Clinique 3-Step Skincare

Clinique 3-Step has always been sort of tricky for me. Having worked for the company for 4 years in the past, it was always a hit or miss for customers (as well as for myself). But, I'm going to explain to you how the sales associate decides what products in the 3-step to give you.

First of all, they will skin type you using the 3-step computer. I was always confused at first about this. I was like, where the heck is the computer, until I realized it was this little board with sliding tabs.

There are quite a few questions on that computer, but there are only 3 important ones related to what skincare they'll recommend. The questions are:

1.What happens to you skin if you went out in the sun without sunscreen?
2.Where is your skin oily and where is your skin dry?
3.How often do you break out?

The first question deals with the sensitivity of your skin. The answer to this question will determine what Clarifying Lotion you will use.
If you always burn: MILD or 1
If you get red and then it turns into a tan within a week or so, then 2.
If you get red and it turns into a tan within a few hours, then 3.
If you never get red and just tan easily, then 4.

The clarifying lotions are meant to exfoliate the skin. They get rid of all the dead skin cells on your face and neck. These are meant to be used with a cotton pad and gently swept across the face and neck (avoiding the eye area).

In time, your skin will usually get stronger, and therefore some people will be able to use a stronger number. However, when you use it, your skin shouldn't sting at all. With the clarifiying lotions (except Mild), there should be a slight tingling. If it hurts your skin or your face gets really red, then the number you are using is too strong.

The second question deals with which soap to use. Clinique carries the bar soap and now a brand new liquid. The liquid version is much better on the skin in my opinion. The purpose of the soap, in Clinique terms, is to deep clean the skin while loosening up the dead skin cells (so that the Clarifying Lotion can easily sweep them away). Here's how they determine which soap to give you:

Dry all over (no oily areas)- Extra Mild
Dry cheeks, slightly oily forehead - Mild Soap
Comfortable cheeks (don't notice any tightness), oily forehead - Oily Skin Soap
Oily all over - Oily Skin Soap

Deciding whether to use the bar or the liquid is solely up to you. But, the liquid versions are more up to par with other cleansers carried by other lines.

The final question of "how often do you break out?" may not make any precedence with the Sales associate since they may recommend the regular Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (DDML) to you if you are more dry, while the newer Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (DDMG) to those of you who are more oily.

I'll just say this, the DDML is slightly more emolient due to the product having mineral oil in it. It makes a great eye cream base (used first, eye creams, as well as, any other moisturizer, absorbs into the skin much more smoothly). And if you do have drier skin and can tolerate mineral oil, this stuff applies nicely.

For me, I like to avoid anything with mineral oil, so the gel is the version I like. It is oil-free and lightweight on the skin. Because of the gel base, it feels nice and cooling on the skin. If you are prone to a lot of breakouts or are sensitive to mineral oil, then the gel is a great inexpensive (for a department store brand) choice to use. It does have a few more antioxidants included than the lotion.

For those of you who find that these two moisturizers are not enough for your skin, under the Clinique system, they recommend applying another moisturizer over it (as I noted when discussing the DDML).

My overall thoughts on the 3-Step:
I love the Clarifying Lotion MILD version. Most sales associates will steer you away from it, albeit due to the fact that it only comes in the smaller size (less price). But, to me, the mild is the best version due to the face that it includes no alcohol (even though Clinique says it is cosmetic alcohol- which CAN still be drying). The mild version also includes aloe to soothe and calm the skin.

Soap wise, I do like the Mild Liquid Soap. This is a good, no frills, gel cleanser that doesn't seem to dry my skin out.

And with regards to the moisturizer, my skin is very complicated. If I wasn't a product hoarder, and had to commmit to this moisturizer, my skin (very dry, but extremely breakout prone) would use the DDML for under eyes and around my mouth, while using the gel everywhere else. AND THEN, I would probably have to apply another cream over that since I am so dry.

So, if you really want to give Clinique skincare a try, go to the Clinique counter, maybe have the Sales associate demo the items on you so that you can feel it on your skin. With so many skincare lines out there now, they should oblige.