Clinique

Corporate brand

An Estée Lauder cosmetics brand built around dermatologist-led, allergy-tested skincare, makeup, toiletries, and fragrances.

Last updated August 31, 2026

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Overview

Clinique is an American prestige beauty brand owned by The Estée Lauder Companies. It makes skincare, makeup, toiletries, men's grooming products, and fragrances, and is commonly distributed through upscale department stores, specialty beauty retailers, clinics, travel-retail channels, and direct-to-consumer websites. The brand is positioned around a clinical and accessible approach to beauty rather than the overtly decorative image traditionally associated with luxury cosmetics. The concept behind Clinique emerged from a 1967 Vogue article, “Can Great Skin Be Created?”, written by beauty editor Carol Phillips with dermatologist Norman Orentreich. The article argued that a consistent skincare routine could materially improve the appearance and condition of skin. Evelyn Lauder, a member of the Estée Lauder family, saw the article and helped recruit Phillips and Orentreich to develop a new brand. Clinique launched in April 1968 at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York with 117 products. It was presented as the first major allergy-tested, dermatologist-driven cosmetics line and introduced a structured three-step routine: cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing. Evelyn Lauder played a central role in naming and commercializing the brand. She encountered the word “clinique” in Paris and believed it communicated both clinical credibility and French beauty culture. She also helped establish the brand’s visual identity, including the white laboratory coat worn by Clinique consultants. The brand’s retail counters and consultant-led product recommendations made scientific language, skin typing, and regimen selling central parts of its customer experience. Clinique expanded beyond its original skincare system into color cosmetics and fragrance. Aromatics Elixir, introduced in 1971, became one of its signature fragrances, while Happy, launched in 1997, became one of its most recognizable modern fragrance franchises. Its skincare portfolio has included moisturizers, cleansers, exfoliators, anti-aging treatments, acne products, eye care, sunscreens, and products aimed at uneven tone. Makeup has included foundations, concealers, mascaras, lip products, blushes, and eye cosmetics. The brand has also developed dedicated men's grooming and skincare offerings. The brand has used dermatological positioning in several ways: products are generally promoted as allergy tested, many are fragrance free, and product development is organized around skin concerns and routines. These claims describe the brand's testing and positioning framework, not a guarantee that every user will avoid irritation or allergic reactions. Clinique has also pursued medical and professional channels. In 2008, it announced a partnership with Allergan that produced Clinique Medical, a five-product line distributed through physician offices and intended for pre- and post-procedure skincare concerns. Clinique's recent visibility has been shaped by digital culture as well as traditional prestige retail. The Black Honey shade in Almost Lipstick experienced a major social-media resurgence in 2021, introducing the product to a new generation and encouraging extensions of the shade into other lip and eye products. The brand entered the metaverse in 2022 through an NFT-related campaign. In 2024, it announced a partnership with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to establish a research dermatology centre. Clinique remains an active global brand within Estée Lauder's portfolio, combining regimen-based skincare, color cosmetics, fragrance, professional products, and digitally amplified heritage products.

History

Clinique's origins lie in the growing postwar interest in scientifically informed skincare and in a 1967 Vogue article titled “Can Great Skin Be Created?”. Beauty editor Carol Phillips wrote the article with dermatologist Norman Orentreich, presenting skincare as a routine involving systematic cleansing, exfoliation, and moisturization. Evelyn Lauder, who was involved in the Estée Lauder family business, read the article and recognized an opportunity to create a cosmetics brand organized around dermatological expertise rather than conventional fragrance and glamour marketing. Phillips and Orentreich were recruited to help develop the concept. In April 1968, Clinique debuted at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York with 117 products. The launch was framed as the first allergy-tested, dermatologist-driven cosmetics line. Its signature proposition was a three-step routine adapted to different skin types and consumer goals: cleansing, clarifying or exfoliating, and moisturizing. This system gave the brand a simple retail education tool and helped turn individual products into a repeatable regimen. Evelyn Lauder was instrumental in shaping the brand's identity. She selected the name Clinique after seeing French references to “Clinique Esthétiques” during a visit to Paris. The name was intended to suggest a fresh clinical sensibility while retaining an association with French beauty expertise. Lauder also served as Clinique's training director and was the first person associated with the brand to wear its now-familiar white laboratory coat. Clinique consultants subsequently used the coat and skin-consultation format to reinforce the brand's scientific and professional image at retail counters. Clinique was the third brand developed within the Lauder portfolio, following Estée Lauder and Aramis. It expanded from its initial skincare proposition into fragrance and cosmetics. Aromatics Elixir arrived in 1971 and became a signature fragrance, while the Happy fragrance franchise was introduced in 1997 and became one of the brand's most recognizable products. Over time, Clinique broadened its skincare assortment to include moisturizers, cleansers, exfoliators, sunscreens, anti-aging products, acne care, eye treatments, tone-evening products, and products for men. Its makeup business grew across complexion, lip, eye, and color categories. A notable extension into professional skincare followed a 2008 partnership with Allergan, then known for aesthetic medicine and Botox. The resulting Clinique Medical line was sold through physician offices rather than ordinary department-store channels. Its five products were designed for pre- and post-operation use and addressed concerns such as redness, tightness, burning, irritation, and discoloration. The brand's later history illustrates the interaction between heritage products and digital culture. Emilia Clarke became a brand ambassador in January 2020. In 2021, Black Honey, a shade from Almost Lipstick, experienced a substantial social-media revival. The renewed attention turned a long-established product into a viral discovery and led Clinique to extend the shade into other formats, including lip oil and eyeshadow in 2024 and lip liner in 2026. Clinique also experimented with digital ownership and virtual environments through a 2022 metaverse and NFT campaign. In 2024, Clinique announced a research partnership with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to establish a dermatology research centre. In March 2026, it launched Unstoppable Together, described as the brand's first creator-led campaign, featuring gold medalists Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall. Clinique continues to operate as a global Estée Lauder brand, combining prestige distribution with a clinical visual identity, dermatologist-associated product development, skincare routines, makeup, fragrance, and professional channels.

2026
Unstoppable Together campaign launches
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Clinique introduced a creator-led campaign featuring Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall.
2024
Mount Sinai dermatology research partnership
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Clinique partnered with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to establish a research dermatology centre.
2022
Metaverse and NFT initiative
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Clinique launched a metaverse presence and an NFT campaign.
2021
Black Honey becomes a social-media phenomenon
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
The Black Honey Almost Lipstick shade received renewed viral attention and became a major example of Clinique's heritage products finding a digital audience.
2020
Emilia Clarke becomes ambassador
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Clinique appointed Emilia Clarke as a brand ambassador.
2008
Clinique Medical is announced
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
A partnership with Allergan produced a physician-office skincare line for pre- and post-procedure use.
1997
Clinique Happy launches
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
The brand introduced Happy, which developed into a major Clinique fragrance franchise.
1971
Aromatics Elixir launches
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Clinique introduced Aromatics Elixir, which became one of its enduring signature fragrances.
1968
Clinique launches at Saks Fifth Avenue
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Clinique premiered in New York with 117 products and introduced its dermatologist-driven, allergy-tested positioning and three-step skincare system.
1967
Vogue article inspires the brand concept
[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Carol Phillips and dermatologist Norman Orentreich published an article about whether a systematic skincare routine could improve skin, providing the conceptual foundation for Clinique.

Products and positioning

Prestige beauty with a dermatologist-led, clinical, allergy-tested, fragrance-conscious, and regimen-based approach to skincare and makeup.

Skincare regimen · 1968
3-Step Skin Care System
Clinique's foundational regimen combines facial cleansing, exfoliation or clarifying, and moisturization. The system was designed to make skincare understandable at the retail counter and to organize products around skin types and desired outcomes. It remains the clearest expression of the brand's routine-based and dermatologist-associated positioning.
Moisturizer
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
A core Clinique moisturizer associated with the brand's three-step system. It represents Clinique's emphasis on straightforward daily hydration and is marketed as part of a broader regimen rather than solely as a standalone luxury product.
Lip makeup
Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is a sheer, buildable lip product and one of Clinique's best-known heritage makeup offerings. Its renewed popularity on social media in 2021 made it a prominent example of a long-running beauty product being rediscovered by younger consumers. The Black Honey color concept was later extended into additional formats.
Fragrance · 1971
Aromatics Elixir
Introduced in 1971, Aromatics Elixir is one of Clinique's signature fragrances. It broadened the brand beyond skincare and remains an important part of its fragrance heritage.
Fragrance · 1997
Clinique Happy
Launched in 1997, Happy became one of Clinique's most recognizable fragrance franchises. Its role helped establish fragrance as a substantial part of the brand's product portfolio alongside skincare and makeup.
Professional skincare · 2008
Clinique Medical
Clinique Medical was developed through a partnership with Allergan and distributed through physician offices. The five-product line was intended for pre- and post-operation skincare and addressed concerns including redness, tightness, burning, irritation, and discoloration.
Skincare and complexion makeup
Even Better
Even Better is a Clinique product family associated with uneven skin tone and complexion. It illustrates the brand's practice of organizing skincare and makeup around specific consumer concerns rather than treating cosmetics as purely decorative products.
Makeup remover and cleansing
Take The Day Off
Take The Day Off is Clinique's cleansing and makeup-removal franchise. It supports the brand's emphasis on a complete routine by placing removal of makeup and impurities before subsequent skincare steps.

Marketing campaigns

2026Unstoppable Together
Global
Described as Clinique's first creator-led campaign, Unstoppable Together featured gold medalists Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall and represented a new approach to ambassador and creator partnerships.
Outcome. Positioned the brand around creator-led representation and athletic achievement.
Source
2022Metaverse and NFT campaign
Global
Clinique used a metaverse initiative and NFT campaign to experiment with virtual environments and digital collectibles as part of its brand engagement strategy.
Outcome. Expanded Clinique's digital experimentation beyond conventional beauty marketing.
Source
2021Black Honey social-media revival
Global
Organic social-media attention revived interest in Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick shade. The episode turned an established product into a digitally driven cultural and commercial success story.
Outcome. Renewed demand and later shade extensions into additional product formats.
Source
2020Emilia Clarke brand ambassador program
Global
Clinique appointed Emilia Clarke as a brand ambassador, connecting its established clinical beauty positioning with a high-profile international entertainment figure.
Outcome. Expanded ambassador-led brand visibility.
Source

Brand decisions

2026
Black Honey lip liner launchGeneration change
Background
Clinique continued expanding the Black Honey shade family after its renewed digital popularity.
Action taken
The brand added Black Honey to its lip liner range.
Aftermath
The shade became available across another coordinated lip product format.
Source
2024
Dermatology research partnership with Mount SinaiStrategy
Background
Clinique continued to reinforce its dermatological and research-oriented identity.
Action taken
The brand formed a partnership with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to establish a research dermatology centre.
Aftermath
The partnership connected the brand with an academic medical institution and expanded its research-facing profile.
Source
2024
Extension of the Black Honey franchiseGeneration change
Background
The Black Honey shade received renewed attention after its 2021 social-media revival.
Action taken
Clinique extended the shade concept into lip oil and eyeshadow products.
Aftermath
The decision converted a viral heritage product moment into a broader multi-category product platform.
Source
2008
Move into physician-office skincareStrategy
Background
Clinique sought to extend its clinical positioning into professional and aesthetic-medicine settings.
Action taken
The brand partnered with Allergan to develop Clinique Medical, a five-product pre- and post-operation skincare line.
Aftermath
The line was made available through physician offices and addressed post-procedure concerns such as redness and irritation.
Source
1997
Launch of Clinique HappyProduct launch
Background
Clinique continued developing fragrance as a major category alongside skincare and makeup.
Action taken
The brand launched Happy.
Aftermath
Happy became one of Clinique's best-known fragrance franchises.
Source
1971
Expansion into fragrance with Aromatics ElixirProduct launch
Background
After establishing Clinique as a skincare brand, the company broadened its business into fragrance.
Action taken
Clinique introduced Aromatics Elixir.
Aftermath
The fragrance became one of the brand's signature offerings.
Source
1968
Launch of the three-step skincare systemProduct launch
Background
The founders sought to translate dermatological advice into a department-store cosmetics proposition that consumers could follow as a routine.
Action taken
Clinique launched with cleansing, exfoliating or clarifying, and moisturizing steps across products adapted to different skin types.
Aftermath
The routine became the central organizing principle of the brand and a durable retail education model.
Source

Recent events

2026
Clinique adds Black Honey to its lip liner range[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Product launch · Product generation
Clinique added a Black Honey shade to its lip liner assortment.
2026
Clinique launches Unstoppable Together creator-led campaign[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Campaign
Clinique launched what was described as its first creator-led campaign, featuring Olympic medalists Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall.
2024
Clinique partners with Mount Sinai on dermatology research[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Other
Clinique formed a partnership with New York's Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to establish a research dermatology centre.
2024
Clinique expands Black Honey into additional product categories[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Product generation · Product launch
The brand extended the Black Honey shade concept into lip oil and eyeshadow products.
2024
Clinique and Mount Sinai establish a research dermatology centre[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Other
Clinique formed a partnership with New York's Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to establish a dermatology research centre.
2022
Clinique enters the metaverse with an NFT campaign[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Campaign · Product launch
Clinique launched a metaverse initiative and an associated NFT campaign.
2021
Black Honey gains renewed social-media popularity[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Campaign · Product generation
The Black Honey shade from Almost Lipstick experienced a viral resurgence on social media, driving renewed attention to a long-running Clinique product.
2020
Emilia Clarke becomes a Clinique brand ambassador[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Campaign
Clinique appointed Emilia Clarke as a brand ambassador.
2020
Emilia Clarke becomes a Clinique ambassador[1]Cliniqueen.wikipedia.org
Campaign
The actor joined Clinique as a brand ambassador.
2020
Clinique appoints Emilia Clarke as global brand ambassador[3]Clinique appoints Emilia Clarke as global brand ambassadorpagecreative.co.uk
Campaign · Leadership change
Clinique appointed actress Emilia Clarke as a global ambassador. Her activity included promotion of the Even Better makeup range and associated digital and influencer marketing.

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