Clinique

Clinique is a prestigious skincare, makeup, and fragrance brand founded in 1968 in New York by The Estée Lauder Companies. It was the first dermatologist-created cosmetic brand, emphasising allergy-tested and 100% fragrance-free products designed for all skin types and concerns.

Clinique’s mission is to provide safe, effective formulas in simple routines that deliver remarkable results, catering to men and women of all ages and ethnicities worldwide.

Clinique products are sold in approximately 140 countries and are known for their scientific approach to skincare, including recent ventures into virtual experiences and partnerships with medical institutions for dermatology research.

The brand continues to evolve while maintaining its founding principles of quality, safety, and inclusivity.

Short history of Clinique

Clinique was founded in 1968 as a revolutionary skincare brand that transformed the beauty industry by introducing a dermatologist-driven, allergy-tested approach to skincare.

The idea originated from a 1967 Vogue magazine article titled “Can Great Skin Be Created?” written by beauty editor Carol Phillips and dermatologist Norman Orentreich. The article promoted a three-step skincare routine- cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturise- tailored to individual skin types, which was groundbreaking at the time. Evelyn Lauder, an executive at Estée Lauder and daughter-in-law of Estée Lauder herself, read the article and saw the potential for a new brand.

She created the Clinique name, inspired by the French word “Clinique Esthétiques”, and helped develop the product line. Clinique was launched in September 1968 at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York with 117 products, marking the first full-line launch of a skincare brand focused on different skin types and personalised care.

Over the years, Clinique has expanded globally and continued innovating, including launching a medical skincare line in partnership with Allergan in 2008 and entering the Metaverse with an NFT campaign in 2022.

In 2024, Clinique partnered with New York’s Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to establish a research dermatology centre, further cementing its commitment to science-driven skincare.

What is Clinique all about?

Clinique set new standards in the beauty industry by emphasising science and dermatological expertise. Since its founding in 1968, Clinique has been committed to creating products that are allergy tested, 100% fragrance-free, and free from parabens and phthalates, ensuring they are safe for all skin types and tones.

Sales consultants wore white lab coats, and the brand introduced a diagnostic tool (the Clinique Computer) to help customers identify their skin type and select appropriate products. This personalised approach was unique and helped establish Clinique as a trusted prestige beauty brand worldwide.

Clinique rigorously tests its products, having conducted over 6 million allergy evaluations to date. If any allergic reaction occurs, the formula is reformulated to maintain safety standards.

The brand also emphasises scientific research and innovation, exemplified by its partnership with the Mount Sinai-Clinique Healthy Skin Dermatology Centre, which focuses on advancing allergy science and skin health. In addition to skincare, Clinique integrates technology into its makeup products, ensuring they are safe for eyes and nourishing for lips, designed for diverse skin tones and types.

Clinique also commits to ethical practices, including a strong stance against animal testing, supporting non-animal testing alternatives, and maintaining transparency with consumers.

The company fosters community and inclusivity through initiatives like the Clinique Co-Lab, which promotes dialogue and diversity in the beauty industry.

What do they have to offer?

Clinique offers a wide range of products primarily focused on skincare, makeup, and fragrances, all developed with dermatologist guidance and allergy testing.

Moisturisers and face creams include bestsellers like Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, which hydrate and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier.

Eye care features All About Eyes Eye Cream with Vitamin C to reduce puffiness and dark circles. Cleansers and exfoliators such as All About Clean Liquid Facial Soap and Clarifying Lotion gently cleanse and exfoliate.

Collections and serums target visible signs of ageing in their Anti-Aging and Wrinkle Fighting products, while products designed to soothe and calm visible redness and blotchiness are included in the Redness Solutions line.

Foundations like Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer and Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser are also available, alongside lipsticks such as Dramatically Different Lipstick Shaping Lip Colour.

Additionally, they offer cheek products like Cheek Pop Powder Blush, eye makeup essentials, and makeup removers.

Clinique also provides a selection of fragrances and gift sets, often featured in new arrivals and seasonal collections.

What is the user experience like?

The Clinique site aims to create a user-friendly shopping experience while fostering stronger connections between consumers and the brand.

The site personalises the user experience by allowing visitors to share their skin concerns and favourite shades, which tailors product recommendations accordingly.

It offers customisable filter options to streamline product selection by preferred shades and formulas.

The site incorporates over 70 interactive elements that enable users to browse, discover, and shop in a way that suits their preferences. This includes tools like the Foundation Finder and Skin Diagnostic, which provide customised recommendations quickly on mobile or tablet devices. With a single click, users can connect with online consultants for expert advice, replicating the personalised service found at physical Clinique counters.

The website uses a responsive design, ensuring seamless navigation across devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. This reduces confusion when switching between devices.

Clinique maintains an active presence on several major social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, where they share marketing insights and engage with followers, post about dermatologist-guided skincare solutions and makeup, brand campaigns, and share beauty trends, tutorials and product information.

What are the prices like?

Clinique offers a wide range of skincare, makeup, and fragrance products with prices varying by item and set.

All About Eyes Eye Cream with Vitamin C is $42.00, Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm is $44.00, Wrinkle Fighting Routine set is $84.00, and Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream is $65.00.

Exclusive Anti-Aging Duo: Smart Serum + Eye Cream is $72.50, Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10% is $88.00, and Happy Duo Fragrance Set is $150.00.

Clinique frequently offers value sets and discounts of up to 40-60% on select products and gift sets on their website. Customers get 15% off their first order and various other perks when they join their Smart Rewards programme.

What are their shipping options?

Clinique offers several shipping options for the United States. Their international customers can find their regional store for them on their location page, and all these regional sites have their own shipping.

For United States customers, free standard shipping is available on any order of $50 or more (after discounts, excluding eGift cards, sales tax, and shipping fees). Standard shipping costs $8 if the order is under $50. 2nd Day Air (2 business days) is $15, and Overnight Air (1 business day) is $25.

Clinique Smart Rewards orders always ship free with standard shipping, and orders containing only Clinique Gift Cards also ship free.

Conclusion!

Clinique is a well-known company which offers a variety of skincare, makeup, and fragrance products tailored to different skin types and concerns, including sensitive skin-friendly options.

Their site combines a modern, clean aesthetic with functional, personalised, and interactive features to create an engaging and informative online shopping environment for skincare and beauty products.

The brand offers high-quality products but has room for improvement in availability and ingredient transparency.