Is Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ worth it? Who it suits, and who should skip it
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is Clinique's yellow moisturiser and the final step of its 3-Step routine. This is a research-based guide rather than a hands-on test. It covers what's in it, how to use it and who it's worth it for, using Clinique's own product information and UK retailers' listings.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ 125ml
What works
- Fragrance-free, and free of parabens, phthalates, drying alcohol and sulfates, according to Clinique
- Moisturises with glycerin and urea, which help skin hold water, plus pro-lipids to support the skin's barrier
- Simple to use morning and night, and Clinique says a little goes a long way
- A straightforward moisturiser without trend ingredients to get used to
Worth knowing
- Contains mineral oil, petrolatum and lanolin alcohol; they help stop moisture escaping, but some people prefer to avoid them
- Made for very dry to dry combination skin, so oily skin will find it too rich
- No SPF, so you'll need a sunscreen in the morning
- Clinique's headline moisture figures come from its own tests on small groups of women
- Contains sesame oil, so check the ingredient list if you have a sesame allergy
Who it's for
It's worth it if you have dry or dry-combination skin and want a simple, fragrance-free moisturiser you can use morning and night without thinking about it. Skip it if your skin is oily (Clinique's gel version suits you better), if you'd rather avoid mineral oil and lanolin, or if you want SPF or targeted ingredients in your moisturiser.
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is the moisturising step of Clinique's 3-Step routine, which pairs it with a facial soap and a clarifying lotion. You don't need the other two steps to use it: it works as an everyday moisturiser after whatever cleanser you already use.
The formula is built on water, mineral oil, petrolatum and glycerin. Clinique highlights urea and glycerin, which help skin attract and hold water, and three pro-lipids to support the skin's natural barrier. It also contains sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) and barley, cucumber and sunflower extracts. Clinique says it's fragrance-free, and free of parabens, phthalates, drying alcohol and sodium lauryl and laureth sulfates.
Mineral oil and petrolatum are occlusives: they form a light layer that slows moisture loss, which is why this lotion suits dry skin. Some people prefer to avoid them, and the formula also contains lanolin alcohol and sesame oil, so check the ingredient list if you're sensitive or allergic to either.
Clinique's directions are to smooth it over the face and throat, morning and night, after cleansing. It doesn't contain sunscreen, so use an SPF in the morning; Clinique also makes a separate SPF version of the lotion. The link on this page is for the 125ml bottle.
Clinique reports that it increases skin's moisture by 119% straight away and strengthens the skin's barrier by 21% in two hours. Those figures come from Clinique's own tests on small groups of around two dozen women, so treat them as a guide. If your skin is oily, Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel is the oil-free version of the same idea, and if your skin is dehydrated rather than dry, Moisture Surge, which I've also covered, is a lighter gel-cream.
How this page was written: I haven't tested this moisturiser myself. Everything here comes from Clinique's product information and ingredient list, and major UK retailers' listings. If I test it, I'll update this page with a hands-on verdict.
The verdict
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ is worth it if you want a dependable, fragrance-free everyday moisturiser for dry or dry-combination skin, and you don't mind mineral oil and petrolatum, which are part of why it works. If your skin is oily, or you want SPF or targeted ingredients in your moisturiser, choose something else.
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ 125ml
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