As Pep Start continues to roll out, I’ve found a couple of fabulous products and one not so great. Starting off with Clinique Pep-Start Hydrorush SPF20 Moisturiser – I love this oil-free moisturiser for giving an excellent hit of moisture and feeling silky on this skin without any oiliness, meaning if you have dry AND oily skin this is perfect for you. I used it alone and under foundation and it worked well in both circumstances, although it’s a slightly heavier cream than I’d like as a primer or under-base. For once, the UK seems to have launched something before the US because it’s not popping up on the US site. The balance between oil control and hydration is something that not many get right – I don’t have oily skin so in all honesty, it’s hard for me to tell, but Clinique have good history with difficult skin.
I’ve also been playing with the Pep-Start Exfoliating Cleanser (I got too near the magnifiying mirror of doom and noticed my nose pores so have focussed on that area). In terms of both cleanse and exfoliation, I love it – the bottom line is that it did a great job of both without stripping my skin. It’s definitely a keeper and is also oil free. Ironically, despite the bright pink packaging, the product inside is orange. Colour is playing a big part in noticing this range – I love the moisturiser cubes (see also the Pep-Start Hydroblur in a blue cube HERE): I will take a beautiful, bright design any day over a lackluster white tube that looks medical. Skin care isn’t treating an illness so why not have fun with it.
The one new entry from Clinique Pep-Start that I don’t like are the wipes. They smell strongly of alcohol and while they’re supposed to have an exfoliating, oil-slurping element, I just found them very drying and harsh on my skin. They certainly didn’t remove make-up particularly effectively so they can only be used as a post-cleanse cleanse. So, they’re clearly not right for me and unless you have really oily skin, I’d give them a wide berth. On the plus, it does prove that not all wipes are equal – these really are addressing oil issues (witch hazel, clary and gentian root) but I think they’re far too strong on alcohol content to be a regular use product.
Pep-Start Hydrorush Moisturiser is £24, Pep-Start Exfoliating Cleanser is £16.50 and the Wipes are £14. You can find them HERE.
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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
2 comments
I’m currently using Clinique Dramatically Different moisturiser and really like it but it’s almost over and that sounds perfect to me. I will definitely try! I love clinique products anyway, there is always something for everybody.
I’m not crazy about using primers (they actually make my foundation slip all over the place) but the hydroblur products sound promising. Might give this line a go – I’ve never used Clinique but I can’t find a beauty blog that doesn’t include this brand on their recommend list.