Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing LotionClinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion - What they claim: Allergy tested. 100 per cent fragrance free. Winner of Cosmopolitan Beauty Awards 2006.

In reality, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion contains:

  • Proven carcinogens
  • Strong irritants, potential carcinogenic
  • Potent allergens, unsafe for use on sensitive skin

Full list of ingredients: Water (Aqua Purificata) Purified, Mineral Oil (paraffinum liquidum), Sesame (Sesamum Indicum) Oil, Propylene Glycol, TEA Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Lanolin Alcohol, Petrolatum, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

UK/EU Version of Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion contains more of natural ingredients but is abundant on triethanolamine. Still, European version is so good, free of parabens, and rich in antioxidants (I will post a diligent comparison of US and European Clinique formulas soon), I could see myself buying it if European Clinique gets rid of triethanolamine which is carcinogenic and therefore a no-no for me (and for any other reasonable human).

Still, beware if you are in the USA and Canada: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, Clinique's best selling moisturizer contains abundant amounts of mineral oil (liquid paraffin) and petrolatum (petroleum jelly). Mineral oil, a generally safe liquid mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum, is not a moisturizer per se. It forms a film on the skin's surface which retards water loss and allows the skin's surface to rehydrate itself. At the same time mineral oil clogs pores and halts the skin's perspiration. This can lead to breakouts and aggravate eczema and dermatitis.

Also, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion contains TEA (triethanolamine) stearate that can form cancer-causing nitrosamines. highly comedogenic lanolin alcohol, also known as "sheep alcohol" or "wool alcohol", and potentially irritating propylene glycol. And to speak of natural oils, sesame oil is quite comedogenic - any chance to swap it for something less pore clogging?