I’ve Tested Clinique Products for 15 Years, These Are the Best (2025)

As a beauty editor, my 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 my 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 I use very sparingly—has been a mainstay in my bag for years, only to resurface every few years as the trendiest product on the internet yet again.

Clinique’s catalog is stacked with icons, from the cleansing balm that melts a full face of makeup in just seconds to the pale yellow moisturizer in a rectangular bottle—otherwise known as the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion—that’s graced vanities for literal decades. With so many products to choose from, narrowing down the ones that truly deliver can feel like a challenge. So, I did the work—a.k.a. slathered, swiped, and tested my way through over 30 of the brand’s best-sellers—to bring you the nine absolute standouts. Whether you’re here for the brand new glow-boosting serum launch (more on that below) or the makeup staples that have been around for five decades, these are the best Clinique products I’ll never stop recommending.

My Top Picks

• My Top Clinique Product: Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, $44
• Makeup Melter: Take The Day Off Cleansing Mousse, $34
• Universal Cult Favorite: Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, $25
• For Serious Hydration: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, $34
• Volumized, Stay-Put Lashes: High Impact Waterproof Mascara, $26
• Glowing, Radiant Skin: Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum, $49
• Dark Circles, Be Gone: All About Eyes Eye Cream, $42
• A Gentle Exfoliation: Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion, $22
• Redness Neutralized, Acne Covered: Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup, $39

Frequently Asked Questions

• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

My Top Clinique Product: Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm

Why we love it: With fewer than 10 ingredients—making it perfect for sensitive skin—the Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is my top pick and a past Best of Beauty Award winner. As someone who often wears heavy, waterproof makeup for a night out or event, I dread nothing more than taking it off when I get home—but, beauty editor here, so a clean face is non-negotiable. This is the fastest-working cleansing balm I’ve ever used. As the first step in my double-cleansing routine, just a small scoop of this safflower-powered cleansing balm removes makeup, excess oil, and sunscreen. The best part? It’s incredibly gentle, even on the eyes, thanks to safflower seed oil—rich in fatty acids—that conditions both lashes and skin.

Tester feedback: “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,” says shopping market editor Angela Trakoshis. “It transforms from a silky balm to a gentle oil, leaving your skin clean but never stripped.”

Key ingredients: safflower seed oil, vitamin E | Who it’s for: makeup wearers or anyone who double cleanses | Fragrance-free: yes

Makeup Melter: Take The Day Off Cleansing Mousse

Why we love it: Use the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Mousse as the second step in a double-cleansing routine, after Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, or on its own. A 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, this mousse-to-foam cleanser is packed with hyaluronic acid and glycerin—two powerhouse humectants that draw moisture into the skin. 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. The formula also includes lauric acid, a fatty acid found in coconut milk that acts as a cleansing agent, with recent studies showing it can help prevent acne-causing bacteria as well.

Tester feedback: “This is my ideal cleanser," says content director Kara McGrath. "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."

Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, lauric acid | Who it’s for: mature skin or anyone who wants a gentle, hydrating face cleanser | Fragrance-free: yes

Universal Cult Favorite: Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Why we love it: Clinique’s Black Honey lipstick has crossed generations, staying relevant for over 50 years with its adaptable, buildable shade. From its ‘70s debut as a potted gloss to its ‘90s reinvention as the slim Almost Lipstick we know today, this iconic hue works for all skin tones and never goes out of style. With its emollient-rich formula that moisturizes lips, it’s easy to see why it's so iconic—ahem, and why it won a Best of Beauty Award. “What makes Black Honey unique is that it's universal—it's perfectly between a warm and cool tone,” makeup artist Jewels Grogan told Allure. It’s no wonder the Black Honey shade has expanded to a lip and cheek oil and mascara in 2024.

Tester feedback: “Even after hearing about all the hype about this lippie, I honestly didn’t think I’d like it. I’m a bold lipstick stan and so I thought the pigment levels just wouldn’t fulfill my standards—but I don’t mind being proven wrong once in a while," says commerce editor Sarah Han. “Black Honey lends a cute, very-much-visible tint from the first swipe and because it has a soft, balmy texture, I can apply and touch up without a mirror. It’s a purse essential."

Key ingredients: castor seed oil, vitamin E | Who it’s for: all skin tones looking for a moisturizing sheer, yet buildable tint | Shades: 2 (Black Honey, Pink Honey)

For Serious Hydration: Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

Why we love it: True story: The Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion was a mainstay on both my mom’s and grandmother’s vanities 20 years ago. It was the first beauty product I ever used, and even now, I still keep it in my rotation. Over the years, Clinique expanded the line to 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 staple humectants that draw in moisture—it hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy, keeping skin balanced and feeling comfortable throughout the day.

Key ingredients: glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, caffeine | Who it’s for: oily and combination skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Volumized, Stay-Put Lashes: High Impact Waterproof Mascara

Why we love it: If there’s one smudge-proof 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 and founder of LL Hair & Makeup, told Allure. The tapered brush grabs every lash, defining and lengthening without clumping or flaking. The result? Long, fluttery lashes that stay put.

Key ingredients: lipids | Who it’s for: sensitive eyes, and those who want defined, fluttery lashes that don’t smudge | Shades: 2 (Black, Black/Brown)

Glowing, Radiant Skin: Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum

Why we love it: A brand new 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.

Key ingredients: vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid (5%) | Who it’s for: dull, flat skin, or uneven texture | Fragrance-free: yes

Dark Circles, Be Gone: All About Eyes Eye Cream

Why we love it: If your undereyes need a little extra love, All About Eyes Eye Cream is the answer. The lightweight, silky eye cream formula sinks in fast, leaving skin hydrated and smooth—never greasy. Peptides and milk-derived growth factors help keep skin firm, while caffeine tackles puffiness and wakes up tired eyes. And with vitamin C in the mix, dark circles may start to look a little brighter over time. It layers perfectly under makeup, too, creating a smooth base for concealer without creasing or pilling.

Key ingredients: vitamin C, whey protein, caffeine | Who it’s for: dull, tired, or puffy eyes | Fragrance-free: yes

A Gentle Exfoliation: Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion

Why we love it: Breakouts don’t stand a chance with the Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion in the mix. Powered by 1.5% salicylic acid—a favorite chemical exfoliant of dermatologists and yours truly—it helps clear out clogged pores and sweep away dead skin cells before they can turn into stubborn acne. At the same time, silica absorbs excess oil, keeping shine under control without leaving skin feeling tight or dry. It’s the perfect reset button for oily and breakout-prone skin—helping to smooth and keep future flare-ups at bay. Just swipe it on post-cleanse, follow up with a hydrating cream to mitigate dryness, and let it do the work.

Key ingredients: salicylic acid (1.5%), silica | Who it’s for: acne-prone and oily skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Redness Neutralized, Acne Covered: Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup

Why we love it: A foundation that covers breakouts without looking like it’s even there? That’s the magic of Clinique’s Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup. It evens out skin tone, blurs redness, and controls shine while still feeling weightless. This foundation’s finish is matte, but never flat, so skin looks smooth and natural—not cakey. It’s packed with a low 0.5% dose of salicylic acid to help clear pores and keep future breakouts in check, along with lactobacillus ferment, a probiotic with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe acne-prone skin. Red algae extract further calms irritation, making this foundation as much about treating skin as it is about covering it. The result? A natural, matte finish that lasts all day without caking or clogging pores.

Key ingredients: red algae extract, salicylic acid (0.5%), lactobacillus ferment | Who it’s for: skin that struggles with redness and acne-prone skin | Shades: 24

Meet the experts

• Jewels Grogan, a New York City-based makeup artist
• Lauren Lumsden, an Austin-based makeup artist and founder of LL Hair & Makeup

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best Clinique products, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read 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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