Clinique is a company known for taking a clinical approach to skin care and have a wide range of different products to cover every known skin care issue. Their 3-Step Skin Care System is designed to be an easy skin care routine that can be customized to fit your particular skin care needs.

In this review, we will be taking a better look at one of the products in the 3-Step Skin Care System, the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+. This powerful moisturizer gets deep into the surface layer of the skin to add moisture and create a protective layer to keep that moisture in throughout the day. Read on for an in-depth look at the product itself, its active ingredients, application instructions, similar products, and more.


Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ at a Glance

Texture

The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is a lightweight lotion that dispenses out of an air pump container. It has a rich, creamy consistency that isn’t too thick to spread across the skin. The product absorbs into the skin relatively quickly, so you’re not left with a layer of grease lotion top of your skin all day.

Fragrance

There is no fragrance in the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, as Clinique knows that it can cause issues to customers with sensitive skin. However, some of the ingredients do give off a faint smell that’s vaguely medicinal in nature. The smell is not very noticeable once applied, and dissipates entirely after a few moments.

Packaging

The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is packaged in a very simple plastic bottle. The bottle is transparent, allowing you to see the yellow lotion inside. Attached to the bottle is a silver plastic air pump where you can dispense the product. We weren’t particularly thrilled with the packaging on the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, but we do appreciate the use of air pumps over less sanitary options such as glass jars.


​Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Active Ingredients

The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ has a few active ingredients that work to keep your skin moisturized. It uses a variety of humectants, which are important ingredients that absorb moisture from the air that can be then soaked into the skin for better hydration. Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients that give the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ its powerful moisturizing effects.

Petrolatum

Petrolatum is an emollient, which are ingredients that are known to soften or soothe skin. It is a thick substance derived from crude oil and highly purified to provide superior moisture in skin care products. Petrolatum products can also help replenish the skin’s outer layer, which helps protect against outbreaks and inflammation.

Mineral Oil

Mineral oil is also derived from a refined crude oil and serves as another effective emollient. This product has been used for hundreds of years to alleviate dry skin and is actually the main ingredient of baby oil. Although it is oil, the molecules of mineral oil are too large to penetrate the surface layer of skin. This means that the mineral oil is unable to seep into the skin and clog pores. Instead, it provides skin with extra moisture and leaves it feeling clean and healthy.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a common humectant that can come from vegetable, animal, or synthetic sources. It is a natural component found in the skin and works to help it retain moisture in dry conditions. Glycerin has many other benefits, such as protecting the skin from the environment or improving skin’s resiliency to irritants. This product is considered to be non-allergenic, so its suitable for use with all skin types.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium hyaluronate is a salt derivative of hyaluronic acid, a popular ingredient found in moisturizing products. Hyaluronic acid is a carbohydrate molecule that is naturally produced by our bodies to help keep the connective tissues on our joints and skin lubricated. It can be used in skin care products to help hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The molecule is too large to get past the surface layer of skin, so it instead sits on top of the outer layer to provide continuous moisture.


Sodium hyaluronate is a smaller than the hyaluronic acid molecule, which allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin. These smaller molecules are also known to hold up to 1000 times their own weight in water.

Urea

This is another moisturizing ingredient that is naturally produced in our bodies and works as a part of our natural moisturizing factor. It has the ability to hold onto water molecules and creates a protective barrier on the skin to prevent the loss of moisture. It is also known to accelerate cell renewal, leaving skin looking youthful and healthy.

​Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Application

The Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is part of Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care System, which was designed by their dermatologist teams.

​The 3-Step Skin Care System starts with their Liquid Facial Soap, which is used to gently clean any dirt and oil from the face and neck area.

​Once cleansed, Clinique suggests you exfoliate using their Clarifying Lotion Exfoliator. This product helps reduce oil and dry patches at the same time and preps the skin for moisturizer. There are 5 versions of this formula, designed to cater to all skin types.

​The final step in Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care System is the moisturizer, where the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ comes into play. Each application of the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ only takes about 1-2 pumps to completely cover the face.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Immediate Results

We tested this product out using the entire line of Clinique’s 3-Step Skin Care System to ensure the best possible results. In the first few days of using these products, we noticed an immediate hydration boost. Skin isn’t left feeling greasy after application, which we appreciated. We did notice some sun sensitivity, but this can easily be remedied by adding a product with SPF to your skin care routine.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Long Term Results

​After a few weeks of using the Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System, we noted that skin felt soft and supple. There’s a noticeable difference in moisture content, particularly for those of us with combination skin types. Those with dry skin types said that they often felt the need to add another layer of thicker moisturizer over the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+.


​​Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Pros and Cons

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ Pros


  • Combination Skin Savior. We found that the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is great for combination skin types. The powerful formula works to diminish oily areas of the skin, while also restoring and moisturizing any dry patches. This makes it a great lotion for those of us who can’t find the right balance between the two needs.
  • Holds Moisture Well. Not only does the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ add moisture to the skin, it also helps strengthen protective barrier meant to keep moisture in. The humectant ingredients help skin to absorb moisture from the air to be slowly distributed across the top layers of skin. This helps keep moisture inside, and helps rebuild the natural moisture barrier.
  • Lightweight. While heavy lotions might seem like the best option for moisturizers, they can often clog pores or leave heavy residue on the skin. The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is very lightweight, so it soaks into the skin in under a minute.
  • Easy to Apply. The other issue with thick lotions is the inability to evenly spread the product across the skin. The light formula of the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is thin enough that you can spread a thin layer over the entirety of your face using only one or two pumps.
  • Allergen Tested. Clinique dedicates itself to providing customers with skin care products that are fragrance and allergen free. This means that anyone can use their products without the worry that their skin will break out into an allergic reaction.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ ​CONs


  • Not Great for Very Dry Skin. While the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ does provide a lot of moisture, it’s just not enough for those with very dry skin. Those with dry skin may find that they’ll need to apply an additional layer of moisturizer to substantially quench their skin.
  • Not Great for Very Oily Skin. The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ does have some oil-based ingredients, which can leave already oily skin feeling even greasier than before.
  • Unattractive Packaging. While packaging doesn’t make the product, we wish that Clinique could have made the packaging on the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ a bit more attractive. The square design is uninspired, and the pale yellow of the lotion doesn’t look particularly appealing.
  • Expensive. This product is expensive when compared to similar products on the market, especially when you add in the cost of the other products from the 3-Step Skin Care System.

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The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ comes in two different sizes on the Clinique online store: a 50ml tube or a 125 ml full-sized bottle with pump. The 50ml tube sells for $14.50, while the larger 125 ml bottle is $27.00.

You can also purchase the product at a Clinique reseller, such as Sephora. There they also sell additional sizes, including a 15 ml tube for $5 and a larger 198 ml value size bottle for $39.


​​Other Similar Products

There are three other moisturizing products in the 3-Step Skin Care System that are worth looking into. Each product has its own benefits and is designed to be suited for specific skin types.

The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is specifically made for users with combination oily to oily skin. It is a light oil-free moisturizer that aims to help balance the oil levels on the surface of the face to leave behind soft, smooth skin. It absorbs into the skin quickly, leaving no residue behind.

clinique dramatically different hydrating gel

The Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly is a lightweight hydrator that can be used with any skin type. It has a lightweight water-jelly formula that works for up to 24 hours with Clean Shield Technology, which locks in moisture while keeping out irritants. It is an oil free product, so you won’t have to worry about it clogging up your pores. Clinique’s in vitro testing has proved that the Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly makes skin 87% less vulnerable to pollution.

clinique dramatically different moisturizing cream

While not technically part of the 3-Step Skin Care System, the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream is another variation of the product specifically made for drier skin types. It is also useful in dry climates or areas of high elevations. This is a thicker lotion product that provides more moisture that the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ and offers all day protection to save skin from drying out.


​Final Verdict on Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+

The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is a great moisturizer for those with normal to combination oily skin, especially when paired with the 3-Step Skin Care System. It is light enough to spread evenly across the skin with no clumping or pilling, while also powerful enough to penetrate the surface layer to continually apply moisture to thirsty skin cells. We recommend this product to those who are looking for a moisturizer that can alleviate both dry patches and oily areas at the same time.

We don’t recommend this product to those who have either very dry skin or very oily skin types. Those with dry skin will find they are much better off with the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream, as its thicker consistency offers greater hydration for dried out skin. ‘

Customers that have trouble with the over production of oil, as the oil-based ingredients in the product may leave skin feeling greasy. Instead, we recommend trying out the lighter Dramatically Different Moisturizing gel.

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