A great addition to your skincare routine. (Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2)

Member Name: mu_reviews4u

Product:	Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
Date:	12/01/09 (69 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of formula's so you're sure to find the right one, Easy to use, Great value.

Disadvantages: Strong scented.

Having almost always used a physical exfoliator (the scrubbing, grainy lotion type) it was no surprise to the Clinique Sales Assistant when I complained that my skin was becoming a little more senstive than usual in the Winter months. She recommended I try out the 'Clarifying Lotions' and gave me a sample of both 1 and 2 to try out, telling me to "Look for a strong cooling sensation, but not a stinging or burning". So, with enough for a week or so of use, I headed home to try them out.

The Clinique 'Clarifying Lotions' are designed to 'sweep away dead skin cells' with no abrasive scrubbing. They claim to reveal smoother, softer skin with more 'light reflective qualities'. They optimize the cell turnover of the skin to uncover the 'natural radiance' within. They prep the skin for more effective moisturising and create a smoother, more even base for makeup to sit on. They provide your skin with a cooled, refreshed feeling.
It is available in five different, custom fit strengths:

Mild - For the driest, most delicate skins.
One - Suitable for the most sensitive of us :-)
Two - For normal to combination / oily types.
Three - Suitable for oily skinned types.
Four - For very oily, almost greasy skinned users.

Number Two deemed the most successful for my (normal to sometimes slightly combination) skin so I went back to Boots a week or so later and picked up the full size bottle. I paid £14.00 for 200ml, so it's good value for money too. It is packaged in a tall clear tube - great, since you can easily see when you are running out - with a flip lid that allows a small amount to be released with each use. They have a strong alcohol / witch hazel scent which may be a turn-off to some users, but I don't mind it personally and it's easy enough to look past :-)

To apply I squirt a small amount onto a cotton pad and gently wipe all over the skin of my face and neck, concentrating around my mouth where, for some reason, I tend to break out more than the rest of my face. Although Clinique recommend you use this twice a day, I found that a little drying for my skin so I now only use it every evening (unless it's feeling particularly congested). I stay away from the eye area and directly below it since it can sometimes feel slightly uncomfortable.
I use after cleansing but before my moisturiser (which absorbs a lot quicker and easier too - they wern't lying!!)

Once applied, it gives a strong cooling, refreshing and almost tingly sensation to the skin, though the Sales Assistant reasurred me that it's simply doing it's job.
Before I started using the 'Clarifying Lotion' I had a small breakout on one side of my mouth / cheek and a small area of aggravated and red skin too. A few days into using this product, the pimples had cleared and the rest of my skin was clearer, smoother and re-newed. The rest of my skin was softer and clearer looking too - Perfect!

And after using this for a few months I have really noticed a difference in the texture and appearance of my skin overall. It is smoother, more even toned and more radiant looking.
I would definately recommend that you at least give this product a try, especially since Clinique are helpful and generous with their samples. Definately worth trying if you have slightly problem skin - just be sure to be matched to the correct formula first :-)

Summary: A+