Make sure they Clarify the ingredients before you buy! (Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2)

Member Name: malteser1987

Product:	Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
Date:	31/05/09 (98 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gets rid of the dirt, different numbers for different skin types.

Disadvantages: Number 2 has menthol which hurts sensitive skin! Expensive

I worked around these products for 2 years as a supervisor/sales assistant at a department store and have had the benefit of being able to try out these products first hand with all the genuine advice of the sales team for the individual concessions. We used to use clarifying lotion number 2 to get tough stains off of the glass counters - it's great on that troublesome grime that bleach or really strong cleaners can't get out!

Before we start out - I actually quite like most of the Clinique range but I have had my run ins with various expensive ranges and have found numerous problems because of my delicate skin. Prior to getting the inside knowledge as to why this product didn't suit my personal skin type, I went to another department store for a recommendation. They put me onto the 3 step cleansing routine that is one of the fundamentals of Clinque's products. The soap and moisturiser I had little problem with. The moisturiser wasn't very rich for my liking and my make up seemed to slide around my face so it wasn't suitable for me but the number 2 clarifying lotion was totally inadequate. It is designed specifically for combination skin and is a toner - you use it after you've cleansed your skin in order to pick up and remove all the dead skin cells. They do this excellent demonstration on the back of your hand which produces a very nasty dirty cotton wool bud and I can't deny that it works - it really does lift the dirt out of your skin. I did tell them that my skin was especially sensitive and this was the recommendation, which a second consultant said was completely unsuitable and should never have been given to me. Where I had used the lotion, my skin became unsightly and red, blotchy and irritated. She recommended it after every wash, the later consultant offered me number 3 clarifying lotion twice a week if needed!

The great thing about these products is genuinely, they do work. The problem specifically with the number 2 which seems to be bypassed by some consultants trying to push the product, is that it contains menthol - an astringent which means sensitive skin will undoubtedly react which mine did. The number 2 is the ONLY one with menthol in it and according to the website it is for dry/combination skin types. The number 3 worked perfectly but I realised that the whole system left my skin raw and exposed because of the constant attention my skin was getting. It is all well and good spending lots on your skin care regime, but I have found myself buying very cheap unperfumed soap and unnamed brand moisturisers to the same or better effect than the expensive brands.

Although this product does work, get the inside knowledge. We did use this to clean the counters and a lot of these products are incredibly strong and you need to be careful with what you're applying to your face. This is not worth the over-the-counter price of £13.70 for 200ml and £22.51 for 400ml. Check out the other numbers if you really do want this product and get a small tester bottle. They were good for swapping the product - it was their mistake but to be honest, if you know what you're buying get it online - you will find it cheaper!

Summary: Excellent product range, expensive price tag - know what you're getting!