i use number 3 its a great toner

By Clinique's definition, if you're cheeks feel "comfortable" (neither shiny or dry feeling) you are a skin type 3.
You should use Clarifying Lotion 3, but many people with skin like yours start with #2 and bump up to #3.
Also, clarifying lotion 2 contains menthol, which can be drying or irritating to some people, so just keep that in mind as well.

I'm oily all over and use this #3. At a Sephora store, they will give you a small sample of each to try if you ask! Maybe that would be a good start for you. I'm extremely oily and my skin (even tho I'm over 50) holds up very well with this #3 toner. You do have to get past the strong smell. But I do like this stuff and my skin responds positively to it.

I have the same kind of skin. I used the purple #2 toner for awhile but I started breaking out in the beginning of summer and felt like I needed something stronger. I went with this one and I can't imagine using another one. It picks up so much more dirt than the #2 and it doesn't dry you out.

If you have acne I recomend three becuse it has salicytic acid in it and is very gentle. But if you just need a little oil control and what not get 2. But id your skin is sensitive you might want to try the 2nd one. Good luck!!!

Start off with #2 and work up to #3 for better exfoliation after 6-8 months.

My skin sounds similar to yours-- oily t-zone and normal (neither dry nor oily) cheeks-- & I use #3. The product was first suggested to me by a Clinique consultant at a department store who looked at my skin and said that clarifying lotion 3 would be right for my skin. I use it daily and love it!

go to clinique's website. there is a quiz you can take that will tell you the correct option

If you go to clinique.com, you can click the "my skin consultation" link at the top of the page, then it asks you questions and uses your answers to determine which number and skin type you are.

Sounds to me like you need #2 toner. This stuff is for oily skin. It's very good for breakouts too.

I would try the second one and if thats to harsh try the first. If there both to harsh they have one for sensitive skin too.

Clarifying Lotion number 3 may be too much exfoliation for you right now. You might be better off with number 2 to start with and then "step up" to the number 3 later. Exfoliation is like exercise and you shouldn't start off with 50 sit ups, just maybe 5-10. Swap out the #3 for the #2 and you'll have better results.

I do not use a cleanser.

I use a Swissper's cotton pad and go over my face until the pad shows no dirt.

I haven't used it with other skin care products. I did use it by itself (when I was too lazy to use the 3 steps) after I used a wet washcloth to remove makeup and I definitely saw the difference on the cottonball as well as the next morning. My skin didn't look as refreshed. It is best to use the 3 steps in my opinion.

you can use a different cleanser, but i would advise to use the step 3 clinique moisturizer with this lotion, especially for this kind of skin, since it regulates my skin perfectly. i have tried other moisturizers, even from clinique also, but they always felt too much and too greasy

I use Philosophy cleanser, Clinique #3 toner and Clinique oil-free moisturizer and it seems just fine. I do not feel you have to follow the 3-step regime if you have a cleaner & moisturizer you like.

Yes!!! I use this product and none of the other and I feel it works better!!! The cetaphil cleanser reminds me of the clinique one but cetephil works better for me!!

you use a cotton ball

I'm wondering how much your putting on the cotton ball, I myself have not had this problem but I do have very sensitive skin. I use enough to get the cotton ball wet but I don't saturate it in the product. I wish I could be a little more help for you

I never had this problem ... but you should try folding the cotton pad in two. i have been using it for years

Yes, I have noticed this. It happened only when I was using the product more frequently than twice per day, to jump start the blemish-clearing process. Now that I use it only twice per day this no longer happens.

True

Is the young lady your talking about Juicystar07? (aka Blair) Well if you want to buy it with a pump you'll need to go to the clinique counter during the holiday season. At the cliniqu counter it is more expensive but comes with alot more year round. Hop this helped!!!

The pump is great! The lady above is correct - the pump comes with the large size (it's HUGE) clarifying lotion. Right now, it's part of the "Home and Away" holiday set that comes in the silver travel bag. The kit is available at Clinique counters and Sephora for $59.99.

You can get the pump at any Clinique cosmetic counter for a couple of extra bucks with the purchase of any Clarifying Lotion.

Yes. But its not harsh or irritating on my skin.

Yes and that is a good thing. Liquid products without some form of alcohol will sit on the surface of the skin and take longer to dry. The level of alcohol in this is very little and it's a special kind that is non-drying. It makes the product evaporate quickly, leaving the skin soft. Be sure to talk to a Clinique Associate to find the right level for your skin though.

there is witch hazel and a small amount (2% i think) of salicylic acid which helps zap any problem breakouts.

My personal experience has been that the skin responds to Clinique within three days. Some products I have noticed an immediate improvement. You just have to try it and see but I highly recommend Clinique.

I've used proactive for few years when it first came out on the market and had great results for awhile until my skin no longer responded to it and began to breakout badly. So I stopped. For a while I steered clear of acne treatments dreading the thought of going through the purging stage again once I start another acne system. So, I can understand where you are coming from. I gave in 2 years ago and started using the Clinique 3 step system. (I'm number 3 FYI). For me, it took about a two weeks to go through the purging phase and my face started clearing up little by little. It's not a miracle worker. I still breakout here and there but it's minor pimples that comes during that time of the month or stress. In my opinion, the 3 step is a great all around starter acne system because it's fairly easy to use and not as abrasive on the skin as proactive. (I had major issues with the proactive because it would peel my skin) >.< In my opinion, you should experiment and see what works for your skin because not everyone's is the same. For me, I didn't really care for the Clinique soap, and the gel (in the 3 step system) so I switched them out with other products that suited my skin better and kept the Clinique clarifying lotion in #3.

Hope that helps!!!

You might... not becuse of Clinique but becuse of Proactive. Proactive adicts your skin to it so its hard to get off of it. It might be bad at first but id just stick through it.

I have tried the new clarifying lotions & find them to be less drying. The result has been fewer breakouts.

Yes they smell the same and feel the same. I dont see a real difference except maybe a bit stronger smell now that the question has been asked. I love my Clarifying Lotion 3 !

I have VERY oily fair skin with minor acne and the Clarifying Lotion (3) helps keep the oil and acne under control without overdrying my skin.

Three is for olier skin and I recomend it over two if you have acne becuse it has salicylic acid. Hope this helped!!!

3 is for skin that is oily in the T-zone, but comfortable to dry in the cheeks. If you feel like a oil refinery on your forehead and the desert sands on your cheeks (like me), this is the one for you.

My skin sound similar to yours and I love this toner!!! At times my skin is normal and at times oily with some breakouts. This toner is the first I have ever used which does not over dry my skin where it is normal and yet does a good job reducing oily zones. I would highly suggest this product!

1 is for dry skin, 2 is for dry to comfortable, 3 is for comfortable in the cheecks and oily in the T-Zone, 4 is for very oily