“Can great skin be created? Yes.”
That’s Clinique tagline for their insanely popular skincare line, Clinique 3 Step Skincare System. And with the very attract “Just 3 steps, 3 minutes, twice a day” slogan, it’s no wonder this skincare line has become so popular – and it’s my time to join in the praise for this line!
I began using the Clinique 3 Step Skincare system when I was just turning 18 – I believe it was the summer before I turned 18 (I’m a September baby!).
To put it briefly, I had received a sample of their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (DDML) on holiday and was too paranoid that it would make me breakout (I still was dealing with zits at that age), so I used it on my hands instead.
(Side note: That’s what I recommend – if you feel a cream isn’t good enough or didn’t work for your face, use it as hand cream!)
Anyway. It was only then I saw how insanely soft my hands felt, that when I got home, I bought a full bottle immediately. While I was at the counter, I remembered that I had heard how famous and good their 3 Step Skin care system was, so I decided to try it out too. I had tried every possible brand to try to get my skin better in the past, trying another brand possibly couldn’t hurt, right?
Thank goodness I took that chance!
I was a little hesitant at first, though. This was the first “high end” skincare I was going to use, and I really hoped it worked; for that price, it had to! I took their skin type test (I was Type II) and bought the Facial Liquid Soap in Mild, Clarifying Lotion in 2, and their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.
I used it for 2 weeks before I noticed my skin had calmed down a bit, and before I knew it, I was smitten. After a full 6 weeks, I realized that my skin was free of blemishes. I was overjoyed!
Today, 3.5 years later, I am still using their 3 Step Skincare system, except I have changed the regime a bit. I realized after some time that the toner and moisturizer was a little too much for this hot weather, and would make me an oil slick (a blemish free, smooth oil slick, mind you!). So I cut out on the toner and changed the moisturizer to the oil-free, gel version, and it’s been great. (So great that it warranted it’s own review post.) I can honestly say that this 3 Step System has been a fantastic investment, and I plan to use it until death do us part.
The 3 Step Skin care system doesn’t only help blemishes and zits, though, they do much more. You are typed through 4 skin types, which are categorized through your pore size, sensitivity and skin concerns – everything from zits, to dehydration, to aging, to uneven skin tone. They have a jazzy little skin typing diagram to play with at their counters, it helps you figure out what “you are” in just a few minutes.
So if you are still on the hunt for a great skin care line of products, I highly recommend Clinique’s 3 Step Skin care System. They give out free samples that you can try for a week ( get 4!) so that you can really evaluate and see if it’s working for you – they say you need at least 4 weeks to see.
Have you tried Clinique’s famous skin care regime, or any of the products individually? What do you think of them?
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so glad I read this, I was planning a hop over to Clinique today (need more Black Honey!) so I’m going to grab samples!
Back again! I talked to the Clinique lady and she typed me as a 3 (although I took the test online and it said I was a 2. We’ll see.). Since she said I could return the products if I started to break out, I bought the small kit for $50 with the mild liquid cleanser, the #3 toner, and the lotion. I also bought their Superbalanced foundation, since I’ve never tried it. I’ll let you know how the system works for my skin. I’m excited to try it!
Hey Amanda – that’s great! I really hope it works for you… it really changed my skin and I can definitely recommend it 1000%. Let me know how it works for you!
this skin care line is very expensive here in the Philippines, but you and lot of beauty bloggers give me more reasons to try it out. if it’s really gonna create great skin, then I guess around 2000k in Philippine peso for the entire line shouldn’t be that bad!
How long does a big set approximately last btw?
i mean 2000 pesos (redundancy 2000 + k might mean 2 million, hehe!)
I have used their moisturizer for years, so has my mother. I can’t use their face washes though, they always break my skin out. Weird, but it always happens, and I always think that “maybe since I am older…” it will work.
How much did the set cost?
Oh gosh so sorry for the late reply! Um it costs about US$64? Ah my math is absolutely horrible though, you can do a ‘test’ at a Cilnique counter and ask, I think it’s different to what product you are using.
hi,
i recently bought this system about 2 weeks ago and have noticed that ive been breaking out a lot.
i was wondering if you had that problem?
Hmm… no I never had a breakout when trying it out.
Obviously I still get breakouts now and again but it really helped my skin greatly. Which products did you get?
I tried it and broke out as well but I changed from the liquid soap to the bar soap and I am not breaking out so much anymore. You could try to make that change as well and see if it works.
i got the liquid facial soap oily skin formula, clarifying lotion 3, and the dramatically different moisturizing gel.
Hmm.. I use the exact products except the clarifying lotion… don’t like toners, haha. Maybe try skipping the toner? I’m sure it’s full of alcohol anyway.
By the way, new skin care takes about 6 weeks to ‘work’ and get used to your skin, so hang in there… if after 6 weeks your skin is still bad then I think it’s bad news.
It took a few weeks for me to really see a difference, like I wrote in the review!
okay i’ll try that,
thanks
No problem! Just be patient, I know how frustrating it can be
Let me know how it goes for you. 
Renee hi, do you use the lotion? It has alcohol and it burns. The saleswoman says it is a great product. I feel a burning when I use it, my skin didn’t have any reactions to that lotion but don’t you think it might hurt eventually so much alcohol on our skin?
I just bought it today and it works so well! I can already see the redness go down!
How much did it cost in Singapore dollars? And where did you get your product? I’m thinking of getting this 3 step routine but it looks a little pricey. Do they come in a travel kit, like a smaller size one so that I can try it out before deciding if it works for me? I have really really oily skin (I have to blot that every 3 hours or so) and I think this might be the solution to my oily skin problem.
I bought mine at BHG at bugis. It costs abt $141 and it works great for me
But sadly it dont come in travel kit.
Hi
I’m addicted to Clinique’s 3 step for so many years. I live in Rio (Brazil), the climate is hot and humid most of the year, and I discovered many years ago these simple products that work so well on my skin (combination; now, at 46 years-old, less oily, but still prone to blemishes here and there).
I’m also addicted to Pink Chocolate Matte – the perfect lipstick, also by Clinique. I always make my stock of Clinique products whenever I have a chance to travel abroad. They are the best in my opinion.
Loved your blog! Congrats!
All the best from Rio!
Hi my name is Ana. After doing a little research on oily acne skin… which I Have. I realize that oily skin need moisturizing too. So I went to clinique and did a skin analyst found out that my number is 3 . Bought the set recommended. I went home and tried it right away. As directed. I have to say I’ve never been satisfied with any type of moisturizer on my face before and have never use it again second time since it cause my skin be oilier. But not this time. To my surprise my face didn’t drip with oil and I didn’t Have to use my oil plotting sheet every now and then. Its amazing. I’m excited to see if it helps with my acne.
I bought the three step product also, after being typed at the Clinique counter. My skin has been breaking out ever since i started using it. The toner and “mild” facial wash have made my skin a mess.
You really shouldn’t have cut out the toner, though. If you were feeling oily you should have switched your Clarifying Lotion to number 3. I don’t know if anyone shared the point of difference with you on Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion, but it’s sort of a big deal. Most toners don’t actually do anything for the skin, they’re basically just a “freshener” that makes your skin feel… well, fresh. Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion is actually a chemical exfoliator. In fact, it’s the only chemical exfoliator sold in the prestige market. This means that it chemically removes the top layer of dead skin cells using skin appropriate levels of salicylic acid. Removing this top layer of skin cells allows your moisturizer to actually sink into yours skin and do its work. What’s great about the Dramatically Different Moisturizing products is that they are designed to mimic skin at its perfect balance of oil and water. The Gel is oil free and aloe based, aiding in oil control for skins that have over producing sebaceous glands. If you’re not removing the top layer of dead skin cells your Gel is basically sitting on top of the skin, rather than sinking in and helping to actually control oil and repair the moisture barrier.
I’ve been using this 3 step skincare a week back. It cost me SGD$150. Worried that im too young for this cause im just 18 but it was just too right for my skin. I wear thick make-up sometimes and when i get back home, i don’t usually wash my face and head to bed. >.< I really had bad black/white pore on my nose. The beauty advisor said that i have dry skin too. And when i use this kit, i really feel a change on my face. The pores become less and my face become smooth. And she recommends me Clinique sunblock too. It acts something like a primer. And im really looking forward to see what will happen to my skin/face after a month using this product!
xoxo