Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 Review

Not sure where to start with the Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2. Talk about mixed reviews – this Clinique 2 toner seems to be like marmite. People either love it or hate it!

What is the purpose of clinique clarifying lotion?

Clinique Clarifying Lotion is a liquid exfoliator created to eliminate dead skin, eliminate surplus oil, and uncover a revitalised and more youthful appearance. By using this product, your moisturiser can effectively perform its intended function, ensuring optimal results for your skin.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion is the second step in their 3 step skincare program. There are different types of clarifying lotion you can get depending on your skin type. There is a ‘mild’ lotion, a 1, 2, 3, a 4 and also an ‘anti-blemish solution.

I have Clarifying lotion 2, which is aimed at dry/combination skin. My skin is mostly dry, yet I can get an oily t-zone.

It’s the ingredients that I’ve seen criticised the most, so let’s take a closer look… at Cliniques Clarifying Lotion.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 Ingredients

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 Ingredients:

Water, Alcohol Denat, Glycerin, Hamamelis Virginiana (witch hazel), Menthol, Acetyl, Glucosamine, Trehalose, Soudium Hyaluronate, Butyene Glycol, Sodium Bicarbonate, Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 33 (CI 17200), EXT Violet (CI 60730)

Woah. What the flying frick does this mean?

I did a bit of research because I don’t know the first thing about this crap. I’ll summarise what I’ve learnt so you can see what fun chemicals I’ve been putting on my face. Yay I’ve only looked at the top 5 because I’m lazy these were the ones that kept coming up time and time again.

Water.

Hi, water. We’re friends already no need to explain this one.

Alcohol Denat:

This is alcohol that’s had something added to it to prevent it from being drinkable. Doom, I usually like my alcohol drinkable. It’s used in skin care products because it’s a preservative, an anti-bacterial, it increases the penetration of key ingredients and it’s an astringent – stripping oil out to get rid of shine and give a matte/dry feel to oily skin.

There are lots of for and against arguments out there regarding using alcohol in skin products. I’d stay away if you have really dry skin as it is very drying, it strips your skin of moisture and can also be irritating. It’s also used in a lot of acne products to dry out spots but could be bad in the long run for acne by hampering your lipid barrier.

Glycerin.

Glycerin can be made from natural products like vegetable oil or synthesised from propylene alcohol. It’s also known as glycerol. It gives the skin a healthier, more natural-looking appearance and most people are very tolerant to it, experiencing no irritation. It’s good for skin diseases such as psoriasis as it encourages the skin to mature in normal fashion, rather than shedding to quickly.

It can also help wounds heal faster. It also helps prevent dry skin by attracting water and helping skin keep a healthy water balance which is how it helps it look healthier and more natural. 

Hamamelis Virginiana (witch hazel)

A great product for skincare – it’s great for acne, reduces inflammation and redness, it reduces pore size and removes excess oil from the skin while promoting moisture. It’s also great for soothing sunburn.

Menthol

Menthol comes from natural sources, such as peppermint and eucalyptus plants. It can also be produced synthetically. As it has a cooling sensation, it’s often used in products that refresh and revitalise skin

What Clinique Clarifying Lotion Do?

Have you ever asked yourself ‘what does clarifying lotion do’? Well, it’s supposed to be a toner/exfoliating lotion. It claims to remove any dirt or excess oil missed by cleansing and remove any dead skin cells. It also refines pores. The removal of dead skin cells is said to help moisturiser and makeup apply evenly.

Does The Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 Work?

I can’t answer that question for you, from what I’ve read from reviews it is very hit and miss. Like I said in the opening of this post, some loved this product and others hated it and wanted to stab it in the face.

I would suggest you give it try if you are able. I usually have very sensitive skin, but this did not irritate me at all so I felt a bit weird reading reviews telling people with dry skin to stay away!

I was a bit frightened at first as the Clinique toner smells like nail varnish remover. The sensation it gives to my skin is so strange, it’s like putting nail varnish remover on my skin. It’s very cooling and I can see how it could sting some people’s skin. I had a mild tingle, at most. I kind of liked it. But I’m not a normal person though, so how you take that is up to you.

The best thing about this is that I’ve never had a toner that has moved so much dirt after cleansing as this. The cotton pad is always very dirty when I’ve used it, even if my face is cleaned right before and looks and feels fine! It’s scary how much is picked up by this toner.

I can’t say it makes my skin look much better, but it feels fresher, cleaner and really helps with my dryness.

Is clarifying lotion a toner?

Yes, clarifying lotion is a type of toner.

Does The Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 Work?

I can’t answer that question for you, from what I’ve read from reviews it is very hit and miss. Like I said in the opening of this post, some loved this product and others hated it and wanted to stab it in the face.

I would suggest you give it try if you are able. I usually have very sensitive skin, but this did not irritate me at all so I felt a bit weird reading reviews telling people with dry skin to stay away!

I was a bit frightened at first as the Clinique toner smells like nail varnish remover. The sensation it gives to my skin is so strange, it’s like putting nail varnish remover on my skin. It’s very cooling and I can see how it could sting some people’s skin. I had a mild tingle, at most. I kind of liked it. But I’m not a normal person though, so how you take that is up to you.

How to use Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2

To use the Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2, you should apply it with a cotton ball, sweeping gently over your face and neck, avoiding the eye area and lips. This product is for external use only, and its main function is to gently exfoliate your skin, removing dulling flakes and excess oil, and prepping it for moisturiser. The product has a slightly harsh formula, but it is effective in improving skin texture and appearance, especially for dry combination skin. The author of a review uses it every other day in the evening and has seen improvement in her skin.

The best thing about this is that I’ve never had a toner that has moved so much dirt after cleansing as this. The cotton pad is always very dirty when I’ve used it, even if my face is cleaned right before and looks and feels fine! It’s scary how much is picked up by this toner.

I can’t say it makes my skin look much better, but it feels fresher, cleaner and really helps with my dryness.