Clinique vs iS Clinical — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
8.7/10 · Clinique
| Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm | Cleansing Complex | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Clinique | iS Clinical |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Editor Rating | 8.7/10 ★ | 8.3/10 |
| Category | cleanser | cleanser |
| Texture | Solid balm-to-oil | Gentle gel cleanser |
| Finish | Soft, fully unmade-up | Clean |
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| Verdict | The cleansing balm that taught the West how to oil-cleanse before K-beauty arrived. Take The Day Off has been Clinique's quiet hero since the 2000s — a fragrance-free, mineral-oil-rich balm that melts the most stubborn waterproof mascara, SPF, and tinted skincare without leaving anything behind. The texture is firm-balm-to-clear-oil, not the silky melt of Banila Co or Beauty of Joseon, but it removes more makeup, faster. For sensitive eyes (it's ophthalmologist-tested) this is genuinely the best in class. Boring packaging, perfect product. | iS Clinical's daily-cleansing entry point — gentle gel cleanser with willow bark (natural salicylic acid source), sugar cane (natural AHA source), Camellia oleifera (white tea), and Centella asiatica. The dermatologist-and-spa-favorite low-irritation daily wash that doesn't strip the barrier or trigger reactive skin. Pairs perfectly with the brand's actives-led treatment serums — lets you run Active Serum or Pro-Heal without compounding irritation from the cleanse step. |
