Clinique 3 step ..

[Rexy]

Work in a/c and have oily skin so just invested in the above as a no 3. Trying to see what helps also trying Neal's Yard as it's organic.

I'm paraben and sls free for hair and face.

Keep the receipts for Clinique - you can take it back if it doesn't help. I've spent and wasted a fortune on 3-step over the years desperately wanting it to work for me but it just makes my face feel two sizes too small. I know they've recently changed the DDML so hope it works for you :)

oh dear, I've a feeling it's going back - I'm so fed up of oil.Not sure if it's the spf 40 that i've put over the 3 step as I'm prone to pigmentation

I'm a 3 and have used 3 step for ages, although I use a different moisturiser most of the time now. It worked for me - I had acne till I was 24 and I haven't had it since I started 3 step.

I find the normal 3 step systems very harsh on the skin, but the anti-blemish one is very good.

How about getting a mattifying primer instead? Laura Mercier has the secret finish one (which I really like), Smashbox has one too (their primers are very good) and there are loads more from other brands.

Clinque is known for its harsh 3 step programme. I have heard the strongest toner removes nail varnish and the girls use it to clean down their counters. What about a mild face wash (Liz Earle) then a gentle toner and perhaps a moisturiser for oily skin. Clairns do a nice one - avoid Clearsil.

Eucerin currently have a risk free purchase offer. Buy their products from a selection and use for six weeks. If no good, you will get a full refund.

Items eligible for a refund

Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Toner
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Scrub
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Cover Stick
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Cleanser
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Hydrating Care
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Active Night Care
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Active Concentrate
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Hydrating Care SPF 30

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Even if you are not interested in getting your money back, the products are nice. I am loving the concentrate. The scrub is ok and so far the two daytime moisturisers I bought are also nice.

You could try the cleanser and the toner.

I worked for clinique for 7 years.

3 step is good... but the "toner" (clarifying lotion) isn't a toner at all, it is an exfoliator. You can get similar results removing make up, using Apri scrub from st ives and then washing your face with a suitable face wash. Then applying either nivea oil free or astral depending on skin type.

Been doing that for years. Even when I had 65% discount.....

I'm so sorry to sound bossy but please don't use Apri scrub on anything if it's that thing with splintery kernels in it, certainly not an oily face. It's far too harsh and abrasive.

I tried the anti-blemish one but it completely dried my skin out so I wouldn't recommend. What someone above wrote about their face feeling two sizes too small is about right.

Closetcat- I guess everyone is different, I have the oiliest skin ever (skin type 4 in clinique) and have been to a specialist prior to using apri scrub etc and been on duac creams and anti biotics... the ONLY thing that helps my skin is the anti blemish scrub from apri, and believe me after working for 7 years for clinique and 3 years for chanel and subsequently in senior marketing for cosmetics, I've tried everything. Absolutely everything.

I really do believe different things suit different skin types! :)

I think the best way to regulate oily skin is to stop stripping it. Try using a treatment oil at night - counterintuitive but really works. Clarins ones are magical. £28ish and will last 6 months. And would second Liz Earle cleanser (it's cream though) as a balancing cleanser, remove with a warm soft cloth and you don't need a separate exfoliator - if you prefer a foaming cleanser, Jurlique balancing foaming cleanser. Oil free moisturiser in the morning, oil free sunscreen (you could try mineral powder) and a few drops of face oil at night, either on its own or added to a basic cream.

fairylea you're so right - everyone IS different.

I'm pleased it worked for you but I wouldn't use it on my saucepans

Clinique 3 step made my skin noticeably worse. I was a number 3 too. It stripped my face so my skin would over produce oil to replace it. The toner would make my skin feel like it was burning. Try going to Caroline Hirons website to see what she advices on keeping skin clean. Also have a look on YouTube to watch a video she did with pixiwoo and see what she has to say about foaming face washes on oily skin - apparently it's the worst thing for them. I wouldn't go near 3 step ever again and that's after a spending a lot of money with them.

Keep hold of that receipt!

Can oil free skin really exist as I'm sick to the back teeth with it.

At night I use a Neal's Yard organic cream and the new Estée Lauder serum, my skin is not oily in the morning so maybe my night time routine is ok ?

I had the worst skin of my life using Clinique - huge red painful spots " its the toxins coming out" Then they sold me spot cream as well ( didn't work)
Same with the OCM - ruined my skin.

I use a gentle cream cleanser ( burts bees) and rinse off with a warm flannel.
No spots no wrinkles no sore dry patches - result

As a teenager I had horrible skin, very very sensitive and constantly irritated. Spots and redness.

I used to use clearasil (was too harsh), clean and clear (stung terribly), neutropenia clear pore lotion every night and tea tree oil stick things. Then I tried calamine lotion, sudocrem,germolene and witch stick.
My skin got more sensitive, spotty and red.

Then I stopped and started washing my face only in the evening with a fragrance free face wash and a flannel and using simple moisturiser and within a few weeks the improvement was immense and my skin was a lot less oily.

The Clinique stuff burnt my face when I tried it (as did toothpaste when I tried it after hearing it was good for spots).
If my face ever gets dry or sore now I use avene recovery cream for a few days.

Neutrogena I meant!

Nighttime routine sounds good OP. What are you doing to cleanse? And forgive the impertinence - your age, roughly?

My age is 43 no wrinkles or lines just oily t zone HELP !

No wrinkles or lines! doing better than me at 30 serves me right for smoking for so long

Now then tell about your cleansing please, that is the key [stern]

Was washing with Elemis hot cloth system, lavender toner and Origins SPF 35 = oily t zone .

Noticed this morning that after cleansing & toning my nose looked shiny but was squeaky clean - weird ! This was with using Clinique and be gore moisturiser !!!!

clinique worked for me ... and worked better when I stopped step two. the toner is really harsh but god or a clean out now and then IMO. I am 40 and get crappy skin still, but have found what makes the biggest difference is using a scrublet with any kind of face wash. I now can't afford clinique

Yes, please don't use toner if it isn't working, even if you have oily/combination skin. Just simple water followed by a serum/moisturiser on oily skin can work wonders sometimes. It sounds wrong but it stops the skin over-producing sebum and mucking the natural production up.

Hmmmmm. Ime anything too abrasive or too much hot water is going to stimulate oil. Also ime Origins products are dreadful, though I know people who love them.

So maybe simplify to one step with the Elemis, and be more gentle? Try a few days without the spf and see if that's the culprit?

Prob I have is I think the a/c at work is killing my skin, as I don't notice I'm oily when not there ( I work p/t) . I need SPF because of pigmentation as I'm Asian and prone to it .