Review: Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System

Above: Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System

(plus arsenal of other skincare products in basket & cotton balls/pads)

Allow me to kickoff by saying a.) I'm so sorry it's been such a long while since my last post, holiday chaos got in the way of my spare time, and b.) happy 2012! I personally am kicking off the new year with a brand new skincare routine which I wanted to be sure I shared with all of you! For Christmas I received the Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System as a gift from my boyfriend's sisters, and have been using it twice daily since Christmas Day (December 25). So, being that I'm about week-ish into my new skincare routine I figured I would share my impressions and things I've noticed. So, let's get started!

As some of you know, those who've been reading my skincare story, I've been on a mission the past few months to explore not only paraben-free skincare solutions, but I wanted to test suggested dupe products for the Clinique system before taking the plunge on something so expensive. (*If you're interested in a skincare story recap, check this out). To compare notes with my previous post, particularly focusing on the facial cleanser and toner products:

• Up until switching over to the 3-Step system, I had been twice daily cleansing with the Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover. I still very much like the Neutrogena product and still regularly use it on my beauty blender in fact. Something I like a little better about the Clinique cleanser is that it foams on my face a bit more, and there's more of a lather thing goin' on whereas with the Neutrogena the formula is a bit more watered-down in comparison. It may be a total placebo thing, but I feel like I'm getting a deeper clean with more of a lather.
• I had also been twice daily applying toner after washing my face with a cleanser using the the Burts Bees Rosewater & Glycerin Toner . Again, I can't knock the Burt's Bees because it was definitely effective while I was using it, but I've noticed a pretty significant leap between the BB and the Cinique toner formulas and Clinique's is far more intense. Something I've struggled with is enlarged pores, and part of the reason I adopted a toner into my routine was to minimize their appearance, and also to combat dead skin. In reading the ingredients on both the Burt's Bees and the Clinique toner bottles the major difference is the inclusion of Salicylic Acid, and boy can I feel it! I've read and heard that Salicylic Acid is the ingredient in Proactive products which is what makes them so desirable.

Everybody has unique skin and unique skin problems – even those who 95% of the time have nice complexions, indeed have problems. I can't complain about my complexion, I know that I'm blessed to have an overall clear face. However, my unique problem is cystic acne. I'm not sure if that's an official term, but it's how I describe my trouble areas. No matter my skincare routine, I've always struggled with acne underneath the skin's surface that is literally painful and typically when it does surface it causes scaring. Not cute. I've never tried Proactive, but this Clinique 3-Step system is the first skincare routine I've ever tried that's noticeably addressing my cystic acne trouble areas! This makes me beyond happy and relieved!!!

I'm trying not to get too excited because I know I'm only a week into using it, and I've been in this spot before – getting prematurely excited about a product and by the end of the month I hate it. Though, I'll admit I like the results so far and have high hopes that I can finally stop the search for new products! Stay tuned ;)

My Skincare Story

^ My skincare army!

To me, there's no better feeling than to perform my normal skincare regimen at-random, just to push the 'recharge' button! (Of course I'm posting this directly after washing my face!) In my mid-twenties (25), I've become almost hyper-aware (or, obsessed - whichever) with taking good care of my complexion. It's been a large goal of mine to revamp my makeup (and skincare) stash, incorporating more and more healthier products whether they contain SPF, are paraben-free, or are just a more quality formula. I'm constantly reading up and checking my YouTube subscriptions for the latest/greatest, because while I don't fear aging one bit I wouldn't mind maintaining a healthy appearance for as long as possible! ;)

So, here's the skinny on my personal skincare regimen and the deets on products I on-occasion rotate in to my routine:

1.) Everyday face cleanser: Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover. I initially bought the product on recommendation from (beauty guru) TiffanyD as a cleanser for my Beauty Blender sponge and figured why not give it a go to wash my face. I love this product! It seriously attacks makeup and dirt, but is a gentle and non-drying.

Props: paraben-free, sulfate-free, organic and hypoallergenic.

2.) Everyday toner (post-cleanser): Burts Bees Rosewater & Glycerin Toner. I picked this up at Whole Foods actually, of all places because I read on makeupalley.com that this product was comparable if not better than the Clinique 3-Step toner, which I was interested in trying at the time. I'm glad I convinced myself to try 'dupe' products before plunging into a pricey skincare situation because it not only smells amazing, it really picks up any leftover dirt!! I swab this stuff to my entire face, avoiding the eye area, using a cotton ball.

Props: paraben-free, sulfate-free, and hypoallergenic.

3.) Everyday moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. Just as the Fall whether began to seep in I rushed to Sephora in search of a moisturizer, where I was met with some convincing in-store signage that pointed to the Clinique product shelves. As someone who often struggles with moisturizers making my skin, particularly my T-zone, out-of-control oily – I opted for the gel vs. the lotion as it specifically hydrates appropriately while considering T-zone oil-control needs. Truth: I will never buy another brand of moisturizer. I love this product and could ramble for paragraphs about how pleased with the results I am upon every use. (I digress.)

Props: sulfate-free, fragrance-free.

Okay, so that's the everyday routine. Now for the on-occasion products:

1.) If I'm wearing a solid amount of makeup from an evening look or special occasion or something, I like to use a makeup remover towelette or liquid product. Each the Target Up&Up brand Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes and Oil Free Liquid Remover work well and are cost-effective alternatives to Neutrogena or Ponds products. The towelettes are also good for travel.

Props: sulfate-free, hypoallergenic. Liquid product also paraben-free.

2.) I'm pretty anal about two focused areas of my face, the first is my nose. Thanks to my Dad's genes I've been blessed with large and visible pores along the bridge of my nose of which I prefer to keep as clean and small-looking as possible. An awesome blackhead treatment product I recommend to anyone who also likes to keep their T-zone pores under control is the Biore Pore Perfect Warming Anti-Blackhead Cream Cleanser. Combined with a teensy amount of water this stuff heats up when you apply it to your skin, but not in a stinging way – in a good way :)

Props: paraben-free, sulfate-free.

3.) The second area of my face that I'm pretty anal about is my under-eyes. I don't typically have issues with puffiness, but I definitely am a victim of some serious dark circles. (Pretty much) nightly I apply St. Ives Cucumber & Elastin Eye & Face Stress Gel to my under-eyes. This product doesn't yield dramatic results by any means but it does enough that it's noticeable. Unfortunately this product is now discontinued, so I'll be in the market for a new dark circles combatant soon. Products I'm keeping my eye on: Clinique All About Eyes Creme, Dr. Dennis Gross Lift & Lighten Eye Cream (*I'm really hoping for a sample of the Dr. Dennis from Birchbox!!)

Props: paraben-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic.

4.) I like the switch it up like twice a week and use a facial scrub vs. a cleanser to really get a deep cleanse on my face. The perfect product that really wakes up your skin is the Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub. I feel like this is the product to thank when I go weeks without a zit. It smells yummy and the texture of this product is perfect.

Props: paraben-free, sulfate-free.

5.) Of course I have to include a mask: I only bust out this product maybe once or twice a month, typically if I've been bad and didn't take my makeup off before bed or something. Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask – this 5-minute mask product is extreme, so beware to those who don't struggle with mildly oily to oily skin – it really sucks oil and dirt outta your pores. I've never used this product as a daily cleanser because I don't struggle with severe acne, but for someone who is younger and suffers from clogged skin I can see how this product would probably benefit them. This product is most definitely effective if you're looking to treat your face to a full-on detox.

Props: *benzoyl peroxide, paraben-free, sulfate-free.

6.) And finally, my tried and true zit-zapper product that I always come back to: Clearasil Overnight Acne Defense Gel. It kinda reminds me of that peel-off nail polish I used to get as a little girl because the gel dries to a peel-off substance once its done workin'. Another totally organic and easy trick to combat a pesky pimple is to make yourself a nice cup of tea and when you're through with the tea bag instead of tossing it in the trash, place it on your blemish until it's cooled and no longer heat-treating. 2-minute miracle I'm tellin' ya!!

Props: paraben-free, sulfate-free, fragrance-free. Best tea options are green or chamomile.

What do you guys think? What products do you love & religiously use?