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In hopes of optimizing my skincare, I love mixing serums, oils, and creams to create the ultimate combination. So imagine my excitement when Clinique released the new
Clinique iD™Custom Blend Hydrator Collection ($47 CAD for 125 ml). Housed in a unique, patent-pending packaging that keeps the active concentrate in a separate cartridge from the moisturizer base to ensure freshness and integrity, the Clinique iD™ offers 15 different custom blends that target various skin needs and concerns. I've got reviews of a few options from the collection to share with you today. To read on, click......
Packaging:
The Clinique iD™ Custom Blend Hydrator is available in 15 different variations. To start, select from the three available moisturizer bases (115 ml): the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+™, the Dramatically Different Oil-Control Gel, and the Dramatically Different Hydrating Gel (reviewed
here). Next, select from one of the five Active Cartridge Concentrates (10 ml): Irritation (Green), Pores & Uneven Texture (Blue), Uneven Skin Tone (White), Fatigue (Orange), and Lines & Wrinkles (Purple).
It's worth noting that although all the moisturizer bases are part of the core collection at Clinique and can be purchased on their own, the Active Cartridge Concentrates are not for individual sale. When you buy your Clinique iD™ Custom Blend Hydrator, the base and the cartridge are packaged separately and easily assembled. The packaging for the moisturizer base features an extra-wide opening to accommodate the screw-on cartridge so even if you happen to have an original Dramatically Different Hydrating Gel or Lotion at home, it won't be compatible with the Active Cartridge Concentrate.
I'm a sucker for cool packaging so the Clinique iD™ Custom-Blend Hydrator bottle immediately captured my interest. As you can see in the images above, each cartridge contains a sealed compartment wherein the active concentrate is stored. An extra straw extends from the pump so when the dual-nozzle is pressed, the moisturizer base and the active concentrate is dispensed at the same time. I had some trouble getting the active concentrate to dispense properly at first. However, after a few test pumps, both sides came out smoothly. I've not finished any of these to see whether or not the ratio of concentrate to moisturizer is appropriately matched but by the looks of it, a small amount of concentrate is dispensed per pump so the cartridge should last until the very last drops of the moisturizer base.
Formulation:
As all three moisturizer bases (Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+™, Oil-Control Gel, and Hydrating Gel) are pre-existing products, I'll focus mostly on the three cartridges I received here, starting with the
Active Cartridge Concentrate for Fatigue (Orange). Formulated with glycolic acid, caffeine, salicylic acid, green tea extract, Lactobacillus ferment, and taurine (amino acid), the Fatigue Concentrate has a thin runny texture and is tinted orange. I paired mine with the lightweight Hydrating Gel for daytime use and the two offers a brightening, non-greasy hydration that works great as a base for makeup.
Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Caffeine, Sodium RNA, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Adenosine Phosphate, Albizia Julibrissin Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Acetyl Carnitine HCL, Phospholipids, Lactobacillus Ferment, Caprylyl Glycol, Taurine, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Red 4 (Ci 14700), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140).
Next up is the
Active Cartridge Concentrate for Uneven Skin Tone (White). Designed to reduce discoloration and provide a smoother, more even skin tone, this concentrate contains ascorbyl glucoside (a stable form of vitamin C), caffeine, extracts of Japanese Angelica root, apple, cucumber, and a handful of other botanical extracts. The formulation is texturally similar to the other two concentrates with the exception that it is untinted. I paired it one with the Oil-Control Gel and it is hands down my favorite out of the three. I'm not sure if it's just the Dramatically Different Oil-Control Gel that's so awesome or if it's the concentrate that makes the difference but either way, the combination of the two provides a dreamy texture and ample hydration that last all day. Especially since the weather has been dry, the nourishing formulation provides that extra bit of moisturization without feeling heavy or greasy.
Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caffeine, Angelica Acutiloba (Japanese Angelica) Root Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Molasses Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Salicylic Acid, Phospholipids, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Stearic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Taurine, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol.
Last but not least is the
Active Cartridge Concentrate for Lines & Wrinkles (Purple). With whey protein, extracts of sweet almond seed, caffeine, and red algae extract, the Lines & Wrinkles concentrate is runny, lightweight, and purple-tinted. This version promises to instantly smooth the look of skin and help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles with long-term use. I paired mine with the Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly and I have to say that out of the three, this one provided the least noticeable result. The concentrate didn't seem to add much to the already great moisturizer base but its result may be better exemplified with a heavier base such as the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+™.
Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Whey Protein, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Extract, Caffeine, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Micrococcus Lysate, Pullulan, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Taurine, Hexylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Blue 1 (Ci 42090), Red 33 (Ci 17200).
Overall I like this collection quite a bit. I'm all for mixing boosters and concentrates with my moisturizers so the fact that the Clinique iD™ system has everything built-in makes things easy and convenient. If you are already a fan of one (or all) of the three Clinique moisturizers, then it's definitely worth trying as the price difference is only $11 CAD. My personal recommendation is the Dramatically Different Oil-Control Gel + Active Cartridge Concentrate for Uneven Skin Tone (White) for the ultimate lightweight hydration that also works great as a makeup base. Have you spotted this collection in stores? Are you a fan of skincare boosters? Share with me in the comments below!
Availability:
Clinique is available at
Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Hudson's Bay, and
www.clinique.ca.
In hopes of optimizing my skincare, I love mixing serums, oils, and creams to create the ultimate combination. So imagine my excitement when Clinique released the new Clinique iD™Custom Blend Hydrator Collection ($47 CAD for 125 ml). Housed in a unique, patent-pending packaging that keeps the active concentrate in a separate cartridge from the moisturizer base to ensure freshness and integrity, the Clinique iD™ offers 15 different custom blends that target various skin needs and concerns. I've got reviews of a few options from the collection to share with you today. To read on, click......
