Once or twice a week, at night, I use Clinique's Face Scrub, an exfoliate. Somewhat rough in texture, it gives the reviving feeling of removing dead tissue. I always see a positive difference the next morning – my skin looks more robust. Likewise, I use the Body Scrub once or twice a week for the same reason.
As my skin and I have aged, I have begun to use Clinique's Turnaround Lotion to maintain a younger look. Many times I will use M Lotion where I have shaved, and use Turnaround lotion on the areas of my face which tend to be drier, such as my forehead. I have also been using Clinique's All About Eyes (the unisex replacement for Men's Daily Eye Fitness).
On occasion, I use a dab of Clinique's Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel. Unfortunately, I can only use this product at night as it leaves a shiny area where it has been applied.
I recently discovered Clinique's Non-Streak Bronzer. I tried it with some trepidation, as my experience with this sort of product has not been good. Too often, bronzers look artificial – the color is wrong, too dark, or inconsistent. To my delight, Clinique's Bronzer gave me a smooth, natural robust look. Now I apply it nearly every day.
I can't say that I approach Clinique's Happy for Men with the unbridled enthusiasm I have for its other men's products. The scent is not my first choice for a cologne or after shave – it's a little too citrus-like for me. With that said, I have to admit that it has grown on me and I am beginning to use it more frequently.
Clinique Men's Line by my friend Tim Ryerson
As a young adult, I was plagued with oily skin that was prone to breaking out into blemishes. I went through various facial soaps and cleansers. They were uncomfortable, harsh, dried my skin, had a medicinal odor, and didn't solve my problem. Regular soaps, on the other hand, were oily and left a residual film (no matter how much I rinsed) that made my skin problems worse. It was at this time that I discovered the Clinique products for men. The Face Soap, fragrance-free, non-oily and non-irritating, was a true blessing. For the first time, washing my face was a pleasurable, cleansing experience.
An added benefit to the Clinique Soap is that it is reasonably priced and lasts a very long time – unless you have young children who spirit it off for their baths. It also comes in a plastic box that makes it convenient to take on trips.
Now, over two decades later, I am still following Clinique's “3-Step Skin Care” Program (1. Cleanse, 2. Exfoliate, 3. Moisturize). My skin has gone from oily to dry, and I have altered the Clinique products accordingly – for instance, I now use Regular Strength Face Soap rather than the Extra-Strength.
I follow the Face Soap cleansing by using a cotton ball to apply the Scruffing Lotion, an exfoliate available in strengths suitable for dry, normal or oily skin. Unlike other liquid exfoliates that have an unpleasant medicinal smell and leave your skin feeling tight and uncomfortable, the Clinique Scruffing Lotion is refreshing and soothing. Like the Face Soap, the Scruffing Lotion also lasts a long time and comes in a plastic bottle suitable for travel.
I have always been suspicious of moisturizing products. The very thought conjures up unpleasant memories of oily residues with resultant blemishes and blackheads. I have really enjoying using Clinique's M Lotion; it keeps my skin moist without a greasy feeling. I use it as an after-shave lotion as well as a moisturizer for the rest of my face. Just a little bit goes a long way. M Lotion comes in a small plastic bottle (which I prefer for travel) and in a larger plastic tube.
Clinique has two shaving products: M Shave Aloe Gel and Cream Shave. I prefer the Aloe Gel. I like the calming feel of the aqua-colored aloe as it transforms into a rich lather on my face. After using this product, I could never return to shaving foams that dry out your skin. I use the Cream Shave when I have over a day's growth of beard. I also prefer it for travel – it comes in a flip-top plastic tube whereas the Gel plastic bottle has a lid that pops off too easily.