As beauty editors, our bathroom shelves have seen their fair share of the latest face creams, cleansers, and serums, but the best Clinique products have held their ground through every trend, formula upgrade, and fleeting obsession. There’s just something about the brand’s ability to make skin care feel both classic and cutting-edge at the same time—like how the Moisture Surge line keeps evolving yet remains a go-to for plumped-up, hydrated skin. Or how the Black Honey lipstick, the sheer berry shade that refuses to be anything but universally flattering—a term we use very sparingly—has been a mainstay in our bags for years, only to resurface every few years as the trendiest product on the internet yet again.
Our Top Clinique Products
With so many products to choose from, the editors at Allure did the work—a.k.a. slathered, swiped, and tested our way through over 30 of the brand’s best-sellers—to bring you the 10 absolute standouts. Whether you’re here for a newer launch or the makeup staples that have been around for five decades, these are the best Clinique products we’ll never stop recommending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Balm Dot Com: Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm
Why we love it: Clinique’s Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, an Allure Best of Beauty darling, is basically a spa day, jarred. A tiny scoop melts into a silky cleansing oil that glides over skin, breaking down even waterproof makeup without irritating your eyes. The secret? Safflower oil, which softens and nourishes as it cleanses, so your skin feels baby-smooth instead of stripped. Massage it in as step one of your double cleanse, and suddenly removing your makeup will feel less like a chore and more like a treat. With fewer than 10 ingredients, it’s one of our top picks for more sensitive skin types.
“The Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is chef’s kiss for melting away every trace of makeup—even the stubborn stuff like waterproof mascara. It transforms from a silky balm to a gentle oil, leaving your skin clean but never stripped.”—Angela Trakoshis, former shopping market editor
- Key ingredients: safflower oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Beauty Icon: Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
Why we love it: Clinique’s Almost Lipstick isn’t quite a balm, but it also isn’t quite a lipstick, and this Goldilocks-like formula is exactly why we love it. First launched back in 1971, the sheer formula has found a whole new life on TikTok thanks to Gen Z’s obsession with the shade Black Honey, which snagged a 2023 Best of Beauty Award. The lineup also includes its mauve sibling, Pink Honey, and the latest addition to the fam, Nude Honey, which sits perfectly between the two. “But, what makes Black Honey unique is that it’s so universal—it’s perfectly between a warm and cool tone,” New York City-based makeup artist Jewels Grogan told Allure. The featherlight wash of color and texture, infused with castor seed oil, candelilla wax, and vitamin E, makes it a comfortable formula you’ll actually want to reapply all day. It’s no surprise a tube of Black Honey flies off shelves every four minutes.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“What I’ve always liked about the Almost Lipstick formula is that it’s hydrating enough that I don’t need to apply a balm beforehand but it delivers the pop of color I so often crave from regular lip balms. Because of it’s balmy nature, it glides on so smoothly and is super buildable—I like to take my time layering on the color to its fullest potential. The downside is because it’s balm-like, a good amount comes off during a meal, but I don’t mind reapplying—it’s second nature, no matter what kind of lip I’m wearing. If I’m not eating, it lasts throughout the morning or afternoon without losing enough pigment to be noticeable.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: castor seed oil, candelilla wax, vitamin E
- Fragrance-free: yes
Lash Legend: High Impact Waterproof Mascara
Clinique
High Impact Waterproof Mascara
Why we love it: If there’s mascara I trust to survive long days, surprise tears, and the kind of humidity that usually spells disaster for eye makeup, it’s Clinique’s High Impact Waterproof Mascara. Unlike most waterproof mascara formulas that can leave lashes feeling stiff or flaky, this one keeps them soft and lifted while delivering major volume. It’s also ophthalmologist-tested and safe for sensitive eyes, making it a go-to for contact lens wearers, anyone prone to irritation, and even brides on their big days. “I especially love this mascara for my teary-eyed brides—it applies smoothly, evenly, and never smudges or clumps, even over false lashes,” Lauren Lumsden, an Austin-based makeup artist, told Allure. The tapered brush grabs every lash, defining and lengthening without clumping or flaking. The result? Long, fluttery lashes that stay put.
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
“I’m a big fan of the way the wand is shaped. The tapered tip makes it easy to get the shorter lashes on my inner corners without smudging mascara everywhere. The formula lengthens my lashes without making them too spidery and adds the perfect amount of volume at the outer edges. Plus, it lasts all day (even on my oily eyelids), but isn’t too difficult to remove with a cleansing balm.” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
- Key ingredients: N/A
- Fragrance-free: yes
Complexion’s Confidant: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
Why we love it: True story: The Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion was a mainstay on many of our moms’ and grandmothers’ vanities 20 years ago—and for some of us beauty editors, it was one of the first skin-care products we ever tried. (Throwback!) Over the years, Clinique has expanded the line to better suit different skin types, including the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, a lighter, oil-free version designed for oily skin. Formulated with glycerin and sodium hyaluronate—two well-known humectants that draw in moisture—it hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy, keeping skin balanced and feeling comfortable throughout the day.
Tester feedback from visuals director Kathryne Hall
“I have really sensitive skin and heavy creams make me break out. This is light enough that I can use it twice a day without it clogging my pores. My skin feels moisturized all day and it layers well under my SPF.”—Kathryne Hall, visuals director
- Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, caffeine
- Fragrance-free: yes
Makeup Melter: Take The Day Off Cleansing Mousse
Clinique
Take the Day Off Facial Cleansing Mousse
Why we love it: Unlike the Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, which melts makeup off with an oil-based texture, the 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Take the Day Off Cleansing Mousse is all about the lather. The airy mousse texture delves deep into skin to break down stubborn sunscreen and long-wearing products, with help from coconut to tackle impurities as well as glycerin and hyaluronic acid to replenish hydration. While it removes makeup or washes away the day’s buildup, it maintains the skin’s moisture balance, making it an excellent cleanser for mature skin that needs extra hydration. Use it as a second step in a double cleansing routine after the balm formula.
“This is my ideal cleanser. It foams up luxuriously, doesn’t feel stripping, and actually gets rid of makeup. It’s also unscented, which I know is a big selling point for some.” —Kara McGrath, content director
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, coconut
- Fragrance-free: yes
Bottle of Light: Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum
Clinique
Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum
Why we love it: A more recent addition to Clinique’s Moisture Surge lineup, Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum is all about skin that looks fresh, healthy, and radiant. Lactic acid (5%) works gently to smooth and refine, while multi-weight hyaluronic acid floods skin with lasting hydration. Vitamin C brightens and evens tone, refreshing dull, flat skin. This lightweight, milky formula absorbs instantly—no stickiness, no greasiness—just soft, bouncy skin. Wear it solo for a dewy boost, or layer it under your favorite moisturizer for an extra hit of hydration.
Tester feedback from editorial assistant ElleAnna Revell
“This serum has the most velvety-smooth texture. My skin tends to be dry and somewhat dull, so I prioritize hydration and brightening products in my routine—and this serum accomplishes exactly that. Since I incorporated it into my morning lineup, my usually-dull skin has developed a morning glow that extends well into the evening. It leaves my face feeling magnificently hydrated and so soft. It has become an absolute go-to for me!” —ElleAnna Revell, editorial assistant
- Key ingredients: 5% lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C
- Fragrance-free: yes
Spray N’ Stay: Set The Day Makeup Setting Spray
Clinique
Set the Day Makeup Setting Spray
Why we love it: On the opposite end of Take the Day Off on the Clinique spectrum, there’s Set The Day Makeup Setting Spray. Just a few ultrafine spritzes hold your look in place, making it transfer-proof, sweat-proof, and humidity-resistant, without causing any smudging. The alcohol-free, sensitive-skin-friendly mist is packed with hydrators like aloe water and vitamin E, adding a fresh burst of hydration with every pump. And, since it’s fragrance-free, it won’t feel like you’re dousing your face in perfume. Keep it on hand for an afternoon pick-me-up or a quick hydration hit on the go.
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“As a combo-skin girl, my makeup tends to slide off by the end of the day—but this spritz keeps everything put. I use it in the morning, and sometimes for a mid-day refresh or extra hold. By the time I get home, my makeup’s still in place, and my skin isn’t looking as greasy.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
- Key ingredients: aloe water, vitamin E
- Fragrance-free: yes
Fragrant Forecast: Happy Body Spritz
Why we love it: Clinique’s Happy Eau de Parfum is an icon in the fragrance world, so when they launched the Happy Body Spritz, a lighter take on the classic, we almost jumped out of our chairs. Scented with red grapefruit, bergamot, Hawaiian wedding flower, and wood, this body mist imparts a perfect blend of florals, citrus, and woods for a summery burst of sunshine that’ll boost anyone’s mood (and maybe even a friend’s upon going in for a hug). With every spritz, it transports us to a beach vacay.
“The original Clinique Happy EDP was one of my very first perfumes back when I was a baby beauty editor. Over the years, I haven’t worn a ton of fragrance, but I was so glad to discover this latest iteration in a lighter, airier format than the original. I love that it’s not overpowering and feels made for everyday wear—versus those special-occasion-only scents you spritz on with caution.”—Christa Lee, contributor
- Scent family: citrus
- Key notes: ruby red grapefruit, bergamot, Hawaiian wedding flower, wood
- Size: 4.2fl oz
Screen Queen: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Broad Spectrum SPF 35
Clinique
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Broad Spectrum SPF 35
Why we love it: Another member of the Dramatically Different line, this face sunscreen is built the same as the OG Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (hi, glycerin and hyaluronic acid), just with a boost of chemical-based SPF 35 for added protection. You can use this on top of your everyday moisturizer if you have drier skin, but it’s hydrating enough to be used alone if you err on the oiler side and don’t need an extra layer of hydration. The biggest pro of this formula is that there is absolutely no white cast (thank you, chemical UV filters)—it blends in like a dream and leaves skin feeling soft and supple.
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Tester feedback from Wohlner
“I can’t stand a white cast, so this SPF instantly won me over. It doesn’t irritate or break out my acne-prone skin, and it melts into the skin like air. Although it’s fragrance-free, there is a faint sunscreen smell when you first apply it, but it disappears in seconds. It also layers perfectly under makeup since, at its core, it’s really a moisturizer.” —Wohlner
- Sunscreen type: chemical
- SPF rating: 35
- Key ingredients: 3% avobenzone, 7% homosalate, 4.5 octisalate, 5% octocrylene, glycerin, hyaluronic acid
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best Clinique products, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, and contributors to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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