. only thing is the bottle should have a pump!

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busyscmom on 9/14/2010 4:06:00 PM more reviews by busyscmom

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I love this toner. I use it every night after my Clinique face wash. It always picks up some dirt and oil and leaves my skin very soft and ready for the next step. I always regret it if on occasion I skip this step or use some other toner in it's place. HG night time toner !!

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Bindu2009 on 7/16/2010 9:09:00 AM more reviews by Bindu2009

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Medium   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

When i first started using this it worked fine, definitely removed all traces of makeup and dirt after cleasing. The smell is quite strong but i got used to it. Ive been using this for about 6 months now and it worked fine but recently with the change in weather it hasnt worked at all or my skin got used to it, it just dried my skin out so i went to the Clinique counter the lady suggested i use the next one up #2. But in the end i stopped using it and my skin cleared up - maybe my skin just needed a rest from the harsh chemicals.

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kpnuts2 on 6/21/2010 7:42:00 AM more reviews by kpnuts2

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

I use this everyday as part of my morning and eveing routine. In the morning I use it before i put my make-up on. At night I use it after pears soaps to ensure my make-up is off. I love this product and have been using it for around 3 years so far.

Since i've started using it with pears soap though my occassionally breakouts have stopped, I don't think the clarifying lotion was removing all my make-up!

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*TOP REVIEWER* maithy on 3/31/2010 1:56:00 AM more reviews by maithy

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Clinique clarifying is good, I been used level 2&3, but im afraid much alcohol in those harsh my skin so I change to this lightest Level 1. After using, I found out that its not suitable for my combo skin, its too gentle to take off all the dirty n oil deep down in pores, then leaves a thin moisture film . Thats dont bother me but this level 1 just really works for the needs of dry/very dry skin. I will be back to level 3 which cleans my skin n tighten pores so well.

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marie28 on 3/27/2010 4:53:00 PM more reviews by marie28

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Good toner. Takes of the cleanser residue and makes my skin feel refreshed in the morning. Also helps my skin hold my moisturizer. I really like this product.

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VeryVain1985 on 3/1/2010 10:49:00 PM more reviews by VeryVain1985

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

My HG toner of the past two years. I've started to use the Clinique 3 step system two years ago and to date I've rotated a lot of different products of other brands in my skincare regimen. And this toner is the only thing from Clinique I've kept in my daily skincare since then, so that says enough I guess.

I've combination sensitive skin and my skin haven't reacted badly ever on this toner. Clinque advices my skintypes to use Lotion nr. 2, but if your skin is a tad sensitive like mine I'll advise you to stay away from nr. 2, because that one way too harsh.

This toner not only cleanses the residue of soap and cleansing milk, but also the dry flakes on my face that I've occasionally. And I also love this lotion, because this doesn't dry out my skin badly like other toners have. After using this toner my skin feels soft and ready to "drink up" the following moisturizer.

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