Clinique's dramatically different moisturizing gel vs. Merlot's Grape seed Moisturizer

The Department Store Version:
Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (DDMG)

Product Claim: "Combination oily to oily skin. Clinically formulated. Allergy tested. 100% fragrance free. This oil-free formula works to soften, smooth and improve the texture and condition of your skin. Apply twice a day. For best results, use after Facial Soap and Clarifying Lotion." (on the bottle)

"The oil-free moisture “drink” developed by Clinique’s dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for skins comfortable in the cheeks but oily in the T-zone or oily all over. Oil-free formula softens, smooths, improves. 4.2 fl. oz. " (clinique.com)

Ingredients: Water Purified, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Peg-18 Methylether, Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Caffeine, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria), Polysilicone-11, Silica, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate, Oleth-10, Laureth-23, Laureth-4, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium-Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Yellow 5, Red 4, Yellow 6

Size: 4.2 fl oz (125 m)

My Duration of Usage: About 1 yr on and off. I haven't used this in a while actually.

Review: This is actually my second purchase of this moisturizer. I loved it during my first tube and then opt for the pump version after the tube version was used up. It's super lightweight but I can only recommend this to people who are only slightly dry because this does not moisturize if you're super dry and flaky. It drys/absorbs quick leaving my face super soft and smooth. Although, after a few hours, my oil glands kick in and my face feels dirty. I also love the natural ingredients in this, but I wish there were less chemicals and preservatives. From looking at the list, it seems like there's more chemical than natural. It doesn't bother me too much, but it may bother some. Also, this did not seem to break me out. But because of the price, I don't think I'll be repurchasing this again because I think I found a cheaper alternative.

Likes:

• Light weight on the skin.
• Face feels smooth after it has dried/sunk into the skin.
• Non-scented (although there is a hint of a plastic-like Dimethicone or grain-like scent Hordeum Vulgare which I actually do like)
• Love the pump bottle because it makes it more hygienic.
• Didn't break me out
• Has caffeine in it to "wake up the skin"
  

Dislikes:

• Kind of on the pricey side
• Not moisturizing enough for someone who is majorly flaky.
• No SPF version
• Leaves my face kind of shiny.
  

Price: $24.00

Where to buy: clinique.com, sephora.com, major department stores such as Macy's, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales

My Rating: 7/10


The Drugstore Version:
Merlot's Grape Seed Moisturizer (GSM)

Product Claim: "Paraben free. All natural. Made in USA. Natural. Anti-wrinkle, Antioxidant." "Merlot is made of natural red grape seed polyphenols. It offers sensational antioxidant properties thereby helping to inhibit the aging process. Merlot is fragrance free, non-oily, absorbs quickly." (on the jar)

Ingredients: purifided water, petrolatum, stearic acid, vitis vinifera (grap seed extract, cetyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, symphytum officinale (comfrey) leaf extract, alo barbadensis leaf juice, tocopherol (Vit. E), dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, carbomer, grape seed mask, sodium hydroxide, methylisothiazolinone

Size: 4 fl oz (118 ml)

My Duration of Usage: About 1 month. Use during the day and sometimes at night.

Review: After watching Iamgrape's youtube video on this, I became very intrigued by this moisturizer. Not only are most of the ingredients good for you (at least it looks that way), but it was relatively cheap. It absorbs nicely into my skin and it smells wonderful because of the natural grape extracts. I actually wish the scent lasts longer, but after several minutes, the scent disappears. I also love the fact that it helps with wrinkles and is a great antioxidant. My skin really feels hydrated when I wake up the next morning. When I rub this between my fingers, I noticed it absorbed/dried a lot quicker than the DDMG. Also it feels a lot smoother too. But of coures, finger skin is different than face skin. On my face, the DDMG feels smoother and less tacky than the Merlot GSM, but the GSM I feel moisturizes better.

One thing I do not like about this is the packaging. Since it's in a tub, air is constantly going in, slowly deteriorating the product. Also, I have to dip my fingers in the product and that's unsanitary, too. Because of this I have found a travel size pump at a Diaso store (love this Japanese dollar store... well not everything is a dollar, but it's like the Japanese version of a dollar store) to put this in so air and bacteria isn't constantly being added to the product. I love this pump because it's the type of pump where it "vacuums" up the product instead of through a straw so there will never be air inside. The pump cost I think, $1.50. I guess it's not bad of a price considering it's hard to find travel size pumps that look this good or work this well for travel. I leave this on my desk where I do my makeup, and I also put this in my toiletry bag when I travel for several days.

I love this moisturizer so much that I decided to fill a sample size jar up so I can put this in my makeup bag so I will always have this moisturizer everywhere I go.

Likes:

• Majority of the ingredients can be found in nature.
• Smells so delightful.
• Doesn't make my face look shiny
• Slightly thicker than the DDMG and to me this helped moisturize a lot better.
• Price (gives about the same amount as the DDMG but 9 dollars less)
  
• Hasn't given me breakouts yet.
• Comes in a SPF version as well as a night cream version (which costs more).
• Light weight on skin.
  

Dislikes:

• Packaging

Price: $14.99

Where to buy: Walgreens

My Rating: 9/10