Product Review: Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

With very sensitive and somewhat oily skin, it can be difficult to find a moisturizer that won't irritate, cause breakouts, or leave an oily layer of lotion on your skin. If you're like me, you've found that most lotions either don't fully absorb, leaving your skin feeling damp and looking shiny, or that the lotion is initially absorbed very well, but later on in the day it seems to come back to the surface, making your makeup sticky and your face feeling just as shiny as ever. If this sounds like you, Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel may be just the product you've been looking for.

This gel version of Clinique's well-known Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion differs from the original product in that it is much lighter and very easily absorbed. After cleaning your skin with your preferred facial soap and toner, you can use the gel, and it will be quickly absorbed, leaving a non-greasy, very natural feeling on your skin. Over the course of the day, your skin will stay moisturized, but not greasy or shiny, making this the perfect lotion for wearing underneath makeup.

You can purchase the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel from clinique.com or from any Clinique retailer (such as Dillard's or Macy's). It comes in a 1.7 fl. oz. tube for $11.50 or a 4.2 fl. oz. pump for $23.

If you have sensitive skin, I recommend using the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel as part of Clinique's three-step plan, using their mild Liquid Facial Soap first, followed by the Mild Clarifying Lotion. Both are very easy on your skin, with very little fragrance and won't sting or burn.

If you need extra help with puffiness and dark circles around the eye area, Clinique suggests using this product with the All About Eyes Rich eye cream. You put the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel on first, give it a moment to absorb, and then put the All About Eyes Rich eye cream on top of it. The gel helps the eye cream become absorbed. After a week of using this combination, I saw a definite improvement in the skin around my eyes.

In spite of all of the pros of this product, there is one thing that Clinique could to do to improve both the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Gel. It currently does not offer any sun protection. If they added a bit of sunscreen to the formula, but could maintain its lightness, this lotion would be perfect.